UPDATE – The seller has added more photos, which can be found in the gallery below.

There is one certainty in life; If you leave a classic car exposed to the harsh Arizona sun, it will soon look baked. However, the same climate that cooks the paint does an admirable job protecting the steel. That is the case with this 1963 Pontiac Catalina Safari. It wears a significant coating of surface corrosion, but it is a rock-solid and complete Wagon that would make an ideal project candidate. If you wish to take it home, it is exclusively listed at Barn Finds Auctions.

If you peer carefully beyond the almost uniform layer of surface corrosion, you receive the occasional glimpse of this Catalina’s original Cameo Ivory paint. The sun has done its best to eliminate it, and although there is plenty of corrosion, there is no penetrating rust. This is unsurprising considering the vehicle’s location. The underside shots confirm a similar story with the floors and frame, meaning the new owner can safely leave the grinder and welder tucked away in the cupboard. The exterior has a couple of bumps and bruises but nothing justifying panel replacement. Stripping the corrosion away to expose the bare steel will take time, but the results would be worthwhile whether the buyer plans a custom build or faithful restoration. Alternatively, this Wagon has enormous character in its current form. Treating and sealing the corrosion to prevent deterioration would be a valid option if the buyer wished to preserve the Catalina as a genuine survivor. I can’t spot the original Deluxe wheel trims in the supplied photos, but most of the remaining trim pieces look like they would respond positively to equal parts elbow grease and a high-quality polish. The original owner ordered this classic with a soft-ray tinted windshield, and along with the remaining glass, it appears to be in good order.

Opening the Catalina’s doors reveals an interior as baked as its exterior. However, it appears it is complete, apart from missing the original DeLuxe radio. This Safari could be a hot ticket for an enthusiast seeking a practical classic. It will comfortably seat six, with the vast cargo area making it an ideal candidate for family vacation adventures. It requires a complete retrim before that dream becomes a reality, but the foundations are there for it to look stunning. It isn’t loaded with optional extras, but the winning bidder receives practical two-speed wipers and the classy deluxe wheel. If they locate an original radio, that would perfectly complete the package.

Pontiac’s staple V8 for the early 1960s was its legendary 389ci powerplant, which is what occupies this classic’s engine bay. It produced 215hp and 394 ft/lbs of torque, and when coupled to the three-speed manual we find in this Wagon, it made the 4,410 lb Safari surprisingly sprightly. The journey down the ¼-mile would take 18.3 seconds, and while that doesn’t sound that exciting, the low-end torque produced by this V8 means overtaking on the open road without rowing the shifter is effortless. It should also cruise all day at 70mph, allowing it to devour the miles in style. It is unclear when this V8 last fired a shot in anger, but the time frame would undoubtedly be measured in years. If the bulletproof 389 turns freely, revival may not be difficult. It will require further work to be considered roadworthy, but if the engine runs, most tasks could be completed by a competent person in a home workshop.

This 1963 Pontiac Catalina Safari offers potential buyers a world of possibilities. Its lack of penetrating rust and complete nature make it a prime candidate for a faithful restoration. However, treating the surface corrosion to prevent deterioration and returning it to active service as a genuine survivor would command as much attention as the vehicle would if in a showroom-fresh state. The winning bidder could throw caution to the wind with a custom approach, which is also valid. The future of this Wagon is only limited by your imagination, but are you tempted to let it off the leash by submitting a bid? If you do and are the winning bidder, we’d love to receive progress reports on this build.

• Location: Phoenix, Arizona
• Mileage: 6630 Miles Shown, TMU
• Engine: 389 ci V8
• Transmission: 3-Speed Manual
• VIN: 363S48131
• Title Status: Salvage

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