Pontiac El Catalina Prototype, 1959
Pontiac Catalina I
Pontiac Catalina I•
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Chassis No.: 259P108
Auction: Indy 2018
Auction date: May 20, 2018
Lot No.: F138.1
$340,000 | High bid
- Exterior: Ivory
- Interior: Ivory
- Body: Prototype
- The only completed El Catalina prototype produced by Pontiac for testing, show and consideration for a new El Camino style model for 1960 Pontiac regular production
- POCI National 1st Jr. Gold at Bowling Green, Kentucky July 2007 with a score of 400/400
- Concours Award at POCI Nationals July 2011 with a score of 400/400
- AACA National 1st Junior at Santa Rosa, California August 2011
- AACA National Senior at Oakbrook, Illinois September 2011
- AACA Grand National 1st at Moline, Illinois June 2013
- AACA Grand National Senior at Lebanon, Tennessee June 2014
- Concours of the Americas Otto Rosenbusch Memorial Award-Spirit of the Automobilist July 2014
- 389/300 HP V-8 engine
- 4-speed Super Hydra-Matic automatic transmission
- Power steering, brakes and seat
- Air conditioning
- Sportable AM radio
- Under-hood utility light
- Tissue dispenser
- Seatbelts
Known as El Catalina, this 1959 Pontiac concept vehicle was that division’s first foray into the light-duty truck or utility market since 1928; indeed, Pontiac had not even produced and sold a sedan delivery since 1953. With the dynamic Bunkie Knudsen at the helm, performance had become the focus of Pontiac’s mission statement and the driving force behind its ever more successful sales figures. Pontiac had targeted both stock-car and drag racing with its Super Duty performance program, so it came as a surprise when the competition learned Pontiac was considering a “half-truck, half-car” in answer to the success of the Ford Ranchero and Chevrolet El Camino.
Pontiac engineers mounted a Chevrolet El Camino cabin shell and pickup bed to a Catalina Safari station-wagon chassis as the foundation for their concept, then grafted the El Camino window uppers to the Catalina doors to fit the Chevy’s roof structure. They blended in the Catalina’s finned quarter panels and a Safari tailgate, then mounted the Catalina’s front sheet metal and trim to complete the exterior.
The tri-tone red, white and silver interior came straight from the Catalina, giving the finished concept a decidedly upscale quality backed by its powerful 389/300 HP V-8 engine, 4-speed Hydra-Matic transmission and a complement of accessories including power steering and brakes, air conditioning, power seat and windows, and tinted glass. A Sportable pushbutton radio, under-hood utility light, and seat belts were also added. The road to the El Catalina’s restoration was a long and winding one that culminated upon its completion with a Best of Show Award—and a 400/400 score—at the July 2011 Pontiac Oakland Club International meet.
It repeated later that month with another 400 and the Concours Award at the POCI Nationals. Those were just the first in a series of impressive showings that included four AACA National Awards and the Concours of the Americas Spirit of the Automobilist Otto Rosenbusch Memorial Award in July 2014. For Pontiac fans, there is nothing else like the El Catalina in all the world.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/327033/1959-pontiac-el-catalina-prototype/
