Hello I've just recently acquired a 63 catalina and I've got lots of questions and I'm looking for advice. In the past I've owned a few firebirds but this is my first time with a catalina. I'm excited to restore it and just have fun overall. I'm in California, as far as I know about the car. It's a 63 has the original 389 in it with a 2bbl carb. I'm looking to ultimately fix it up and have it as a weekend cruiser.

Welcome Jordan, got any pictures of her? There are a lot of knowledgeable people here bro. So feel free to ask your questions, post pictures and update us on your progress. 

Wrongways your man Jordan !

check out his thread 

Welcome, we like pic's round here!

Look forward to seeing your build!

Thank everyone, here's a couple pictures I should've posted them with the first post 😅

Well to begin, where does everyone find parts for these cars? My catalina is almost complete, she's solid a little surface rust here and there mostly original. The only thing that's missing is one of the small trim pieces from the trunk lid. Also this might be important to but how can I tell what model or trim level catalina it is? I know it's not a Swiss cheese catalina for sure 

Iv personally used Franks and desert valley in the past for good used parts on my 63. Ames and OPGI iv also used for new parts. Sir Frosty has a whole list of parts places also. He's a huge resource on all stuff Pontiac. Hope this helps.

Franks Pontiacs

www.frankspontiacparts.com

Desert Valley

www.dvap.com

Ames 

www.amesperf.com

OPGI

www.opgi.com

Got any interior pics? 😍

Edited September 4, 20241 yr by Wrongway

9 minutes ago, Wrongway said:

Iv personally used Franks and desert valley in the past for good used parts on my 63. Ames and OPGI iv also used for new parts. Sir Frosty has a whole list of parts places also. He's a huge resource on all stuff Pontiac. Hope this helps.

Franks Pontiacs

www.frankspontiacparts.com

Desert Valley

www.dvap.com

Ames 

www.amesperf.com

OPGI

www.opgi.com

Got any interior pics? 😍

Awesome thanks for those! Yeah the interior is a little rough but honestly not to bad. I found a few quarter size rust spots in the trunk. Other than that not bad at all

Oh yeah bro, she looks good! I can't wait to see the steering wheel when you unwrap it. There's a few of us that have tried our hand at restoring ours and a couple that have found nice replacements. Does she currently run?

1 minute ago, Wrongway said:

Oh yeah bro, she looks good! I can't wait to see the steering wheel when you unwrap it. There's a few of us that have tried our hand at restoring ours and a couple that have found nice replacements. Does she currently run?

Oh yeah she runs! The brakes lock up here and there since it was sitting for a while but that's all part of the small details. Does the steering wheel look better unwrapped I haven't paid to much attention to that. I was thinking of throwing a suicide knob on it since it's a big steering wheel. The 389 sounds strong but I feel like It needs more than that 2 bl carb. I have an intake to add a 4bl carb.

Sounds good bro. I personally like the look of the old steering wheels, justa classy. I also like the feel of the old skinny wheel. I made a suicide knob and matching shifter handle for mine a couple months back. I need to finish up the steering wheel, it got put on hold a while back and justa haven't gotten back to it yet.

8 minutes ago, Wrongway said:

Sounds good bro. I personally like the look of the old steering wheels, justa classy. I also like the feel of the old skinny wheel. I made a suicide knob and matching shifter handle for mine a couple months back. I need to finish up the steering wheel, it got put on hold a while back and justa haven't gotten back to it yet.

Right on, I've been super excited about this car 

With good reason bro, she's a great car!

5 minutes ago, Wrongway said:

With good reason bro, she's a great car!

Thanks! I'm lucky I got a good deal on it. Luckily i found someone to reupholster the seats for a reasonable price as well 

6 minutes ago, Wrongway said:

With good reason bro, she's a great car!

Nice to see ya back Wrongway.

7 hours ago, JUSTA6 said:

Nice to see ya back Wrongway.

Yeah mate ! Welcome back