1961 Pontiac Catalina "Bubble Top" Coupe

Submitted for your consideration is this 3-owner 1961 Pontiac Catalina Bubble-top Coupe originating out of Chicago in the late 80’s, having resided in TN since 1992. I am listing this on behalf of the elderly owner with his thorough details etc. as an AACA car club member.

Vehicle was painted 2-stage base/clear sometime in the early 80’s and has withstood the test of time in a climate-controlled garage.

STD OPTIONS:

Tinted Windshield

Cloth Seats

Manual Windows

AM Radio

No AC

Upgrade: 8-Lug Wheels

EXTERIOR:

Vehicle is the coveted “Bubble-top” 2 dr that is straight, exhibiting only mild surface rust to underside surfaces. Underside is clean/dry as expected for a well-cared for car historically.

Vehicle was painted 2-stage base/clear sometime in the early 80’s and has withstood the test of time in a climate-controlled garage, save for 2 small blemishes: 1: Small “bubbling” near right tail lamp bezel that is virtually unnoticeable and an easy repair if desired. 2: Right Fender Blemish where fender came into contact with a plastic power washer in garage.

Body panel alignment is good exhibiting no crash history.

Exterior Chrome is bright showing no damage or rust.

Stainless trim is intact, undamaged.

Tinted Windshield is free of chips/gouges etc. and cleans up like “new”.

Pleastic Tail Lamp Lenses are crack-free and all lights illuminate properly.

INTERIOR:

Interior is all original except for the new factory correct seat covers replaced by prior owner sometime in the early 80’s. A tiny section of the original interior was specifically saved on a corner of the rear seat to confirm original quality.

Frt seat has a minor stain that should steam-clean out seamlessly (This might be detailed before sold).

Dash Pad is undamaged/crack free showing only a very slight “lift” area just ahead of the steering wheel on windshield side at edge. Headliner is original and undamaged.

All Catalinas came from factory with no carpet; this has correct original Pontiac rubber mat flooring with carpet on transmission hump. Factory Correct (rare) floor mats included.

MECHANICAL:

Original numbers matching low mileage Engine runs/sounds as it should and feels “right”. Previous owner installed 068 mild cam ( 425A) and resealed the engine.

Vehicle was driven mostly to car shows and has a clean engine bay overall with no obvious leaks/fluid loss needing attention etc.

Transmission is a close-ration 4 speed. Trans linkage seems to “hang up” when in Reverse, but is quickly remedied by depressing clutch and shifting back into a forward gear. This is believed to only need adjusting which elderly owner has not yet had done.

Trans otherwise shifts as expected.

New Front Brakes & Wheel Cylinders.

8-lug wheels were restored/relined by Ron Panzer is 2007.

Speedometer is acting up recently and works “sometimes”----not sure what the issue is and elderly owner has not seen fit to address this. Odometer Mileage is correct.

Everything else works mechanically as it should.

3 deuce carb setup is intact. The owner noticed what he suspected might be a slight fuel

leak at one carb’ base and disconnected the feed line to the other 2 carbs to deter fire hazard. This is believed to be an easy fix.

TEST DRIVE:

Car feels “right”. Feels Tight. No unusual odors or sounds evident and has a true

“survivor quality” feel and smell to it.

OTHER INFO:

At some point Hemmings Motors did a co-op scale model of THIS specific car that is

still available for purchase.

Car is a feature car on the cover of Smoke Signals Magazine in 2010. It was also featured on Hemmings Motor News 2011 Calendar “Cars of the 60’s”.

As one of the more desirable Pontiacs still on the road today, this car has a great appearance and is very attractive to crowds with a huge following. Considered one of the first factory muscle cars.

As always, I encourage a personal inspection or test-drive as I firmly beleive this car will sell itself. It's that nice.

Vehicle is for sale elsewhere, and as such this ad could be pulled at any time. Owner is getting some pressure to take this to big-block auction, but will opt for eBay in the hop a suitable buyer can be found who will thoroughly enjoy this car.

Additional Photos available upon request. Please do not hesitate to call if I can assist you: 615.979.3058 No calls after 10pm CST please.

All information is believed to be accurate. Owner will provide all documentation with the car etc. and any other parts he has in his possession.

On Apr-08-17 at 18:34:24 PDT, seller added the following information:

CORRECTION: Details above indicated car was feature car in Smoke Signals, but according to seller should have indicated "Hemmings" (sorry).
The mention of "rust" to undercarriage is nothing to be concerned about on this very solid example. I meant to indicate it is very dry with a solid STD stock quality of a solid driver consistent with what the best restored examples exhibit.

On Apr-15-17 at 19:59:40 PDT, seller added the following information:

As you might anticipate, perhaps consistent with today's date, I just took my 15th call on this car to clarify details and ask about pricing.In the spirit of time-saving, please know all of the calls are appreciated. Seemingly every caller has a reason they SHOULD have bought this car "back in the day"citing this was among the most desirable Pontiacs and/or an argument why the owner's asking price should be lower than what it is. Just as the implicationis that the asking price should be negotiable----------so then should the offer respectfully.To save alot of mystery in the spirit of a sale, I can tell you the asking price is over $44k, and under $46k without divulging the owner's reserve price. The priceis competitive and lower than at least 2 other examples recently sold (Callers told me this, I wasn't aware of it).That said, I am compelled to offer the following for the serious buyer or collectors consideration: To find any car that is 50 years old that is complete is hard enough to do. But to find a 50-year old car that only has 44k original miles on it, is even a harder task. Then add to that finding a low-mileage 50 year old car AND nocrash history, repair history, or rust or panel replacement etc. with a highly collectible value is almost unheard of generally speaking.Even in a perfect alignment of the stars, if you were lucky enough to find such an example, to have one with new factory correct interior seat covers, restored/relined 8-lug wheels by Ron Panzer and nearly flawless "mile-deep" paint would add another huge sum-------probably approaching $5000.00 or more even for the most connected of car guys etc.Add to that this car has Tri-Power AND the Borg-Warner Close Ratio 4 speed adding more value still.The point is all the offers are very close to the owner's minimum, yet this remains unsold "for a few dollars more"~As a possible talking point if you're still reading, I equate the owner's premium price to a "convenience fee" in the sense that you can own a 50 year oldimmediately collectible car needing nothing except you to buy it, drive & enjoy it all for the convenience of not having to do anything to it. And for the adjustment in value between the highest offers (and you know who you are) this "difference in opinion" ($$'s) is such a small price adjustment considering the pace at which this Pontiac is appreciating at. To wit------the higher price will quickly be offset and realized in the short term for a buyer that there is no "loss", but more likely an appreciating investment by the time he/she is ready to sell it.Your calls have told me you're unable to find a lower mileage or better equipped example for less.
I won't say this is a museum piece, but Hemmings thought enough of it to make a diecast model of THIS car available to the public.For those who may be prepared to buy it now, subject to a signed Buyer's agreement and a reasonable deposit, I will end the auction and consider it sold.I trust you'll be guided accordingly.Someone is going to be getting one hell of a car ;)