Tempus fugit. The classic Pontiac arrowhead hasn’t graced a motor vehicle for several years now. Considering its ignominious end, it may be unbelievable to some that Pontiac was perhaps the most successful American automotive brand from 1959 to 1970. Sure, it might have technically ranked third in sales, but Chevrolet and Ford have historically run on their own inertia, like boulders rolling down a hill. Pontiac, on the other hand, excelled for a number of reasons, but it all really started with the “Wide-Track” advertising campaign and this jet-age Catalina.
Pontiac’s success depended largely on three car-loving executives: Bunkie Knudsen, Pete Estes, and John DeLorean. Bunkie Knudsen, of course, was the man who drastically changed Pontiac’s image in the 1950s, and the “wide-track” moniker may or may not be directly attributable to him. Perhaps apocryphally, Bunkie Knudsen told stylists to widen the track of the prototype ’59s because they looked like “football players wearing ballet slippers.” In his article titled “Wide Track: Bunkie Knudsen, Pete Estes, and the Pontiac Renaissance,” however, Aaron Severson of “Ate up with Motor” explains that it was Chuck Jordan of GM Styling that initiated the “wide-track” stance, and Knudsen in particular latched on to the look.
Regardless, the “Wide-Track Pontiac” became a successful advertising campaign that led to a successful car. Pontiac’s gracefully illustrated advertisements by Art Fitzpatrick and Van Kaufman were no less responsible for the new image than the “wide-track” wording. Pontiac portrayed a youthful, vigorous image at just the right time, thanks to its forward-thinking executives.
With that being said, not all ’59 Pontiacs were glamour queens. For all the new publicity Pontiacs were receiving (and were about to receive), it was still possible to order an el-strippo from the Pontiac dealer. Even though stripper Catalinas were soon to be crossing dragstrip finish lines first in Stock and Super Stock classes all across the nation, this specific example was more likely ordered for trips to the supermarket at a sedate pace. This “Sport Sedan” even wore base dog dish hubcaps (which are actually super-cool).
The two-door sedan was, not surprisingly, one of the worst-sellers in the Pontiac lineup in ’59, with 26,102 sold; after all, the 1950s and 1960s belonged to the hardtop bodystyle. Meant for budget-conscious buyers and drag racers, this post coupe would have left the dealership at close to the base price of $2633, with the only visible option being the Hydramatic. This low-optioned Catalina, therefore, raises an interesting point about the GM hierarchy in the 1950s and 1960s.
One could order a basic ’59 Impala Sport Coupe, with its hardtop roofline and a 283, for $2717. At that price, the Impala simply looked more expensive than the base Catalina, even though it cost only 86 dollars more. Therefore, whoever ordered the Catalina likely did so for one of a few reasons: the Pontiac nameplate had more “cachet” than the Chevrolet nameplate, the Pontiac’s base 389 was significantly more powerful than a Chevy 283, or s/he favored the Pontiac’s styling and this is what fit the budget.
At any rate, it’s a happy occurrence for car buffs that the original owner made that decision. In a world where the term “rare” is bandied about with merry abandon, this Catalina deserves the modifier. Can it be the only example with a factory radio-delete plate? A lack of heater-controls and underdash ducts means that this is also a heater-delete car. Save for a base synchromesh transmission, this is undoubtedly the lowest-optioned 1959 Pontiac Catalina on earth.
Judging by the slight wear on the paint, chrome, and carpet, this car might be a unicorn amongst automobiles: the rare all-original, “how does that thing exist?” car. All Pontiacs in 1959 had plenty of chrome and intricate detailing, like this back-up light that parks between double-peaked tailfins. As brazen as it is, this design may be more subdued than Chevy’s “batwing,” and could have led to the original owner’s decision to buy this car instead of an Impala.
The split-grille and ironing board hood also made their debut for 1959, only to disappear in 1960, and reappear for 1961. Pontiac was apparently caught off guard by their popularity, and the 1960 models were already finalized by the time that was apparent. Of course, both became Pontiac styling staples for many years (maybe too many).
The license plate leaves us with perhaps the most accurate sentiment: “Find 1.” 1959 Pontiacs aren’t on every street corner anymore, and finding one as interestingly decontented as this example may be a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. Although Pontiac’s tale has a sad ending, few nameplates ever rose to the heights that Pontiac did during their glory years, and perhaps that makes this story a bittersweet one.
Note: a rerun of an older post.
