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History The Car That Never Was: 1959 Pontiac El Catalina

Discussion in 'Traditional Customs' started by Jive-Bomber, Dec 4, 2018.

  1. Jive-Bomber
    Joined: Aug 21, 2001
    Posts: 3,754

    Jive-Bomber
    MODERATOR

    Jive-Bomber submitted a new blog post:

    The Car That Never Was: 1959 Pontiac El Catalina

    [​IMG]

    Continue reading the Original Blog Post
     
    j-jock, Gman0046, catdad49 and 4 others like this.
  2. Very classy. Watched it go across the auction block on TV. So glad it still exists.
     
  3. Rolleiflex
    Joined: Oct 25, 2007
    Posts: 1,243

    Rolleiflex
    Member

    There are several Pontiac "El Camino" styled vehicles out there. Most of them miss the mark in proportions. This one is so right! Of course what else would one expect of a GM prototype.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     

  4. typo41
    Joined: Jul 8, 2011
    Posts: 2,571

    typo41
    Member Emeritus

    But was there a Buick El Copio???
     
    czuch likes this.
  5. Jive-Bomber
    Joined: Aug 21, 2001
    Posts: 3,754

    Jive-Bomber
    MODERATOR

    I did find this bitchin' model kit of one:
    59-buick-custo.jpg
    59BuickCustom.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

  6. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 19,138

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

    Gawd I love this shot (snow)!
    And that interior, not a thread out of place.
    Why does this Chevy guy get all warm and fuzzy looking at this car???
     
    Chavezk21 and Deuces like this.
  7. B.A.KING
    Joined: Apr 6, 2005
    Posts: 4,039

    B.A.KING
    Member

    I got 2 el Caminos... I want one of these......How much did it sell for at Auction???
     
  8. B.A.KING
    Joined: Apr 6, 2005
    Posts: 4,039

    B.A.KING
    Member

    $340,000, lets see monthly payments......x todays interest rates,
    Dang I'd just like to find front sheet metal to put on a elky rear.
    That car has GREAT LINES............
     
    Deuces likes this.
  9. verde742
    Joined: Aug 11, 2010
    Posts: 6,267

    verde742
    Member

    OT but remember another GM project? THE "el Marocco"

    in 1957 . Could NOT have sold many... yet they produced 'em[​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2018
    catdad49, Deuces, mgtstumpy and 3 others like this.
  10. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 17,388

    Squablow
    Member

    Really pretty car, and I hate to be "that guy", but it should be La Catalina, or El Catalino.

    There are a few El Camino/GTO mashups around based on the Malibu sized El Camino. I'd like to see a 1960 version, they had nice lines that would also translate well into pickup form.
     
    longhorizon likes this.
  11. Murphy32
    Joined: Oct 17, 2007
    Posts: 753

    Murphy32
    Member
    from Minnesota

    Here's my version:

    [​IMG]
     
    catdad49, Deuces and Ron Funkhouser like this.
  12. Hot Rods Ta Hell
    Joined: Apr 20, 2008
    Posts: 4,670

    Hot Rods Ta Hell
    Member

    Verde: About 20 El Morocco's each year ( 1956/57 ), not made by GM, but a 3rd party independent, attaching Cad quarters and trim, etc. to Chevy's.

    '59 Olds version by Titus;

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2018
    catdad49, stanlow69, verde742 and 3 others like this.
  13. mgtstumpy
    Joined: Jul 20, 2006
    Posts: 9,214

    mgtstumpy
    Member

    Wow, what gorgeous car. If only! :D
     
    Deuces likes this.
  14. 31 B'ville
    Joined: Feb 7, 2009
    Posts: 376

    31 B'ville
    Member
    from SE Pa
    1. All Things Pontiac

    Here it is , built decades ago by the late Larry "Gib" Mahle, decades ago. 1960 El Bonneville,Larry Mahle.jpg
     
    ffr1222k, Squablow, Hnstray and 6 others like this.
  15. KoolKat-57
    Joined: Feb 22, 2010
    Posts: 3,073

