The words “ran when parked” are enough to gladden the hearts of many classic car enthusiasts. For others, it sends a shiver down their spine. That is the story behind this 1958 Pontiac Chieftain Catalina. Judging by the heavy layer of dust that it now wears, it appears that it has been many years since the owner drove the Pontiac into this shed. The Catalina has been dragged out of hiding, and it is now set to head to a new home. It is located in Palm Coast, Florida, and has been listed for sale here on Craigslist. The owner has set the sale price at $9,000. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Nate for spotting the Chieftain for us.

Below that heavy layer of dust, the Chieftain appears to be finished in the attractive combination of Rangoon Red and Graystone White. The thing that becomes apparent when you look at the supplied photos is that while there are some obvious signs of surface corrosion, there is little in the way of penetrating rust. There might be some around the rear wheel opening on the passenger side, but the prone lower extremities and the area around the rear window all show promise. The owner provides no information on the floors or frame, so this potential project might require an in-person inspection. The panels look pretty straight, with no evidence of anything beyond a few minor dings and bruises. Someone has removed a lot of the trim and chrome, but with the trunk and the back seat containing piles of parts, I wouldn’t be surprised if everything is present. The glass appears to be in good order and taken at face value, this is a restoration project that shows some promise.

Turning our attention to the interior, and the first thing to note is that the clock and the bright trim pieces are missing from the dash. Once again, there are plenty of parts in the back seat, so these may be there. The seats will require new covers, and the door trims and remaining upholstered surfaces generally look tired. The surprise packet is the headliner, which looks like it might respond positively to a deep clean. I don’t think that the carpet is original, but given its respectable condition and its match with the paint, it could stay after the buyer treats it to a bit of a scrub. The plated trim pieces appear to be in good order, while the dash still houses its original pushbutton AM radio.

The owner doesn’t supply any engine photos, but the engine bay should house the 370 ci V8 and a 4-speed Hydramatic transmission if everything is numbers-matching. This V8 would’ve produced 270hp when it was new, allowing the Catalina to storm the ¼ mile in 16.9 seconds. Given enough space, this Pontiac would’ve run out of breath at around 117mph. In 1958, both of those figures were considered mighty impressive. The owner says that the Catalina ran when parked, but judging by the layer of dust that the vehicle wears, it was parked many years (or possibly decades) ago. However, the owner states that the V8 does turn freely, so it might be possible to coax it back to life without spending a fortune.

As a project car, this 1958 Pontiac Chieftain Catalina shows a lot of promise. It is also a significant vehicle because it marked the final year that the Catalina was considered as a trim level, rather than a model in its own right. If the car is as rust-free as the photos would seem to suggest, it could represent a straightforward restoration project that the next owner could potentially tackle in a home workshop. The harsh reality is that the owner will probably need to be willing to undertake at least some of the work themselves if it is to remain financially viable. Values have remained pretty stagnant in recent years, and even a pristine example struggles to top $35,000 in today’s market. However, if you are adept at swinging a spanner and wielding a spray gun, this Pontiac might be worth a closer look.