Frame Up Restored Catalina Convertible 421 Tri-Power

It's not often a super nice mid-60s Pontiac full-size rolls into our RK Motors Charlotte showroom. Ominous, powerful and exceptionally comfortable, these performance-bred boulevard bruisers are some of the coolest and most collectible metal to ever drive off a Detroit assembly line. And in the rare event that we actually find one, it's usually snatched up almost as quick as we post it to our website! This fully-sorted Catalina was recently purchased by one of our best clients and sent to our own Mentor, Ohio restoration shop where it received roughly $15K of tuning, polishing and detailing. If you're looking for a unique and impressive classic that'll draw big crowds and elicit long stares wherever you go, this Tri-power convertible is your ticket!

Despite being delivered to Burnett Pontiac in Cincinnati, Ohio, this awesome Catalina has spent the majority of its 47 years as a resident of the hot and dry south. During the car's recent restoration, all its original rust-free body panels were aligned to better than factory standards and sprayed in a correct coat of GM code N Burgundy Red basecoat/clearcoat. Naturally our skilled restoration staff in Mentor wanted the car to look its absolute best when unveiled; so they color-sanded its burgundy profile to highlight the body's arrow-straight panels, and buffed every inch of its clearcoat into a mirror-like shine. Today, this Catalina sits as a glowing reminder that wider IS better, and Pontiac IS king of the muscle cars!

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 machines. The car's 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. On the front fenders red, white and black inlayed “421” emblems sit above a chrome bumper which wraps around the car's peaked corners to meet new stainless wheel well trim. Behind the front wheels, dent free stainless rocker strips trace the body's lower lines on their way to meet a chrome rear bumper. On the car's sides, a chrome antenna combines with chrome rear view mirrors and traditional GM door handles to add a little brightness to the deep red paint. And out back, a show worthy chrome bumper hangs optional reverse lights between a satin finished Pontiac arrow head, a finned rear valence that features both a centered “Pontiac” script and pristine tail lights, and spotless stainless exhaust tips.

Take a look under this Catalina's long, beaked hood and you'll find a 421 cubic inch Tri-power V8 which was delivered from the factory with an impressive 356 horsepower. Developed from Pontiac's hugely successful Super Duty race engines, this tin indian torque monster was completely rebuilt during the restoration and has no problem moving its five passenger casing with authority. Topping the motor is three chrome GTO-style air cleaners which funnel wind into three freshly rebuilt Rochester two-barrel carburetors. The resultant air/fuel mixture passes through a correct cast iron intake manifold to factory-spec internals which are housed in a correctly painted Pontiac Turquoise engine block. At the sides of that block, original heads hang pristine chrome valve covers above reproduction factory-style high output exhaust manifolds. And at the back of that block, a traditional points distributor shoots sparks into a fresh set of high performance Taylor plug wires. At the front of the car's engine bay a correct radiator, which has been equipped with two quick spinning electric pusher fans, sits under a correct shroud that features a nicely placed “421” emblem. On the left side of the engine bay, you'll find a correct reproduction Delco battery in front hardware for optional power steering and optional power brakes. And on the right side of the engine bay, you'll find an old school GM washer fluid bottle. The big 421 is properly dressed with fresh hoses, fresh belts, a new thermostat, new top end gaskets and correct hose clamps. And details like bright decals, correct hood insulation, a new underhood light and a fresh 100 amp alternator ensure this big Pontiac will show just as well as it runs.

Underneath this plus sized rag top, a new for 1965 Turbo-Hydramatic transmission sends power to a reliable 8.75 inch limited slip rear end that's held off the ground by a newly rebuilt heavy duty suspension. Housed within that suspension is correct optional 'Wonder Touch' power steering, new Monroe rear air shocks and correct optional power brakes which have been updated with new front discs and new ceramic pads. Above that suspension, exceptionally clean floors are covered in a thin coat of undercoating to guard from moisture. And thanks to the recent rebuild, the car is equipped the with a new high torque starter, a solid, painted fuel tank, fresh brake lines and correct factory chalk marks. Exhaust is handled by a new 2.5 inch aluminized system that's fitted with an H-pipe crossover and aggressive turbo mufflers which give the car a deep, vintage sound. And power flows to the pavement through a brand new set of 15 inch Cragar wheels which spin a nice set of 225/70 BF Goodrich Radial T/As around graphite gray spokes. The car's frame displays a distinct lack of pitting which suggests it was never a victim of rust. And even though the floors are detailed, they aren't polished to the point that they're going to ruin your love affair with piloting the hot 421 down a wet road.

Inside this sunny day road warrior, you'll find a correct code 297 black vinyl interior which is the ideal complement to the car's Burgundy Red exterior paint. The optional custom front and rear bench seats, which feature the first of a complete set of new speakers, have been professionally restored and feel as firm and comfortable as the day they left the factory. Below those seats, fresh black carpet anchors cool Fisher seat belts between heavy duty rubber floor mats and chrome trimmed foot pedals. At the sides of those seats, new black door panels hang awesome stainless accents behind new chrome door handles and new chrome window cranks. Above those seats, two like-new sun visors are complete with a correct Pontiac vanity mirror. And in front of those seats a classy dash, which features updated LED backlighting, hangs a horizontal speedometer between a correct factory tachometer, a freshly rebuilt clock, an MP3 compatible Pioneer CD player and Auto Meter Carbon Fiber Ultra-Lite accessory gauges. Connecting the driver to the road is a wood-rimmed steering wheel which spins around a new tilt column and a solid chrome gear selector. And behind the cockpit, a new black convertible boot snaps down above a fully restored trunk which includes a correct mat, a full-size spare tire, a correct jack, a correct jack decal and a functional 'reel-out' courtesy light.

Included with the sale of this cool Catalina is the car's original owner's manual, the car's original convertible top operating instructions, an original accessories book, a reproduction window sticker, a small stack of receipts for the recent $15K detail, Pontiac Historical Services documentation, and the car's original 14 inch eight lug wheels.

This 1965 Catalina rag top is a full-size muscle car that simply cannot be duplicated for the asking price. Thanks to its freshly tuned Tri-power 421, it'll run neck-and-neck with lighter, smaller GTOs while offering much more comfort and exclusivity. If you're looking for a unique cruiser that has serious style, loads of torque and the ability to turn heads wherever you go, this Pontiac is your ticket!