1978 Pontiac Catalina Safari

400 V8. No reserve auction. Cushy uplevel interior for a Catalina. That Beaman Pontiac emblem on the tailgate means sold new in Nashville TN

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1978-Pontiac-Catalina-/262387665775?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

 

Nice low frills car for someone who wants one but the engine is a 301, not a 400.

 

Sure about the engine just from the photo?

 

Fairly certain. No dipstick by the compressor, the AC brackets are from a 301, and the intake runners casting and bolt positions look to be the wrong for a 326-455 v8.

 

Eh, on closer inspection it has the right cruise control diaphragm for a 350-400 car, so it could very well be one. It's been monkeyed with, so buyer beware.

 

Auction Ended Early, so I wonder what it sold for? The description "rebuilt Small Block 400" and "new Breaks and Break lines" always scare me. I would bet the car was originally built with a 301, but was converted to a 400. I agree that the A/C brackets are from a 301, the fuel line to the Carb has been "modified" the car is much more beat up than my 78. The head liner is falling down, looks to be a low option car with power locks and A/C.

 

No bids. It didn't sell, says "Error in listing". He might have got a buyer from another source and just cancelled the auction.

 

Does the interior look factory for a Catalina? I cannot find anything this luxurious in the GM literature for a 1978 Catalina.

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It is the optional upgraded interior on the Catalina Safari, not available on the Catalina Coupes or Sedans. My 78 Catalina Safari has the same interior in Vinyl. The only difference I can tell from the Bonneville or Grand Safari (besides badges of course) is the shorter armrests and the power window switches mounted on the door panels not on the longer armrests like the Bonneville's. You can see the longer armrests with the power window switches on the 3rd picture from a 78 Grand Safari. The Pillow top style seats were only available on the Brouham equipped cars. 4th picture. So to try and clarify the standard Bonneville Seats (5th picture) were optional on the Catalina Safari. I do wish my car had the delux color matched seat belts, but oh well.