Projects Barn find - 1964 Pontiac Catalina 421 early custom car

Seems like it might be a while, but I am really excited to see the paint. Good luck in finding a correct enough lace to use. The work that’s been done so far looks top notch. And extra praise for restoring those wheels, a set of new astros would really have bummed me out!

 

Thanks for the comments, yes of the 4 speed manul 421 4bbl in 1964, mine is one of 1032 that were made. So it makes it a rare car anyway, then it has all this history with it. I could have done another restoration and taken it back to the Marimba Red, but I liked the history with this car, the fact that this style of custom had such a short life. The lace was only the second car that Jon Kosmoski had painted like this. I felt I had to keep this history with the car.
I'm also lucky having the original owner (Bob Langham) help me with the smaller details and not to do things to the car that he regretted later. It's been a long journey...looking forward when I can show Bob the finished car as he had it back in 1967/68.

 

I remember when these came out, my old man took our '62 Impala SS down and had a set mounted on chrome reverse wheels. I was all of 8 or 9, fully enamored with everything "hot rod"

 

Looks like some serious Hygge!

 

Haha...yes it certainly has. I've picked that up from the Danes since moving here about 4 years ago

 

Incidentally, I think Marimba Red is one of my new favorite colors.

 

yes, it is a great colour, if the car didn't have the history it does, I would have gone back to the original colour.

 

Good to see updates, the tach resto looks amazing. That gold '64 Impala on the hoist is no slouch, either.

 

Thanks for the comments. Yes the Gold Impala is a nice car, but it's Bob's own car...

 

Thanks for this...yes, I'm trying to restore this to it's late 60's custom. I've enjoyed my conversations with Bob as to what he might have done next to the car at the time. We have to remember this was just someone making small changes to his car as he didn't want to show the same car each year. I've tried to catalogue the photos into each of the changes from paint, pinstripes, interior, wheels etc.
It's not about doing what I would like or what other people might think looks best, it's all about trying to be respectful or the original idea of this custom and get as close as I can to that look and feel.

 

Apologies if you have mentioned it previously, how is Bob's recovery going?

 

Thanks for asking Pete, I think he has good days and bad days. I actually heard from him yesterday and he said that over the holiday period it was a little rough for him as he was back in hospital again for about 5 days. He is now getting better, but not back to normal yet.
Considering the severity of his accident I think has done an amazing job to be where he is.

 

Not much to post this time, Bob has been busy getting settled in to his new workshop, I know he is building a new paint booth etc. But he sent me these photos of the most recent work this week. As you might remember the rear lower fenders had a little work left to do, so this is work in progress as he repairs theses areas on both sides of the car.

 

First update in a while, I now have all the trim for the car...this took a while to find, including the rear fender trim.

We also looked at the rear light assembly, one of the bezels was okay, but the other was cracked. I had a hunt around and found this pair of bezels in reasonable condition...I also found an NOS pair of lenses on eBay.

 

Next the body update, we are getting close to finishing this stage of the car, but like most people, I can only afford to fund this project when I have a little spare money in the account to help pay for the work needed.
First of all Bob has been working on the tail lights and rear trunk area as this needed the most work. The tail lights are the original ones that will will replace eventually.

 

When I was having my '64 GTO done the fit between the quarters and extensions were awful. They took a lot of work also. Must have been a manufacturer thing.
Glad to see some updates!

 

As you can see Bob has been busy with the final prep on the bodywork. I'll be happy when it is finally in paint.

 

This beauty was parked outside of my office when I returned from lunch. Obviously, it made me think of your project. Can't wait to see it in paint!

 

Pontiac built some of the best looking cars from 55-67 in my opinion.

 

Still more bodywork getting done to the car, but we are getting very close to primer...hopefully before the end of the year I should have more photos.

 

The car will be straighter than new by the time all the blocking is finished...

 

I always wanted to graft a 1962-64 Catalina, Bonneville rood on to a 64 Grand Prix. Or change a 64 Catalina to a Grand Prix. I would also use the concave back window. Wow what a car! The tail treatment on that car was a master stroke!

 

We are very close to primer now...all the gaps are looking good. I see a small glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel on this restoration.

 

Why do I hear Paint It Black by The Rolling Stones when I look at these photos?

 

Not me...I hear “Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix.

 

Far out man.

 

Yeah...
Farm out, man.
Right arm.
Outa state.

Lotsa work.
Lotsa fun.
Paint comin' !

 

So glad that glimmer of light isn’t a train! Looks great by the way.

 

Only 2 or 300 hours of blocking primer after the filler...