421 Tri-Power: 1963 Pontiac Catalina
The seller describes this 1963 Pontiac Catalina as a show-quality classic, and the photos support that claim. It is more than a pretty face, with its 421ci Tri-Power V8 providing power to match its looks. It would suit an enthusiast seeking a road-ready vehicle that will turn heads wherever it goes. Its next journey could be to a new home, with the seller listing it here on eBay in Eagle, Idaho. Intense bidding has pushed the price to $24,000, although it is unsurprising that this figure sits below the reserve.
Writing for Barn Finds is an honor and a privilege, but it comes with a disadvantage many readers won’t initially recognize. We feature some stunning classics, and I would love to park more than a few in my garage. If I had the money to fulfill those desires, my garage would be about the size of your average shopping mall car park. This Catalina is one such vehicle because every aspect is stunning. It received a repaint in Cordovan Brown, and most of the supplied photos failed to do the color justice. However, this one is the exception, revealing an incredible depth of shine and color. The panels are laser-straight, with gaps as tight and consistent as you would expect from any classic where the owner has an eye for detail. The listing indicates the car retains 100% of its original steel, with no history of rust issues or accident damage. The seller states that the underside is beautifully detailed, and I see no reason to doubt that. The trim and glass are as flawless as the panels and paint, and the beautiful eight-lug wheels and Coker tires round out what can only be considered a classy vehicle.
This Catalina is a car where you almost hope to find a flaw or defect so you can say it isn’t perfect. Its interior is unlikely to provide that opportunity because it looks fantastic. It features Tri-Tone Ventura upholstery, reinforcing my belief that cars from this era possess some of the classiest interiors in automotive history. I wouldn’t care if there were no factory options because any journey inside this classic would feel like a special occasion. The upholstered surfaces are spotless, and I doubt the back seat has ever seen occupants. The beautiful pearl and translucent factory wheel is free from cracks, while the dash and carpet are spotless. Factory options include a radio with the optional rear speaker and a tachometer, with additional gauges under the dash monitoring the health of the beast under the hood.
It would be slightly unfair to describe everything to this point as an automotive entree, but many enthusiasts would consider the engine bay this Pontiac’s main course. It presents as impressively as the rest of the car but is more than a pretty face. This Catalina features the Tri-Power-equipped 421ci HO V8, producing a staggering 370hp and 460 ft/lbs of torque. Having all those ponies to play with is pointless if the car can’t effectively apply them to Planet Earth. This classic does so via a four-speed M20 manual transmission and a Posi rear end. The Pontiac tips the scales at 3,860 lbs, making its ¼-mile ET of 14.4 seconds and a top speed of 146mph extremely impressive. However, driving this car gently would produce a civilized motoring experience and reasonable fuel consumption for a vehicle of this type. The good news for potential buyers is that the car is in excellent mechanical health. It happily kicks into life at the first turn of the key. It runs and drives perfectly, so if the new owner fancies flying in and driving it home, that dream could be a reality.
I have spent considerable time studying the photos of this 1963 Pontiac Catalina, and I struggle to find anything worth criticizing. Given enough time, I’m sure that could change, but I can only agree with the seller’s assessment that it is a show-quality classic. Its drivetrain adds to its desirability, raising the question of the auction reserve. That is a tough call, but instinct tells me the figure will be north of $50,000. It could be lower, although I wouldn’t bet the farm on it. This is your chance to take a swing at the estimate. It will be fascinating to see if anyone nails the exact price. So, over to you.
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Comments
A MOST beautiful example. I would have added factory a/c when ordering. But, alas I wasn’t there to do so.
At least the seller mentions the 8-lug wheels, a huge selling point for this vintage of Pontiac. But there’s no direct picture of them in the listing, and in a rare lapse of observation Barn Finds’ premier writer neglects to mention them in his otherwise excellent reportage.
I see the wheels in one picture.
3860lbs, 3.42 gear ⚙️
Top of the line motor and trans option.
What a powerhouse Poncho here.
Too cool. 😎 🏁
I’m disappointed in the pics. Being a car from the year I was born I want to see more of the body and not the bad attempt of being artistic.
now I feel old you say car from the year you were born it’s from the year I graduated high school
Yeah Al these were new cars when we were in high school really miss that time in my life lot of cool cars coming from the factories
I remain puzzled by many sellers use of poor quality images. In this case the images of grainy scanned images do the car no service. This car and many others deserve better than images taken with a cellphone camera.
Spending a relatively few dollars on professional photography should provide images which emphasize the car and not its surroundings.
Is that a factory color?
Yes, Cordovan. Chevy had the same name. Olds used it too.
Is there a PHS or some documentation to validate the 421 engine was ordered from the factory ?
I only have 2 words, beautiful car!
I want it
Where does BF get their 1/4 ET’s??? No way does this Catalina beat a ’68 Z28, (in this same email) 14.4 vs 15.2!
For example, at Detroit Dragway a lightened 1963 Catalina running the big 421-cubic-inch, 405-horsepower Super Duty V-8 stormed through the quarter-mile in 12.38 seconds at 116.23 mph.
I just googled it. My 389’s push my tuna boats pretty good Jeff
I can say that my 4 speed, 62 with the 425A option and a 3.42 gear consistently ran 14.4s in the quarter. So the time is not out of the question. Any good running 68 Z28 should run very low 14s.
Does this car have a Swiss cheese frame?
No, thats probably what clicked a 12 off. I think they made only 11 of those.
If I still owned a Prius, I would mount one of those license plates on the front of it…
’63 Catalina Tri Power!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cy25Fz1sVU
I had one very similar back in the 70s. Mine was maroon with red interior buckets and console. Same powertrain. Shoulda kept it.
I like PONTIACS
THE OLD ONES.
What is wrong with an Aztek lol???
Manual Steering & manual brakes?. My ’63 Bonneville Safari has power steering & brakes, & with the 8 lug drums, it’s a feat to stop.
I can’t imagine manual drum brakes driving one of these today. I guess all that matters is a 4 speed & 3 carburetors, nothing else regarding handling matters………
Looks like my 1963 Pontiac Parisienne ( but I had a convertible) Miss it Got married and my wife made me sell it, she didn.t like convertibles!!! Knowing what I do now, I should have sold her instead!!!
This was my car back in 1987. I restored it ground up when I was 19 yrs. old. It’s painted with Glasurit base coat clearcoat. It made it’s way up to me on the west coast of Canada in about 1982 when a friends cousin purchased it in the US and brought it into Canada and I bought it several years later. It is a US model so very rare up here. My buddy and I raced my other car,a 1988 Porsche Carrera Cab against it and they were dead even from light to light. The torque was amazing and the sound of the tri power was beautiful. It had a Hurst shifter when I had it but now appears to have an original shifter in it. Wish I could afford to buy it back. I think I paid about $1500. for it and sold it back to a gentleman in Washington State at a collector car auction for $12,500 US.