1959 Pontiac Catalina Convertible. Manufactured in 59 and 60. The Catalina, though it was priced and trimmed below the Impala due to GM's overlapping price structure formula. Catalinas had more standard amenities than Chevrolet models and included a larger and more powerful V8 engine. Also a much better automatic transmission than their Chevrolet counterparts - the four-speed Hydra-Matic - versus Chevy's two-speed Powerglide. The Catalina featured a split grill, which was one of Pontiacs many “firsts” that was carried on though many generations, including the GTO. The Catalina was Pontiac's most popular model and the base platform for many iconic, popular cars - Pontiac Grand Prix, Pontiac 2+2, Pontiac Ventura, and the Pontiac Safari station wagon. The Pontiac Tempest was introduced in 1964, lessons learned from the Catalina & Grand Prix led to the introduction of the Pontiac GTO, to include the 389 cu in (6.4 L) Pontiac V8. Though the basic Catalina started out with a full rubber mat, it could be ordered with full carpeting, glovebox and trunk lights; dual front ashtrays, cigar lighter, glove compartment snack bar (two cup indents on the glovebox door that could be opened for use at drive-in restaurants) were standard. Body shape wise, Twin tailfins in a V, like some jet fighter planes, two on each side, were new and only in 1959. Styling highlights include thin-pillar rooflines and greater use of glass for increased visibility. Paint & Body. Nice C code Cameo Ivory paint covers good sheet metal. Great lines, gaps and body fit. Very nice chrome rear bumper curves up on the ends and makes a down curving trim piece creating beautiful symmetry. In the end of each meeting of the two pieces is in elliptical brake lamp with a chrome bezel. The gas tank filler cap was offset to the passenger side of the car to allow the trunk lock to be centered. Centered across the back, chrome emblem letters spelling “Pontiac.” This side trim is a little minimalistic but the front bumper design makes up for it. The front bumper is a two piece, the top part wraps around the fenders and angles down, the lower piece curves upward creating an air gap and pleasing white space. The grill is a rectangular open rectangular grid. Classy bezels surround the dual headlights. Sitting atop each fender is a bullet with a long tail piece that tapers into a poly. Your eye naturally follows this to the Beautiful Chrome surround on the windshield. Interior is stunning Morrokide vinyl upholstery - Turquoise and sky blue 2 Tone. The dash pad is perfectly installed stretched vinyl, there is not a ripple or a crease all the way across. “Immaculate pride of work & craftsmanship is completely obvious.” Three big round gauges are centered behind a wrapped steering wheel. Heater / defroster work. Full wheel covers, deluxe steering wheel, chrome pedal trim plates - Which this Car has. The 1959 Pontiacs split grille, came about by accident when the styling studio was exploring grille design. Experimentally, a design for a conventional, full width, oval grille, containing horizontal quad headlights, was cut in two and the halves transposed. With the lights remaining at the extremities, this gave the split center, open ended look of the '59 Catalina. Along with the wider body came a 5 wider chassis in which the wheels were moved out towards the fenders. This not only improved the appearance of the car but led to improvements in ride and handling - spawning the term wide track ride and handling which Pontiac would use in its promotional efforts for many years to come. Catalinas came standard with a 235 horsepower (175 kW) version of the 389 with two-barrel carburetor and 8.6 to 1 compression mated to the three-speed manual transmission. Available as a no-cost option with the Hydramatic transmission was the 215-horsepower 389 (dubbed the Economy V8) with 8.6 to 1 compression ratio which burned cheaper regular gasoline, instead of the premium and super-premium fuels required for the high-compression engines, and capable of achieving more than 20 MPG on the highway. Optionally available at extra cost were higher-power versions of the 389 V8 with four-barrel carburetion rated at 283 horsepower (211 kW) with manual gearbox or 303 hp with Hydramatic, a 4-barrel carburetor version with a horsepower rating of 318 hp, or Tri-Power options with triple two-barrel carburetors and 330 hp or 345 hp (257 kW). Another fine example of when “cars were cars!” They had shapes and they had character. They were not concerned about being streamlined other than the design aspect not as a wind tunnel airflow gas economy issue. They, including this beauty are true works of Art. The car looks runs and handles excellent. 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