Pontiac Catalina, 1960

Location: Auburn, Indiana

$34,100 USD | Sold

Addendum

Please note this vehicle is being sold title in transit

This is a rare 1960 Pontiac Catalina Convertible that stands out with a stunning color combination of "Lucerne Blue" with white interior. Powered by an extremely strong 389-cid, 348-hp V-8 with Tri-power {(casting number 536387 - date code D10) - heads (casting number 536109) - Tri-power (casting number 9536194)}, plus the correct Rochester carburetors. This highly desirable unit is mated to a three-speed manual, column-shift transmission and gives the driver a true sense of really “driving” the car. A typically reliable source states that “97.3-percent” of all 1960 Pontiacs were sold with the automatic transmission, making this three-speed, which was standard equipment for the car, quite uncommon.

The paint is reported as having “show like quality” and all of the chrome, trim and brightwork is fantastic. Additionally the Catalina is equipped with power brakes, power top, air conditioning and a Safe -T-Track (Pontiac’s name for Posi-traction) limited-slip rear end. The interior has an attractive pattern that has a subtle sunburst –type feel and adds to the quality of character seen with this vehicle.

In period, Pontiac let their loyal customers know that they were experiencing “America’s most exciting driving – filled to the brim with action, and wrapped in luxury unsurpassed by far more expensive cars.” The Catalina was considered a substantial step up from the popular Chevrolet Impala, as far as trim and appointments, and it came standard with more amenities than the Chevrolet models; as planned by the GM established brand hierarchy. One perfect example would be the larger more powerful 389-cid engine for the Pontiac V-8 in 1960, compared to the Chevy's six-cylinder, 283- or 348-cid engines. This is a rare opportunity to own a 1960 Pontiac Catalina 389 Tri-power convertible in this very appealing condition for, possibly, a fraction of what certain less-equipped Impalas may bring.

Sources show that 210,934 Pontiac Catalinas were built in 1960 in seven different body styles. From this figure, it is further recorded that the modest number of 17,172 Catalina convertibles were built in the same year; far less ran with the respected Tri-power V-8 engine.

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