I always liked the 59 Pontiacs. BUT as many know, I want my cars to be fully loaded! OTT extravagant overchromed is NEVER TOO MUCH. So, if I were to choose a 59 Pontiac, it would be a fully loaded Bonneville. But NOT one of those flat top 4 doors.
As a Canadian having a heater delete especially in a car so large is unbelievable. I suppose there are locations in the US that make this feasible I would think one would want it for demisting in the rain or similar situations. I guess the little vent windows would do.
There’s at least one other option, didn’t back up lights cost extra on ’59 Pontiacs?
Unless they were added by a later owner.
Our neighbor had a Bonneville 4 door company car in Black, I still think it was the best looking car of the late 50’s. Man did it have presence. Compared to the Plymouth sedan my father’s company saddled him with there was no comparison. This is the first car to incorporate fins in a tasteful manner. I actually prefer the 61 and 63 Full size Ford tail end, but the Pontiac split grill is distinctive, and turned into a real trademark
^The 4 door flat top is my favorite body style for the whole 59-60 GM lineup. Looks like the roof is just floating and that back glass is wild.
What amazes me is how well trimmed/cheerful the interior presents in this car, even with zero options. Love the green color and pattern on the seats.
One of my favorite youtubers is Adam on Rare classic cars and automotive history. Dude has several unrestored 1960s full size Pontiacs that are drop dead stunning. Plus Adam really knows his stuff, its a great channel if there is anybody here who doesnt watch it.
I agree. I really enjoy Adams channel and he does have some beautiful cars in his collection
Like the ’59 Fords, this is a car that kind of works on the front end, but goes way overboard at the back. Not that it’s perfect otherwise, but that definitely puts it in the over chromed and finned fad that peaked in 59. It’s definitely rare to find fully un-optioned mid or top tier cars, but also an example where rarity doesn’t equate to value. I don’t think rarity alone has ever attracted collectors to the stripper version (even considering that the survival numbers for the strippers are almost always worse).
You mentioned the radio delete plate: those abound on the base tier brands, but are likely to be a hen’s tooth on upper tiers. And it’s another case where the ones that were made were more likely to get tossed. Very few owners over the years and up to today actually want a car (low or high end) with the radio delete plate. The one exception that still adds value to the right car today, is racers would often special order a car with no comfort or convenience options. Obviously, a radio was 20lbs of dead weight. There are some pretty consistent rules in classic car valuations, but “racing” breaks a lot of them.
My dad bought a 57 Chevy Belair two door in 1967 for a sister. The older man who he bought it from said
“I wanted to top model but not all the other things”. So it was a Blue Flame 6, three on the tree, no radio, cloth seats and a clock! It was supposed to be mine, but dad sold it in 1979 for $350…
I don’t see zero options, I see the Hydramatic. A real base Pontiac would have a 3 speed column shift. Anyway, this car is to die for, fantastic in every respect.
This car also has back up lights, chrome window frames and deluxe steering wheel, three more options.
I like it .
Over the many decades I saw far too many low mileage strippers be ruined for Hot Rods or simply broken up for the front crash parts (’55 & ’56 Chevies) .
I always want a radio but I see VW Beetle radio blank plates for sale at $100, this is absurd .
-Nate
In 59, Pontiac also offered a Star Chief 2 Dr. post sedan. Even rarer!
Its auto so theres that,I saw one in Cheviac in Aussie 283 3 speed and no widetrack,
Kudos to someone on the stellar condition of the car. Needs some wheel covers. Pretty much the rest needs to stay as is.
Keep those hubcaps for ‘non show”, days .
Despite not fitting in with Pontiac’s new (and soon to be very successful) split grille design language, one of my favorites (certainly for that year) is the 1960 car.
But the return of the 1959 grille for 1961 (and thereafter) was a very shrewd move by Knudson. Besides foremost being attractive, it established quite a brand identity. Everyone knew what a Pontiac looked like throughout the sixties (and beyond), even from a distance.
Unfortunately for Knudson when he briefly moved to Ford, it didn’t work so well when he grafted the design onto the 1970 ‘Bunkie Beak’ Thunderbird which looked too much like his Pontiacs.
A friend’s mother had a white Catalina convertible. I drove it long distances a few times with the speedometer cable disconnected. I really enjoyed driving it. The wide-track gave it better driving characteristics then all but the Chrysler Corporation cars and it was quiet and comfortable. The 389 and hydramatic were an excellent combination. I have always wanted to own one.