Hello everyone, I am about to start a project on a 4-door Catalina with a V8 and only 60,300 miles on it. Curious to know the following. 1. Best websites for OEM parts? 2) Is there a Pontiac club in Raleigh? 3) Since about 3.2M Catalina's were produced, why are there so few on the road today? Any idea how many remain in US today? Thanks so much. Any tips on what to do and not to do on a Catalina would be welcomed. For example, should I take out the carbs and add EFI? Aftermarket AC units that people have tried and work well?

Thanks

Dave

Hello Dave,

Welcome to the group and we all love, and expect, pictures of your car.

OEM parts? That's gonna be tough if you expect brand new original parts.

Ames Performance Engineering in Spofford, NH

https://www.amesperf.com/

Franks Pontiac Parts

Original Parts Group

Classic Industries.

Get all of their paper catalogs so that you can easily know what you are missing for parts and what is available as a reproduction.

Go below for original junk yard parts:

These and most of the GM, Ford and Dodge cars were made out of cold rolled, typically ungalvanized steel = very prone to rust. They have mostly been crushed and recycled.

I have put a modern, computer controlled, late model, fuel injected GM engine out of a 2002 model year Silverado truck LS engine and 4L60E overdrive transmission in my Catalina because the original 400 cubic inch motor was missing. Its your car but there are people here with advice for keeping your engine, putting new EFI on top or doing an LS swap. Nobody will judge you however you wish to proceed.

Rick

Thanks Rick, sorry, I did not mean OEM parts, just parts ... what was I thinking (or not thinking). Car is in great shape, been a Southern car its entire life. I made a restomod out of a 68 Mustang - 347 stroker added EFI, etc. all worked out nice. I attach a photo of that here. Also a pic of the Pontiac from a few weeks ago. Any advice is great. .. as you know, adding EFI means adding new fuel lines, a pump, and gas tank. Car purs right now for sure but needs a few dents taken out.

Instead of painting car, was thinking of getting it wrapped. Also, I found some hinges online to change out the rear doors to make it suicide doors. Anyone done that? Want to the car to be custom.

Thanks again Rick

13 hours ago, DaveCatRDU said:

Thanks Rick, sorry, I did not mean OEM parts, just parts ... what was I thinking (or not thinking). Car is in great shape, been a Southern car its entire life. I made a restomod out of a 68 Mustang - 347 stroker added EFI, etc. all worked out nice. I attach a photo of that here. Also a pic of the Pontiac from a few weeks ago. Any advice is great. .. as you know, adding EFI means adding new fuel lines, a pump, and gas tank. Car purs right now for sure but needs a few dents taken out.

Instead of painting car, was thinking of getting it wrapped. Also, I found some hinges online to change out the rear doors to make it suicide doors. Anyone done that? Want to the car to be custom.

Thanks again Rick

Hi Dave

Custom aye !

Well that justA means anything you want to do to it is your custom !!!!!

You justA have to decided what you want to do ?

Lower ?

Custom wheels ?

What’s your engine ? … maybe a refresh or stroker kit 😜

Me personally

I love them as a sleeper … looking stock ish

But mean underneath !

Has anyone mentioned that we love pics around here ???

What’s your engine bay like ? Interior ?

How much do you want to spend and is it going to be your weekend cruiser or daily driver ?

🍻Chris

First thing I would do is get rid of those skinny tires !!!!

Edited July 1, 20251 yr by 64 kiwi boni

Great looking Catalina you got there!

Welcome, nice job on the Stang, lookin forward to watching your Cat project. Lots of pic's please!