Building an unpopular classic: my 1964 Pontiac Catalina

Posted November 18 2006 09:46 AM by presidential
Filed under: Miscellaneous, Classic Car Advice

A few months ago, I picked up my first classic car project. Until that time, I was mostly a late model kind of guy. I've had a plethora of fast late model Mustangs and even a few turbo'd imports but nothing that was truly against the grain. Nothing really oddball. I've always been searching for that unique car that nobody (in their right mind) would build. In my quest to find something non-standard, I came across a 1964 Pontiac Catalina.

• Get a Free Quote

• Find a Local Dealer

At first, I was overwhelmed. I hadn't seen one of these things out on the road in maybe 10 years at least so I knew that parts were going to be scarce. I didn't find out how scarce until about a month ago. None of the popular restoration companies make anything for this car, not even a gas tank (which I need...badly). At least it has a 455 from a 76 T/A under the hood (which it needs as well) and a TH400 to back it up. It hasn't run in what seems like more than a fortnight (more like almost 6 years) but at least the motor still cranks over. The interior is all there and smells like your feet after mowing 4 acres of grass with a push mower. Teal house carpet does a stunning job of covering up a rust hole in the driver's side floorpan. Rust is also the major theme of the car's exterior patina.

It looks like crap. But hey, I kinda like it. It has the kind of patina that doesn't come in a paint can.

So over the past few months, I've figured out why there are so many 69 Camaros and 65 Mustangs out on the road. The answer is simple: parts availability. You can practically build one of these cars from a mail order catalog or from your findings online. This is all fine and good but I have already had too many cars that others have classified as "belly buttons."

All in all, I think I am just going to fix the major rust holes with patch panels, hit them with gray primer and let it ride. Some people may think that it's a piece of crap and that's fine. It will be my piece of crap and there won't be another one like it out there in the sea of jelly-beans.

~ Craig A.

Share This

Reader Comments:

1. As far as I'm concerned you are a visionary. I just bought a 1967 Catalina. My body man laughed at me, but I don't care. You don't see them anymore - probably because they were not really high interest cars. It took me several years to find one in fairly good shape for a decent price. Now that I have it, it's going to be rebuilt and done right.

When you start reading about these supposedly big "land yachts", you will find that the stripped models like mine are only 3,800 pounds. Now that's pretty close to being a lightweight. Mine doesn't have any fluff, but I don't want any either. I have had a heck of a time finding parts for mine too, so I share your grief.

Good luck with what you are doing. I share your enthusiasm for the Catalina. You will have a great car when you get it done.

bowser59 - Posted November 21 2006 01:09 AM

2. You're right about the weight for sure. The new Shelby GT500 weighs in at 38xx lbs and it's nowhere as large as what I have.

Thanks for the comment! :)

presidential - Posted November 21 2006 01:08 PM

3. I too applaud each and every enthusiast of classic vehicles in their attept to preserve and restore any and every piece of historic automotive icons, but the obscure classics need to be preserved as well.

With that being said, I am looking at purchasing a 68 Riviera that has all of the bells and whistles like P/S, P/B, A/C, Power windows, Power Seats, Power Antenna, tilt wheel, cruise control, and on and on. It still has the original 430 automatic drivetrain and runs strong and drives great. The downside of it is that it is rusted on the quarters on both sides and the front fenders aren't much better.

But this car has so much to offer, I hate to pass it up as it is one of those kind of cars that you never see everyday or ever, even at most car shows. How many friggin' Mustangs, Camaros, or Chevelles can one person look at every car show coming and going. The problem is that parts for these obscure classics no longer exist and those that do are begrudginly expensive.

Larry Daisey of Rancho Riviera flat ou

wheelieguy - Posted November 23 2006 11:29 PM

4. My last bit was cut off, so here is the rest. Larry Daisey of Rancho Riviera flat out told me that I would have a helluva time finding parts for this car as there are so few parts left. He told me that he had to have two parts cars to fix his wife's 69 Rivera and even then, he still had to find other parts elsewhere. I hope to find out if any of his Rivera buddies can find anything out for me before I make a purchase of this car.

Any words of encouragement?

Thanks,

Wheelie

wheelieguy - Posted November 23 2006 11:31 PM

5. Oh man, a 68 Riv? Those cars are so cool looking that yours has to make it back on to the road. My philosophy is to just get the vintage iron back out there on the road regardless of how you think it looks. As with my car, unless you have an unlimited budget, the car isn't going to be perfect unless the project is stretched out over 20 years or so. I figure that instead of making it perfect, drive it while you're working on it.

Cars like ours were born to do that.

~Craig

presidential - Posted November 29 2006 01:10 PM

6. Hey Craig - That's what I'm doing with mine too. If I wait to get it all put together it could take me till retirement. I want to enjoy the thing so my plan is to hit the bad places on the body first, then do the engine, then relax and have fun with it for awhile. Yea, those are tall bills but where my car is rusting isn't good and it needs to be fixed asap. The motor has got 200,000 miles on it and it runs, but it's got to at least be opened up and checked. After that, she is on the road. Too often I have gotten into projects where you end up being a slave to the project, and you lose focus on why you started it to begin with. So I am firmly with you on your "drive it while you fix it" philosophy. It's dead on target.
Bowser

bowser59 - Posted November 29 2006 06:25 PM

7. So are 66 Catalina parts hard to find as well?
A guy locally has a 66 Catalina convertible that he's selling. Motor is done has a new(er) top, although the rear window needs to be replaced. The rear quarters look rough, so I'm wondering if I'll be able to find panels.

ericbecky - Posted December 15 2006 07:48 AM

8. I just bought a 67 catalina today. It is totally rust free and has under 100,000 miles. The 400 2bbl and turbo 400 are rebuilt and it even has working a/c. The interior is great, but it needs some exterior cosmetic parts. I need the lettering that spells "catalina" on both of the front 1/4 panels and a rear bumper. Does anyone know of a parts catalog out there for catalinas???

cougar12 - Posted May 19 2007 09:45 PM

9. Ames Performance Engineering has 1967 front fender letters for the Catalina. They also have a free catalog for full size Pontiacs. The part number is PC171Y. The price is $79.00 per set. The web address is www.amesperf.com to see the online catalog.

pontiacnut - Posted October 16 2007 06:36 PM

10. Bigtime Pontiac fan here, freelance writer for Muscle Car Review, etc.

You have a really cool car to start with! First step mis to get with people who have some of the same cars. Look up Pontiac Oakland Club International (POCI) for their excellent newsletter/magazine which has a great big want ad section every month.

Also look at the history of CC! Back in the day they had LOTS of mild customs, mostly home-built, that looked really good. Shave the trim, fill some holes, use some color, have a blast! I see that thing with most of the trim gone... Think '64 Grand Prix... with a few tweaks for the cruiser image.

Maybe... Paint the grille and the texture of the headlight doors a dark charcoal, maybe find a T/A shaker hood scoop, perhaps even color keyed bumpers or at least painted to minimize their size.

You might even want to hire a concept artist to draw up some low-buck visuals. those can really light you nup! Most of all, hang in there! You have the bones of a great car there, bring it back! Keep us posted!

RICKR442 - Posted May 27 2008 01:37 AM

Add a Comment: (Must Be Registered)

User Name

Not Registered?
Signup today

Password

Comment