1969 Pontiac Catalina Convertible

Original-Owner 1969 Pontiac Catalina Convertible for sale on BaT Auctions - ending December 29 (Lot #62,464) | Bring a Trailer

 

Is it my eyes, or is there a gap between the header and the hood center? Otherwise, what a beauty!

 

Nope your eyes are still good.

 

Knock on wood. *raps knuckles on table* Come in!

 

Composite nose on the ‘69 full size Pontiacs are notorious for decomposing. Finding a replacement in good condition is virtually impossible and no one manufacturers replacements.

 

Yup, the endura on these disintegrated after a few years, even outside of the sun.

 

They do make a fiberglass nose for the 69 Pontiac Full size cars. I am told they work well with a bit of "fitting"

https://replica-plastics.com/product/front-nose/

This one is pretty loaded for a Catalina, with A/C, Power Top, Steering & Brakes, to go along with the AM/FM Radio & rear seat speaker. Looks like a nice solid project car.

 

Friend of mine had a 69 Bonneville convertible in bright red paint with white interior and top, a real head turner. Only difference I can remember between the Bonnie and this Catalina is a color insert on the rear bumper and a 4barrel carb, maybe it had a better interior and power windows but who knows. Ronnie where are you ?

 

I just had a thought, it died of loneliness. Seriously though, I'm willing to bet someone could rapid prototype this header and 3D print it, using a 'flexible' plastic.

 

The Bonneville's still had a longer wheel base and a longer trunk extension behind the rear wheels up until the 71 Model year. After that the extension was in the front fenders thru about 73 or 74. But the wheelbase of the Bonneville's was only around 1" longer, so nothing major. You almost have to have the 2 models parked side by side to notice the difference.

 

SOLD FOR $14,250 ON 12/29/21

 

That nose must have been off putting. That seems really low to me.

 

Considering the scarcity of said noses, I'm not surprised. It's why I asked if one could be rapid prototyped on a 3D printer, to see if a usable replacement could be made, out of a material other than fiberglass.

 

It was bought by a member of a Pontiac Forum I frequent, he has 1 spare used nose to put on it. Apparently the cracking issue appeared while the cars were still under warranty, there where 2 versions factory installed, and they both cracked, then later a 3rd version was available as a service replacement part that was made out of the same material as the 68-72 GTO noses. It is said to hold up well and if it cracks is repairable like the GTO parts. That is the style he has.
It is going to a good home, he has many Pontiac's (all 1969) I think it was well bought!

 

That's good to hear. Even if he intends to resell it after repairs, it sounds like it's in very good hands for repair and resale.