Found a 1966 Pontiac Catalina convertible with 389 Tri-power - Whats it Worth ???

[Green Machine]

Saw a 1966 Pontiac Catalina 2 door convertible with 389 Tri-power while driving around today. Body is straight with fairly new good quality paint, not an excellent paint job, but very nice, sorry don't have any pics, it is a gray color with black original interior, one small rip in dirivers seat. No obvious rust repair done, nice white top, has A/C, auto Turbo 400, with 90,000 original miles, nice chrome, pretty darn decent overall. Wondering what that might be worth before I call. I know a 66 Chevy Impala convertible would bring pretty good bucks, but are these as sought after ? The Tri-power setup is worth some extra I would guess, If you have some idea of it's value, please post back - Thanks.

[ed455]

Don't know value, but those big old catalina's are awesome sleds. I saw one at the BOP races at Bristol, TN do 10.17 a few years ago in full sheetmetal and interior and even fender skirts. You shoulda seen that big old sled hand the hoops!

They are one of the coolest looking cars IMO.

[Leinie]

It's hard for anyone to put a price tag on something they haven't seen. I could guess anywhere from 3- 12 k
It all depends on 3 H's

How bad you want it

How much $ you've got

How bad they need to sell it

[bagged91]

While they aren't quite as popular as the Impala, the Cat's are a sweet car. When you say gray color, are you meaning like a grayish green color?(My grandmothers 66' Catalina is that color). With the trip's on it, that definitely adds to the value along with the A/C(if complete & working). Another option that is nice in them is the AM/FM with the reverb unit(not sure is this one is equiped. Loaded like that and with decent paint, chrome & interior, I'm sure the car is in the 7-10K range.


Couple things to watch out for on them:

You can't get a repo battery tray for them(yet). The battery tray when it goes bad tends to rot the core support out and also rots the bumper from the backside out on the lower corner under the battery.

You can't get new drums for them yet(I'm talking 5 lug std drums, not the 6 lug ones, I think they're 6, could be 8??? I forget)

Don't order a front end kit for one from Kanter. They send Packard tierod ends for it!

Y pipes are non exhistent for them... Custom exhaust shop can duplicate it though...

The plastic fender extensions that go around the headlight bezels often crack at the peak and aren't available new BUT you can get the one's off a 66' Bonneville and they bolt right on and they are cast metal...

Dashpads, door panels & the "clear" steering wheels aren't available yet either.

For chrome, the "Bumper Boyz" in So. Cal. offer replated stuff for them with your core as an exchange. Quality is decent and prices aren't bad.

Let us know how you make out with it!

Oh, my grandparents bought the 66' Catalina new. My dad had tried to get them to get the 2 + 2 Ventura hardtop, 421 Tri-power, 4 spd car but they wanted to be "practicle" and ordered a plain Catalina 4dr sdn, 389, t400, AM, no a/c, blackwalls with pieplates. Car had 21K garage kept miles when my dad got it from them in the mid 80's. He has since put skirts, duals, knockoff caps and the AM/FM reverb in it.

[Green Machine]

Bagged91 - Thanks for the info, it does have the am/fm radio, don't know about reverb, will have to go check it out. Its just amazing the amout of expertise and good advice available here - thanks again.

[Fred T]

Don't forget to take your magnet hidden inside a red rag to check for bondo. Sometimes you have to tell the seller that you can feel the metal better with the red rag.

[Dick Dale]

Try here. Look under Big Pontiacs. That car could be worth good money. Pontiacs are popular cars witha big following. Look for 8 lug rims, Vaccum gauge in console, and run the VIN through Pontiac Historical Society. http://216.178.81.108/forums/

[bagged91]

Originally Posted by Dick Dale

Try here. Look under Big Pontiacs. That car could be worth good money. Pontiacs are popular cars witha big following. Look for 8 lug rims, Vaccum gauge in console, and run the VIN through Pontiac Historical Society. http://216.178.81.108/forums/

I thought they were 8 lug! I second the PHS documentation. It will let you know if that car is REALLY a tri power car, ect...

[e_mashek]

Originally Posted by Green Machine

Saw a 1966 Pontiac Catalina 2 door convertible with 389 Tri-power while driving around today. Body is straight with fairly new good quality paint, not an excellent paint job, but very nice, sorry don't have any pics, it is a gray color with black original interior, one small rip in dirivers seat. No obvious rust repair done, nice white top, has A/C, auto Turbo 400, with 90,000 original miles, nice chrome, pretty darn decent overall. Wondering what that might be worth before I call. I know a 66 Chevy Impala convertible would bring pretty good bucks, but are these as sought after ? The Tri-power setup is worth some extra I would guess, If you have some idea of it's value, please post back - Thanks.

If you decide not to get it, please get me in contact with the owner. Been looking for one of these. e_mashek@yahoo.com

[PanelDeland]

I saw a 66 Buick Riviera sell for $18,000.00 in excelent stock condition.It had the 2-4's on it and was loaded factory hi-po.Everything on it worked so I would guess the $8000.00-18,000.00 range depending on condition.