Vehicle Description
1959 Pontiac Catalina Hardtop
"In steel and glass and in spirit, Pontiac '59 lifts driving beyond
mere transportation and gives it new life and zest. You'll feel
real enjoyment in even routine day to day driving, a relaxing break
in a busy day. And if leisure is an important part of your leisure,
Pontiac is bred as no other car to help you get more out of living.
No wonder people going places are going Pontiac!" From the 1959
brochure that touted wide track wheels, full circle glass, seats
wider than a sofa, cross country cargo space, and much more!
For consignment, a 1959 Pontiac Catalina hardtop showing 67,009
which are not actual. Just as it did throughout its manufacturing
span, Pontiac created a brand recognition with particular focus on
the nose of the car and in '59, every car shared essentially the
same fascia with Pontiac's telltale beak or point between mirror
image grilles.
Exterior
The jet age is alive and well with this long car sporting aircraft
inspired shapes and trim, but that doesn't deter Pontiac from
giving the car the rubberstamp front grille, dual headlights, fine
mesh inward facing twin grilles, and razor straight chrome bumper.
Then, as if contracted by the Air Force, the wide hood wears an
aerodynamic V in the sheet metal, flanked by torpedo shaped fender
ornaments that trail back as if in flight. The curved front
windshield, domed rear window, and long side windows are akin to a
jet fighter canopy, topped by a Cameo Ivory roof that seems to
float over the Canyon Copper acreage of bodywork below. A midline
body trim piece doesn't just end abruptly like your "average" car;
on the Pontiac it sweeps back as if mapping a high G-force turn of
a jet, just below a torpedo shaped protrusion in the sheet metal
under pointed fins. And that takes us to the back where a
spectacular design includes jet engine afterburners dressed as
reverse lights under a double edged wing underscored by glowing red
ovals and a striated rear panel over a bumper that continues the
theme with wing-like flares. Spectacular! Overall, the paint
appears in original condition and includes rock chips, scratches,
other chips, bubbles, scrapes, and areas with surface rust.
Interior
Our outer torpedo is replicated in the pattern of the tan vinyl
insert in the brown patterned vinyl of the door panel which takes
on a bit of a bronze sheen. In a stunning and somewhat daring
design choice the split bench seat, cream vinyl over plaid cloth,
takes on an elongated accent piece in brown on the passenger side
only, backed by the cream upper that slants up to the driver's
seat. Then the back bench, dressed in the same materials, places
the accent on the other side embedded in a slanted vinyl upper
reverse of the front, a treatment we don't think we've seen before,
and it's all in great shape. Patina on the steering wheel doesn't
detract from its futuristic shape and the instrument cluster may
have inspired the Jetson's car in 1962 with silver cylinders
protruding from a shiny brown, curvaceous cove. Knobs and vent
controls are on the lower dash while an AM radio, controlled by the
same space age knobs, lives in the center of the wide dash. The
brown loop carpet could use some freshening and the original
appearing rubber mats, while cool, have seen better days as well.
Meanwhile, the headliner looks good, and the huge trunk wears a
plaid vinyl mat that has had some obvious use over the years.
Drivetrain
A driver quality engine bay houses a date- correct 389ci V8 fueled
by an Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor while a 4-speed automatic
Hydramatic transmission sends power to the 3.23 geared axle out
back. Drum brakes are found front and rear.
Undercarriage
Like the rest of the car, the underside is clean and presents in
original condition. The ball joints look newer and the dual exhaust
is clean and intact, intersecting a pair of glasspack style
mufflers before snaking over the rear axle and dumping discreetly
under the back of the car via downturned chrome tips. We note a
drop of fluid on the trans pan, and some oil on the flywheel cover,
but the oil pan is dry. Surface rust appears slightly throughout
and also makes an appearance on the bottom of the doors. Suspension
is made up of coil springs in front and a 4 link with coil springs
in back.
Drive-Ability
Wide track wheels indeed and that creates a wide interior with
plenty of room, confirming Pontiac's claim of "seats wider than a
sofa". This is a cruiser, not a canyon carver, so straight ahead
tracking is very good with decent power from the 389. Visibility
rivals that of The Jetson's car, it's off the charts good with
skinny pillars and a fishbowl-like windshield. Things we note not
working include the radio, the wipers, the horn, the clock, and the
reverse lights. All other functions, limited as they are, work as
intended. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions
were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee
these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
Listen up, Elroy, this car is far out! I mean, it's over the moon
with excitement! Pontiac wouldn't adopt the "we build excitement"
for another 30 years, but with this Catalina, they were all about
exciting features, daring design, and a not so subtle nod to
America's space race. That this car was considered a normal
commuter car is quite astounding today, because the detail and
craftsmanship is...out of this world! This is one we rarely see and
can be driven as is or get a little bump in aesthetic improvements
to bring it into the show quality realm. As they say, the sky's the
limit! Up, up and away with this fine '59!
159K28322
1-Catalina
59-1959
K-Kansas City, KS Assy Plant
28322-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
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