1959 Pontiac Catalina

1959 Pontiac Catalina Hardtop 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 Pontiacs 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 doesnt 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 doesnt 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 drivers 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 dont think weve seen before, and its all in great shape. Patina on the steering wheel doesnt detract from its futuristic shape and the instrument cluster may have inspired the Jetsons 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 Pontiacs 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 Jetsons car, its 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, its over the moon with excitement! Pontiac wouldnt 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 Americas 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 skys 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 (thats 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.