The big issue with the majority of classic muscle cars for sale on the web is that they are overpriced...and I'm not talking about sellers who are just asking too much, but I'm also talking about the general state of the market. Fortunately, you can still find an occasional original condition classic for a reasonable pile of cash, like this 1962 Pontiac Catalina Sport Coupe here on eBay offered for $9,200 located in Dayton, OH.
Today's Pontiac seriously lost the plot and went from vintage classic to the deep end of custom junk category. The car has a number of modifications that on their own are interesting, but when you combine them all together one car it is like emptying half a bottle of Tabasco on your taco. The most nonsensical feature is the elimination of the sedans back seat for a speaker box that effectively makes this giant boat a two seater. If the custom flame paint job wasn't over the top enough for you, this Catalina actually has a console mounted switch to throw out real flames out the exhaust (seller can provide video documentation)! Find this 1973 Pontiac Catalina for sale in Hamburg, PA for $2,900 via craigslist. 
If you are searching for a daily driveable classic from the past, you've got to get away from cars of the 1950s. Even with the optional V8s, they are barely able to keep up with traffic and their mechanical systems are complex but crude. It really wasn't until the 1960s that the industry settled down and used standard driveshafts, u-joints, steering components, brakes, ignition components -- some of which we can still find on the road today. If I had to daily drive something from history, I don't think I'd go much father back than the early 1960s, like this 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix 421 V8 offered for $9,500 in Muskegon, MI via craigslist. This
post is part of DT's 2016 Birthday Celebration of 100 cars;
enjoy the ride!
DT Editor Vince: This next feature comes as a tip from Rich, who penned a detailed analysis of the car that is included here in its entirety: While wasting my time, I encountered what might be a well-priced
bit of American iron courtesy of Southern California craigslist: 1963 Pontiac Catalina coupe offered for $3,995 delivered!
As the resident "Andy Rooney" of DT, I thought it would be appropriate to take this opportunity to show the softer side of us gear-heads by inviting our readers to comment about the coolest/oddest cars their mom's drove or provide us with some Mom-based anecdotes of the things that we've all done to drive our mothers crazy, or amazing things our moms have done while driving. I'll begin... |
| Car pictured above is not the actual car, but is the correct model. |
The 2nd generation Pontiac Catalina was the entry level Pontiac and slotted below the Ventura, Star Chief and Bonneville. It was the cheapest way to get into a full sized GM if you didn't want a Chevrolet badge on your car and this one is built as a tribute car to a Packer Pontiac race car from the 1960s. Find this 1963 Pontiac Catalina
for sale in Waterford, MI currently bidding for $13,100 reserve-not-met with 4 days to go.
