1964 Pontiac Catalina 2+2 info needed

Florida Guy

Florida Guy

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I'm toying with the possibility of buying one of these rocket ships.
I'm a Corvette guy, so kinda lost with this car.
This one came from the factory with a 421 with tri-power and a 4 speed tranny.
For those that might know.... car presently has the reverse lockout shifter, and I'd like to know if this is correct or should it be a Hurst shifter (the car has Hurst badging on it).
It has a center console with tach, but from other pics I've seen of similar cars, that gauge was a vacuum gauge, not a tach.
Those that did have a tach, had them mounted on the dash to the left of the steering wheel.
I have other questions, but I'd like to see if I can get these answered first.
I am looking with an eye towards originality.
This car also comes with 8 lug Kelsey-Hayes wheels.

WII3BqJ.jpg
 
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Beautiful Auto!

Back in the day, I had a neighbor with MIDNIGHT BLUE ONE.

I believe it should have a Hurst Shifter,
 
The 421 with tri-power was a very cool engine. If you are used to Vetts it will seem a bit roomy inside.
 
westcoast362 said:
The 421 with tri-power was a very cool engine. If you are used to Vetts it will seem a bit roomy inside.
Click to expand...

:) :) :) Very true.

Back in the day I had a car around this size which I bought brand new... 1970 Plymouth GTX 440 with a 4 speed:

TKkowFS.jpg


Just toying with the idea at this point. It is said to be a body off resto with under 300 miles since completed.
 
1964 was a bit too early for a Hurst shifter from the factory, the factory unit would have been a plain jane Saginaw IIRC. The 421 tri power is correct, Pontiac even offered this engine in the Safari station wagon. I also think the 8 log wheels are wrong, as I remember it those were introduced on the 1967 2+2. However I am NOT an expert on Pontiacs of this vintage. BTW, the front drums on the 8 lug system should be aluminum with a steel lining and were over 200 bucks each back in 1971. I also have a vague memory that these drums were an inch larger in diameter or in inch wider than any other GM drum and were a last ditch attempt to provide better braking with a drum based system instead of using disc brakes. One thing you can be certain of is that brake jobs on that old 8 lug system won't be cheap.
 
I wonder if anyone still has the adapter plate for changing those rims/tires
on the coats tire machine. We had a three pin adapter plate if I remember
correctly.
 
That's a trip down memory lane! I've gone thru a lot of cars,
never had a full-size Pontiac that looked that good!
I do not have the info you're looking for, but I would be pleased
if you could put a name to the color of paint on that. In the
sunlight, that paint does it for me. Sure loved the '60's Pontiacs!
TACC1
 
The 8 hole wheels could be correct if originally ordered. Reverse lock-out shifter is wrong, should be a Saginaw. Does it have the Protect-o-Plate with it? That will tell you correct engine and transmission number that came on the car. Does it even have the original engine in it? Hurst badging is somebody`s idea of being cool. Console sounds like it`s had a tach put in. You are correct that originally they had the tach mounted left of the steering column. Pontiac Historical Service can send you all the information on it, if you send them the VIN and I think it`s $50.
 
Love the old Poncho's. Back 'in the day', I mowed the lawn for an old dude that had one of those.
 
TACC1 said:
That's a trip down memory lane! I've gone thru a lot of cars,
never had a full-size Pontiac that looked that good!
I do not have the info you're looking for, but I would be pleased
if you could put a name to the color of paint on that. In the
sunlight, that paint does it for me. Sure loved the '60's Pontiacs!
TACC1
Click to expand...

I believe it is Marimba Red Poly

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36734576@N03/9545094331/
 
scooter123 said:
1964 was a bit too early for a Hurst shifter from the factory, the factory unit would have been a plain jane Saginaw IIRC. The 421 tri power is correct, Pontiac even offered this engine in the Safari station wagon. I also think the 8 log wheels are wrong, as I remember it those were introduced on the 1967 2+2. However I am NOT an expert on Pontiacs of this vintage. BTW, the front drums on the 8 lug system should be aluminum with a steel lining and were over 200 bucks each back in 1971. I also have a vague memory that these drums were an inch larger in diameter or in inch wider than any other GM drum and were a last ditch attempt to provide better braking with a drum based system instead of using disc brakes. One thing you can be certain of is that brake jobs on that old 8 lug system won't be cheap.
Click to expand...

The 8 lug wheel I've found out, was introduced in 1961.
Here it is shown as an option in a 1964 catalogue.

1964 Pontiac Accessories-08
 
I think the 8 lug wheels are correct, I think they may have been on some Pontiacs as early as 61, but 62 almost for sure. The shifter, I don't know, but maybe an early Hurst with the round stick, and maybe not branded on the stick. If the car has Hurst emblems, I would think it had a Hurst shifter. I have seen a '61 SD with Hurst emblems that came from Royal Pontiac. That is a really cool car.
 
scooter123 said:
1964 was a bit too early for a Hurst shifter from the factory, the factory unit would have been a plain jane Saginaw IIRC. The 421 tri power is correct, Pontiac even offered this engine in the Safari station wagon. I also think the 8 log wheels are wrong, as I remember it those were introduced on the 1967 2+2. However I am NOT an expert on Pontiacs of this vintage. BTW, the front drums on the 8 lug system should be aluminum with a steel lining and were over 200 bucks each back in 1971. I also have a vague memory that these drums were an inch larger in diameter or in inch wider than any other GM drum and were a last ditch attempt to provide better braking with a drum based system instead of using disc brakes. One thing you can be certain of is that brake jobs on that old 8 lug system won't be cheap.
Click to expand...

The mainstream US car industry fought front disc brakes tooth and nail. Why was that? Some UK cars still had them in the very early 1970s but they were usually small, low-powered variants.
 
Man I love those 2+2 Cats. Had a chance to buy a '66 with a 421 Super Duty with dual quads and passed. Wish I wouldn't have. Not sure if anyone mentioned it but you need to ask at this forum:

Pontiac GTO Forum | GTO Pictures | GTO Photos

that's the GTO area but you can easily navigate to the right area to ask. That site is to Pontiacs what this one is to S&W's. Good luck with the car.
 
As I stated I'm not a Pontiac expert. My only exposure to the brand were a 1967 and 1969 Catalina that my father had for company cars. BTW, the 69 was a real tire scorcher, Dad ordered it with the 428 HO and 343 rear axle. That car could light the tires without a break from standstill to 75 mph. Dad did like his cars to have what he liked to call "passing power" so until the EPA spoiled the party he had some rather fun cars to drive.
 
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