    KoolKat-57
    Member
    from Dublin, OH

    pictures 111.JPG pictures 113.JPG pictures 112.JPG 1960 El Poncho
    KK
     
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2018
    bryanyeskie, ffr1222k, j-jock and 6 others like this.
  16. 1959 Canadian Pontiac front clip bolts on with NO mods at all. Find a wagon for rear 1/4's and have at it
     
  17. garage2small
    Joined: May 25, 2012
    Posts: 660

    garage2small
    Member

    20180715_071803.jpg 20180715_071819.jpg This car is still around in East Tennessee, saw it at Cars and coffee in Knoxville either this spring or last fall. Don't think its the same car though the Mahle car has Bonneville script and this has Star Chief also notice the white top and lack of lower front fender badge. But it is curious that two of these would be made and in the same color!
     
  18. stuart in mn
    Joined: Nov 22, 2007
    Posts: 2,406

    stuart in mn
    Member

    There were at least two 1960 'El Safari' cars built, as shown above. If you look closely, I believe the one with the white top has shorter doors than the other one. I've seen one or two built from 1955-1957 Pontiacs as well.
     
  19. Slopok
    Joined: Jan 30, 2012
    Posts: 2,919

    Slopok
    Member

    The Star Chief one appears to have used a 4 door rear window, much longer curved sides than the others.
    More wrap around glass.
     
  20. verde742
    Joined: Aug 11, 2010
    Posts: 6,267

    verde742
    Member

    OK, never heard story of el Morocco's ... thanks

    the two Pontiacs are SO DIFFERENT, start with the tailites and move forward >> crazy, they BOTH NEEDED SKIRTS?
     
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2018
  21. Deuces
    Joined: Nov 3, 2009
    Posts: 23,753

    Deuces

    Very cool indeed.... :cool:
     
  22. classiccarjack
    Joined: Jun 30, 2009
    Posts: 1,465

    classiccarjack
    Member

    I like the Pontiac version better... To bad it wasn't mass produced.

    Sent from my Moto Z (2) using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
     
  23. Blade58
    Joined: Mar 5, 2012
    Posts: 363

    Blade58
    Member
    from apopka ,Fl

    It's a Beauty !
     
  24. Hot Rods Ta Hell
    Joined: Apr 20, 2008
    Posts: 4,670

    Hot Rods Ta Hell
    Member

    Nice looking lines.
    Yeah, the short door w wraparound glass looks to be converted from a 4 door. Not picking on the car, but if you look closely, there seems to be a wave in the body side (between the side trim lines) where the back door jamb was.

    Would be interesting to see a 2 dr. (long door) done with the 4 dr wraparound glass. Would shorten up that extremely long quarter/bed another 6" or so...
     
  25. Atwater Mike
    Joined: May 31, 2002
    Posts: 11,625

    Atwater Mike
    Member

    Pontiac 'El Caminos'. 'Imagineering' at its best. Appreciated the posts in this one, many more than I thought.
    I also thought Pontiacs were wider in body panels, never thought Pontiac sheet metal could be applied to Chevy El Camino...
    What you can learn on the HAMB!
     
  26. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 17,388

    Squablow
    Member

    El Poncho, that's perfect! Perfect name, really exceptionally well executed, and I love the third tail light added to the top of the tailgate! Fender scripts are a really nice touch as well. My hat's off to that builder.
     
  27. oldspert
    Joined: Sep 10, 2006
    Posts: 1,263

    oldspert
    Member
    from Texas

    There is an El Moroco for sale in East Texas.
     
  28. Stogy
    Joined: Feb 10, 2007
    Posts: 26,345

    Stogy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    What's not to like...Its a beautiful one off...and it survived. A lot of companies destroy the prototypes no doubt GM did it to. The era of Automobile we celebrate here and the performance related factory offerings are always intriguing to study.

    Thanks @Jive-Bomber...;)
     

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