1970 Pontiac Catalina Convertible 

“Starting Now this is the way it can be for big thinkers with small budgets” reads the advertising, and this was in reality true, as the Bonneville was the upscale Pontiac, and the Catalina, which borrowed from the Bonneville's look, was for the budget conscious.

In 1970, and for this consignment, the Pontiac Catalina received a facelift. It had a central chromed radiator “beak” grille inspired by the Grand Prix, the hood with wider and flatter center bulges, dual headlights, pointing arrow-esque tail lights set into bumpers, wrap over front fender tips, and hidden radio antennas.   This example, badged with "Catalina" lettering behind the front wheel openings. and has a white canvas convertible top.  Fender skirts, and "Pontiac" badging centered on the edge of the rear deck.  Carpeting, upper level trim ventilation, Endura side moldings, walnut-grained vinyl inserts, padded dashboard, and this example is very clean, and very cool.  Purchased by a grandfather in 1995 who had good intentions to restore it never happened.  Fast forward to 2001 when the grandchild took over and did things right and in a big way.  Now we have a great somewhat rare example ready to cruise the boulevards and turn heads.  Toss me the keys babe, we are going for a verbal test ride.  It's one cool Cat…alina!

Exterior
Starting out life as Palisade Green, it now is bathed in pristine white.  The car gracing our Hallowed Halls is a not oft seen car in our daily routine.  It was one of the best selling cars for the Pontiac division in 1970, and one would think there would be more hanging around, but sadly, (or happily depending on how you look at it), it is not true.  This example has a white canvas power top, which works beautifully.  Chrome brite-work and badging are in good condition, and the front vertical chromed grille with its central beak is nearly to die for.   Wide format, long panels are very straight and rust free with well minded gaps are all over this beauty.  Inset into the rear bumper pointing out arrow tail lights are looking sleek.  Just above is a NYC 2 bedroom apartment sized trunk. 15-inch Pontiac rally style wheels are wrapped in thin red sidewall rubber on all 4 corners from the 25th week of 2017.  I dare you to find any rust on this big piece of Detroit iron.  

Interior
Green and mean would best describe this fashionable interior with lots of tuck and roll vinyl, lots of walnut applique' and lots of chromed trimming on borders of said panels.  The door panels are nearly perfect.  Inside a green padded dash top  undulates at right angles up and down, and frames all the instrumentation and controls in various panels across the front.  Walnut veneer is accenting these panels and looks just the perfect compliment to the green.  Standard GM dash fare is here.  An extra item of note is the aftermarket 3 gauge cluster hanging below the dash to help keep your eyes on the pulse of this car when operating.  Snappy green vinyl covers the two benches, split back in front and full solid back for the rear passengers.  Clean green carpeting floods the floors and a dark green tonneau covering is available to cover the top when in the down position.  Full on classy for this wide track cruiser.

Drivetrain
A lift of the hood and some eye candy for the motörhead to suck on, where we are greeted with a blue painted 400ci V8 which is not original to the car.  It has an Edelbrock intake and Edelbrock 600cfm carb.  The transmission is numbers matching from the factory and is a TH400 3 speed automatic.  A 10 bolt rear axle is on to help spin the rear rubber.  Chromed valve and air cleaner coverings, supple hoses and a showroom condition engine bay makes lifting that large hood all worth the effort and then some.

Undercarriage
Some very slight surface rust is noted, but unremarkable as it pertains to structural problems.  Rockers, floor pans, toe kicks, and suspension are all rust free and the rear axle has been sprayed in black.  Underneath the doors, we can see corrosive rust coming through the respray, and is lifting the green vinyl off of the passenger door panel on the bottom. Power disc braking is upfront, along with independent coil springs.  On the back is a 4 link with coil springs suspension with power drums braking.  Our consignor tells me that power steering and water pump are new, as well as the master cylinder and radiator.  A Flowmaster exhaust is evacuating those spent fossils so we have a BIG exhale.  Now turn your head and cough!

Drive-Ability
This early 70's large and in charge stuff is always a pleasure to drive and honestly it makes me look way more hip than I could ever be, so I hopped in and turned the key.  Here it instantly came to life, drove swimmingly, top up and down smoothly, and bias free braking on the panic stopping, which I alway test first. The clock was not working but then again how many of them really do?  And when they do it drains the battery…sheesh.

This overall straight steel convertible example of the everyday man's Pontiac, presents nicely, and runs smoothly.  The perfect car if you want something not seen everyday with its chromed nose,  individual but dual bezel headlights, large panels, and spacious mid level green interior in good to excellent condition.  My partner in crime was applauding when I returned.  Not sure why, honestly I don't trust him, something is up, and it was not the top of this car.

252670E169701

2-Pontiac
52-Catalina
67-Convertible
0-1970
E-Linden, NJ Assy Plant
169701-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG

ST 70 25267-1970 Catalina Convertible
BDY E1472-Linden Body #
TR 536-Green Vinyl
PNT 45A-Palisade Green, White Top
07B-2nd Week July Build

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.