389 Tri-Power: 1961 Pontiac Catalina Convertible
This 1961 Pontiac Catalina Convertible ticks many of the right boxes for someone seeking a turnkey classic. Its presentation is almost impossible to fault, and it is rust-free. However, it could be the Tri-Power V8 under the hood that is the icing on a very tasty cake. Barn Finder T.J. spotted this magnificent machine, so I must say a big thank you. The Catalina is listed here on eBay in Bremen, Georgia. It comes with a BIN of $60,000, although there is the option to make an offer.
I’m going to stick my neck out and say that I can’t think of many Convertibles that look better with their top up rather than down. I believe this Catalina proves that because dropping its Brown Stayfast top gives the car a sleeker and more refined appearance. The top is in excellent order, and the rest of the exterior continues that theme. The seller states the Catalina spent most of its life in Arizona and underwent a frame-off restoration that included a repaint in its original shade of Mayan Gold. It is unclear when this occurred, but I found a previous listing for this gem which indicates that a former owner performed the work before 2011. The paint shines beautifully, covering panels that are dead straight. There is no visible rust, and the comprehensive collection of underside shots reveals the floors and rails to be as clean as you could hope to find in a vehicle from this era. The restoration must have included a refurbishment of the chrome and trim because it is in as-new condition. Rounding out the exterior is my favorite optional Pontiac feature from the 1960s. The car rolls on 8-lug wheels, which I believe are among the best-looking production wheels to find their way onto an American classic.
One of the problems with owning a Convertible is that with the top down, it is impossible to hide any interior upholstery or trim issues. That isn’t a problem with this Pontiac because its interior is immaculate. The attention it received during the restoration returned it to as-new condition, and it appears to have been treated respectfully since. It is upholstered in a stunning combination of two-tone Medium and Dark Fawn Morrokide that is flawless. There is no wear or signs of abuse, with the dash and carpet in a similar state. If Pontiac still existed and you dropped this classic in one of its showrooms, it wouldn’t look out of place. Comfort and convenience features include a Circ-L-Aire heater and a Super Deluxe AM radio with an optional rear speaker.
With a curb weight of 3,980lbs, the Pontiac is a heavy beast. Therefore, it needs something special under the hood to help it hold its own in traffic and on the open road. The company delivered with the 1961 Catalina because all variants rolled out of the factory with the legendary 389ci V8 in various states of tune. The restoration of this car featured a mechanical rebuild and the addition of a Tri-Power setup to boost power. This beauty should send 318hp to the rear wheels via a three-speed automatic transmission. For those intent on relaxed touring, this Convertible features power assistance for the steering and brakes. Considering its weight and target market, the ¼-mile ET of 16.2 seconds and a top speed of 132mph was nothing to sneeze at. The seller supplies no information on the car’s mechanical health, but the engine bay presentation and their emphasis on its overall condition suggest all the buyer needs to do is slip behind the wheel and drive off into the sunset.
Pontiac produced 113,354 Catalinas across all variants in 1961, but only 12,379 buyers selected the Convertible. Natural attrition and rust claimed many, but this one has survived all that previous owners, and Mother Nature could throw at it. You have to look hard to find any significant faults or defects, and although it isn’t 100% original, recent sales results suggest the BIN price is justified. It perfectly combines stunning good looks, excellent performance, and a desirable list of options. The previous listing I found for this Convertible confirms that it sold in 2011 for $31,900. The price isn’t pocket change, but climbing values since that sale and the car’s overall condition confirm that the figure is justified. That’s why I won’t be surprised if it finds a new home before the listing ends.
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Comments
The Kelsey-Hayes eight-lug wheels on this are wonderful.
Look great and work great.
The best looking set of wheels on any car combined with good looks is a gorgeous combination. Pontiac has always been my favorite car brand from the 1960s especially that Grand Prix!
The 60, 61 and 62 Pontiacs we’re the very best designs of the postwar era.
Love the GP 🏁especially the loaded luxury models.
$60K for a…….. Pontiac? Perhaps in 75 years, with the car keeping this condition…
In 75 years it is unlikely to be usable in any meaningful way. Sooner if some have their way. Buy now if you can.
Nice car. Standard interior hurts it. I think the tripower emblems are 1958. Not sure they used them in 61, but they’re cool.
My father had a 61′ Pontiac Ventura convert. I took my road test in it in 1970, loved that car.
As a just graduated high school student framing condos in Colorado in the very early seventies I actually LIVED in a ’61 Pontiac airport limousine that had the rear seats removed and a deck built for a mattress . And…it was purple.!
