Hey everyone, I lurked on this site a bunch while I was building my wagon. Thought now that I am pretty much done I would share. Thanks to everyone for sharing their knowledge…not sure I would have made it through this without the internet 5 years ago this month, my daughter was 3 months old and I thought I needed a project to have my "me" time. I scoured Craigslist for a few weeks, and because I had no money, I purchased the biggest pile of s#!t car possible. I new I shouldn't have bought it. My best friend and I grew up building cars together. I talk to him daily and yet I didn't tell him I was buying this wreck. I should have known better. I picked this 1964 Catalina wagon up from a guy who flipped it from a police auction. It was a total rust bucket, the front left fender was smashed in, had the ride height of a 4x4 and possibly the most embarrassing set of American Racing wheels ever made. In the wagon I found a bunch (14) empty beer cans, a birthday card, and a pair of woman's panties. Apparently someone had a fun birthday. His car was impounded. His loss my gain (or maybe I should've considered it a loss as well). …and 5 years later:
Wow! I wasn't prepared for the final result! That's a beautiful wagon you have there. I've got a soft spot in my heart for '64 Pontiacs, even since owning a '64 Catalina Ventura 2-door hardtop back around 1970 or so..... So........what happened to the 389? Marshall
Beautiful car. Too bad you didn't join when you first found us, though. It would have been terrific to see the progress as you went along. The transformation is spectacular! The colour is perfect for the old girl, and the wheels set it off something lovely. Me being me, there is one thing I would have done differently. I would have kept the chrome trim. I'm from an age where the trimless models were the taxi cab specials, always the least desirable of the range. The trim along the bottom was, I believe, an option on the Catalina, and not one seen often, either. I know that none of the Pontiacs we had here in Canada had that. It sets the lines off beautifully, too. Now that you have joined, be sure to jump in to the discussions. You have knowledge and talent that many others can enjoy.
Hey Mike.....cool spread on your wagon in the December issue of Car Craft. Really like the airport backdrop and your buddy's Chevelle too! Congrats on gettin in the mag!
Thanks everyone... I have always loved wagons. This site is great. I am a Chevy guy at heart (hence the BBC)...so Poncho purists hate me. The 389 is probably a boat anchor somewhere...it was in rough shape. I took it down to the local grudge match and had some fun with a mustang or two. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjhlGGdeVIc. Eventually got smoked by a Turbo Porsche. Having fun with it though!
Wow! Look at that grocery getter go,lol! I bet with a little nitrous that naughty Porsche wouldn't have gotten away! Welcome to the madness! Krash might want to talk with you about fixing up an engine for his Parisienne? and
I wasn't expecting your wagon to be finished either. What an awesome change, congratulations you worked wonders with that old rust bucket. to SWF nice to meet you and your beautiful wagon.
Gotta love those '60's Pontiac wagons. Glad you persevered and saved it. The car came out absolutely beautiful...love the color, stance, and wheels. Nothing wrong with a BBC to motivate it. It actually looks quite at home in there.
That was fun! You even held your own with the Porsche - for a while, until his turbos spool up. My wagon ain't no Canukistan Pontiac. It's a gen-U-wine 'Murican BONNEVILLE
