Stephen Young

Swe-ee-eet. I like the 53 better than the similar 54, and the 55 better than the similar 56 - probably because I've had those models - but I can't choose between the 61 and 62 - both were so right. I got my 53 Catalina in 1975, too, and still have it. (It's not like I'm hung up on it or anything, is it?) Those old Pontiacs seem to be fairly durable, eh wot? And 300,000 miles tells me you drive it. Good for you - 'at's what they're made for.

Just now, Stephen Young said:

Swe-ee-eet. I like the 53 better than the similar 54, and the 55 better than the similar 56 - probably because I've had those models - but I can't choose between the 61 and 62 - both were so right. I got my 53 Catalina in 1975, too, and still have it. (It's not like I'm hung up on it or anything, is it?) Those old Pontiacs seem to be fairly durable, eh wot? And 300,000 miles tells me you drive it. Good for you - 'at's what they're made for.

"Any man who hates Volkswagens can't be ALL bad."

I liked the Beaumont better than the Chevelle - The classier split grille (cast metal, not stamped like the Chevelle) and the cooler tail lights appealed to my Pontiac - biased sense of (ahem) refinement. (It is to laugh, as the French say.) I really liked the back window treatment on the two door hardtops, but I wouldn't kick your convertible out of bed for eating crackers.

Great car, Poncho Pete. In 1966 - 67 I had a Canadian 55 plain Jane four door, 261 six, three speed manual, vacuum wipers and an excess of youthful stupidity. Just had to pass a transport on a rainy day, got out beside it into the spray from his tires, and throttle open/wipers stopped. The next few seconds were hairy/scary.  By the grace of God I'm still here to tell about it,  and I learned not to do that.  Got a 53 Catalina Chieftain in '75, ( 268 straight eight/Hydramatic, converted to 292 six/Powerglide in 1980, Powerglide to 700R4 in 2011 or so, 292 bored .060 to 296 in '14) and still have it - put it away for the winter when the licence expired Dec.16.