Frame Up Restored Catalina Convertible 421 V8

It's not often that a super nice mid 60s full-size Pontiac rolls into our RK Motors Charlotte showroom, and when one does it's usually snatched up as soon as we post it to the website. Both collectable and powerful, these performance-bred boulevard bruisers were some of the quickest Detroit metal on the road 40 years ago, and today they're some of the coolest collector cars on the market. Benefitting from a recent $50K restoration, this solid 1965 Pontiac Catalina packs a powerful 421 cubic inch V8 into stylish convertible that will attract stares wherever you go.

Despite being delivered to Burnett Pontiac in Cincinnati Ohio, this Catalina spent most of its life in the south. During the recent restoration, all of the cars original, rust free body panels were straightened and aligned to better than factory standards by a professional body shop. Once the steel was straight, a fresh coat of correct GM code N Burgundy Red was sprayed on the car and buffed to the smooth shine you see here. At the front of the car, trademark 60s Pontiac twin grilles are detailed in silver, trimmed in straight and show ready stainless and divided by a peaked center section that features a satin finished Pontiac arrow head. At the edges of the grille, vertically stacked and chrome trimmed T3 headlights sit under hooded fenders and are housed in cool finned metal housings. Below the grille, a showroom fresh chrome bumper spans the width of the car's front end and holds new square marker lights at the edges of a lower air intake. The rolled hood runs from the stainless trimmed grille to correct optional dual speed stainless wipers and features a chrome shark fin style ornament that complements chrome “Pontiac” script mounted on its driver's side. Behind the hood, a chip free windshield is housed in nice looking stainless that appears to be buffed original equipment. Connected to the top of the windshield is a correct white vinyl top that features a glass rear window and is lined with more original buffed stainless all the way around its convertible boot.

New for 1965, the profile of this full-size Pontiac features flowing sheetmetal molded in the form of the popular 'Coke-bottle' shape that was prevalent on most 60s era muscle cars. The skirted rear fenders feature chrome “Catalina” scripts and have a pronounced lower ridge which visually widens the car to give it a sportier look and lend credence to Pontiacs Wide Track marketing campaign. At the front of the car, red, white and black inlayed “421” emblems sit above a chrome front bumper which wraps around the front corners to meet new stainless wheel well trim on the front fenders. Behind the front wheels, dent free stainless rocker strips run down the lower body lines of the car to meet the rear bumper. Optional stainless door guards run down the edges of the doors and combine with a chrome antenna, chrome rear view mirror and chrome GM door handles to add brightwork to the deep red paint. At the back of the car, another show worthy chrome bumper incorporates correct optional reverse lights and sits below a finned rear valence that features a centered “Pontiac” script and pristine tail lights below a trunk mounted satin finished Pontiac arrow head.

Under the hood you'll find a Tri-Powered 421 cubic inch V8 that came from the factory with 356 horsepower and enough torque to melt any drag strip. Developed from the hugely successful Pontiac Super Duty race engines, this torque monster was completely rebuilt during the restoration and is no slouch even in this full-size five passenger ragtop. Topping the motor is a correctly painted black air cleaner that features a correct AC decal and utilizes two snorkels to send air into three carburetors. Those carburetors ride on a correctly painted intake manifold that is bolted to a correctly painted engine block. At the sides of the intake, correctly painted heads that wear correct chrome valve covers, and behind the intake a correct points distributor sends power into correct Packard wires that snake around correct long branch performance exhaust manifolds. At the front of the motor, a correct radiator sits under a correct shroud that features a nicely placed “421” emblem. On the right side of the motor you'll find a correct reproduction Delco battery and hardware for the cars optional power steering and optional power brakes. The engine bay is all dressed up properly, with fresh satin black paint, correct radiator support decals, new hoses and belts, and even correct hood insulation.

Underneath the car, a new for 1965 Turbo-Hydramatic transmission sends power to a reliable 8.75 inch limited slip rear end that is complete with a correct metal maintenance tag. Holding that transmission in place is a newly rebuilt heavy duty suspension that is held together with stainless hardware and includes correct spiral shocks. Housed within that suspension is the cars correct optional 'Wonder Touch' power steering and correct optional power brakes that are fed by new stainless brake lines. The cars original floors are covered in a thin coat of undercoating to guard from moisture and the frames distinct lack of pitting suggests that this was never a rusty car. The bottom of the car is exceptionally clean thanks to its recent rebuild and even features a new stainless fuel tank with new stainless lines and correct factory chalk marks on the front and rear suspension. That said, the under carriage isn't over-detailed, because with the monster 421, you're definitely going to want to drive this car. Exhaust is handled by a 2.5 inch aluminized system which shows no signs of rust and gives the car a deep, aggressive sound. At the corners of the car, famous 14 inch Pontiac eight lug wheels wear silver paint and correct stainless trim rings and “Pontiac Motor Division” center caps. Mounted to those wheels is a nice set of 225/75 Mastercraft red line radials.

Inside, this car has been restored with a correct code 297 black vinyl interior that is the ideal complement to the Burgundy Red paint. The optional custom front seats and rear bench, which includes a cool finned chrome center section have been professionally restored and feel as firm and comfortable as the day they left the factory. Along with correct satin finished Fisher seat belts, those seats anchor to fresh black carpet that is protected by heavy duty rubber floor mats that feature silver trimmed Pontiac arrow heads. Above the floor mats, chrome trimmed pedals hang below a classy looking dash which mirrors the design of the front of the car with divided planes trimmed in stainless brightwork. In front of the driver, a horizontal speedometer sits beside round center mount gauges that are canted to the left for better visibility. Below the gauges, chrome controls for the cars various accessories sit next to an optional push button radio and a chrome trimmed panel for the cars heater/defroster. Above the gauges, a pristine dash pad features a center mounted speaker and rides below two like-new sun visors that are complete with a correct Pontiac vanity mirror. Connecting the driver to the road is a correct optional deluxe steering wheel that sits in front of a chrome gear selector and includes a correct blue horn button insert. At the sides of the seats, the door panels appear to be brand new featuring awesome finned stainless accents and arm rest trim along with new chrome door handles and window cranks. Behind the back seat a new black convertible boot sits above a fully restored trunk that includes a correct trunk mat, a spare tire, a correct jack assembly, a correct jack decal and a functional 'reel-out' courtesy light.

Documentation for this Catalina includes the cars original owner's manual, the original convertible top operating instructions, an original accessories book, Pontiac Historical Society documents and a reproduction window sticker.

This 1965 Pontiac Catalina is a full-sized muscle car that simply cannot be duplicated for the asking price. With its Tri-Powered High Output 421, it'll run neck-and-neck with its lighter, smaller GTO sibling while offering much more comfort and exclusivity. If you're looking for a unique cruiser that has serious style, loads of torque and looks that will turn heads everywhere you go, this Pontiac is your car. Call now!