1964 Pontiac Catalina 2+2

Description

Everyone likes surprises, right? Well, this 1964 Pontiac Catalina 2+2 hardtop is definitely a nice surprise. With the GTOs getting all the attention, who would have suspected that an original Catalina could be so awesome? It packs a rumbling 389 Trophy V8, Wide-Track stance, a gorgeous Sunfire Red paint job over an opulent black interior, and enough provenance to fill a 3-ring binder. And with a great life story to boot, this Catalina represents all that's great with the collector car world. Surprised?

Wearing its correct Code NC Sunfire Red paint, this gorgeous, full-sized 2+2 hardtop has a beautiful look to it. Maybe it's the legendary Pontiac DNA running through its fuel lines, or the stacked headlights up front that defined an era, or the period-perfect color combination, but this car looks like a million bucks. Pontiac designers nailed the proportions, giving the big car a sporty attitude despite being notably bigger than its GTO sibling (120-inch wheelbase coupled with the Wide-Track footprint), which is no minor achievement. Crisp body lines and a minimum of add-on styling gimmicks certainly help with the top-end curb appeal, and today it shows off excellent fit and finish that's pretty much the way the factory did it. Even though the car was repainted several years ago back in 1996, it's been meticulously cared for ever since and still looks great. That's because the professionals that completed the work mixed gallons-upon-gallons of Sunfire Red basecoat/clearcoat, and when they laid it down, the sheetmetal was in fantastic shape. The results speak for themselves, with precise gaps, laser-straight panels, and flush doors, and although some minor signs of use/age can be seen upon closer examination, the majority could be remedied with a buff-and-wax. Quite a feat on a 25+ year-old paint job. All the chrome and aluminum brightwork (some of which took years to locate before it was restored and reinstalled) shines up to a refined luster, which adds genuine sparkle to the overall look, and the white hardtop provides the perfect contrast to the Art Deco-style bottom shade. The grille remains in great shape too, the glass is likely all-original and largely unmarked, and out back those uniquely designed taillights mirror the stacked headlights – a Catalina trademark.

The stylish, luxurious black interior is really why you want to own a Catalina, and the added space provided by a Wide-Track vehicle is really felt inside. Low-back, bucket seats and a factory center console in a luxury car haven't looked this good since the original Buick Riviera, and Pontiac puts its own special twist on it with polished brightwork accents. The Catalina 2+2 package was an added $291 on the original build sheet, and among various options it also brought with it this understated, yet deliciously elegant, gran-turismo inspired cabin. Black Morrokide vinyl on the seating surfaces and door panels looks incredibly sleek, punctuated by the chevron symbol stitched into the seatbacks and the 2+2 emblems in the door panels, respectively. Plush black carpets look fresh, with the only sign of age present on the rear hump that got most of the sun through the years, and the taut, white headliner above provides great contrast to the dark cabin. Upscale woodgrain paneling warms things up, although it's only limited to the dash and the steering wheel so it should never look dated. And speaking of that deluxe steering wheel, it represents the strongest evidence of how carefully this car has been treated since new – barely showing any signs of use while absolutely glistening as the focal point of the cockpit. The brightly accented dash sparkles with crisp, clear gauges that keep a close eye on the engine, the original heater/defrost controls (and yes, it still works!), and even the stock Pontiac Delco Super Deluxe AM radio is still in place, although it will need an upgrade if you want tunes while you're cruising. The rear seat looks largely untouched and is just as comfortable as the front buckets, the Art Deco inspired center console houses a chrome shifter that manages the automatic transmission below, and the black dash top is blemish free. Heck, even the trunk looks like it did in 1964, with stock blue mats and an original spare tire and jack set mounted in place.

The powerful 389 under the hood shows impeccable care and loads of maintenance, and it still absolutely purrs using an original-style 4-barrel carburetor. Pontiac Turquoise engine enamel on the block and valve covers, coupled with the black HD air cleaner, result in an engine bay that looks EXACTLY like it did in 1964, and everywhere you look in the engine bay you see parts that were attended to. A recent starter, master cylinder, and exhaust system means everything is fresh and ready for the road, and with a 306HP rating from the factory and plenty of torque, it cruises effortlessly at just about any speed. Power steering and power brakes drastically improve the driving experience, while the 3-speed automatic transmission shift effortlessly in-and-out of gears and spin a heavy-duty original rear end that can easily handle all the power. It's incredibly solid and clean underneath too, having spent a large portion of its life in California (in fact, when the current owner's father bought this car back in 1996, the seller delivered it to him by driving it 3K miles all the way from California – if that's not confidence in a classic car, I don't know what is), with fresh components throughout. 14-inch wire hubcaps are excellent endcaps, wrapped in 8.5-14 whitewall bias ply tires that finish off the period-perfect look.

So, are you surprised by how much you like this car? Don't be because it really is as awesome as it looks. Loaded with original documentation and a feature article on Hemmings.com, this Catalina represent everything we love about the hobby. Call today!