I parked it on switchbacks in Breckenridge and Frisco to sleep lol. A little fat guy purporting to be THE ANSWER to whatever question silly people were asking, the Guru Maharaji, was popular. I slapped a giant round vinyl sticker of his face on the front doors and used to go to concerts in Boulder at Tulagis……..”chicks” dug it :)
As for the Pontiac, loved the disappearing speedo line and think the overall design is quite pleasing. A ’61 Pontiac convertible would have been hard to give away not too long ago so once again I’m out of sync with the ask.
But it is pretty.
Don’t see a picture of the Tri-power setup in any of the e-bay photos, only on the Barn find site.
WOW! Probably one of the best looking Pontiacs ever.
I really like the full size cars of the sixties. And I mean GM, Ford, Mopar and AMC. I like them all. But these Pontiacs especially the convertibles are the ones that get my full attention. I’d sure like to park this in my garage but dream on.
Sweet ,60k tops and that’s high
1961 was a very good year to go Wide Track with a very beautiful Catalina. I have my Poncho, a 1965 GTO and love every minute I take it out for a drive! The 8 lug factory rims on this are the icing on the cake for me!
I had no idea you could get eight lug wheels on a mid-size Pontiac. You learn something new every day! As long as it’s right that is.
My first car that l bought when l was 15 in 1969 for $150. was a blue one without the 8 lugs…. Solid car with no flaws or problems too
1961, was my favorite year, as I owned a 1961 Bonneville convertible as my first car. I kike all the models of this year’s car, Catalina, Ventura, Bonneville, Star Cheif, and Tempest.
Good luck with 132 mph top end!
DROOL, 61, 62. I bought a dark blue 62 Catalina convertible in 1981. It had 3x2s ac, power antenna. Windows, skirts, just all kinds on neat stuff. The ran nice, I paid the original owner 100.00 bucks for it. There was rust here and there as it was a northeast US car. Unfortunately some of that here and there rust was in the chassis where the rear trailering arms attached. Well as a 17 year old Houligan rolled along the arm on the right side broke free..oh boy, what a ride. Skirts,chrome, rust, dust, wheelcovers, and whatever else went flying every which way. Once I got the mess stopped, so much for new brake lines and a single bowl master cylinder. On the upside as the rear pulled back the car became optioned with an automatic parking brake, too bad it was only on one side. The frame had been patched( I’ll use that term loosely). I had the remains hauled to my layer where it laid instate into my 20s at which time I was they working in a wrecking yard. I have its final photo flat at the bottom of the stack on the truck leaving for the shred. I replaced it with a 64 Bonny, same color but no ac or 3x2s that I still have…but dang I love 61s and 62s. I saw many for sale over the years and I always crawled underneath and then crawled away….
Ron, the paint critic again! Now this is nice paint. Although, the paint on the hood and and the driver’s side fender is slightly off color. That is the only slightly mismatched paint that I see. Overall the car is really nice. Someone took the time under the hood to put it back as original as possible. The black paint looks to be about 80 percent black, like it should be.The inner fenders aren’t flat black from a rattle can or high gloss black like i see on other hack jobs.The firewall is immaculate. All the paint down the sides match perfectly. Doors align really well with normal clearance.
The interior is bland with an automatic transmission, but that is original. I respect the fact the no one changed anything.
It’s good to see a nicely restored vehicle other than a Chevelle or a Camaro. That was supposedly the reason for Christine? It was the forgotten vehicle. Everyone was too concerned about owning a 1957 Chevrolet and overlooked everything else.
My cousin bought a new Pontiac Gran Prix in 62 or 63? Not sure. I remember it was a four speed and a 421 motor and eight lug wheels. A luxury race car.
It takes an extremely long time and a lot of money to bring a vehicle back to this condition, regardless of the condition before you start out. It’s really not feasible to do something like this. So this asking price probably still doesn’t leave the seller with very much profit?
I would love to say that i own this vehicle. Nice job!
I think what you’re seeing is not “mismatched” paint, but rather the way the paint is applied. I forget the exact word that’s used, but it has to do with how the metallic content in the paint stands up or lays down – which is a function of how the paint was sprayed. It could have been sprayed from a different direction is all it takes. That’s the way I understood it.
Love this. A neighbor in the next subdivision had a convertible just like this in white with black top & interior. They had just moved here to Long Island from the Midwest. Probably the late ’60s, when I was seven or eight I noticed it while riding my bike around the neighborhood. I seem to remember the back window was missing and I think it belonged to one of their teenaged kids. Wasn’t in that great condition it seemed in my kid mind, but it did look “cool” to me. This one here is nice and I really like the wheels. Interior looks stripper-ey, but still like it. Good luck selling it. Price might be a tad on the high side.
I know that you know that the rear windows were opened with a zipper and back then people would unzip the window and leave it open for ventilation in the summer. Being of a certain age, it brings back memories to me!
At 17 in 78 I bought a 66 2 door ventura for 300,
headers straight exhaust and hotter cam later, it was a flat 14 sec. car.