[camerjeff]

After a 5+ year delay the Catalina Police car is headed for Restoration. The main issue was finding a shop that was both willing to do the work ( I got alot of responses like that's not what we normally work on, or that's not a Muscle car.)
I was lucky and found Chase Classic Motors about 1 hour away from me. And they are actually excited to have a chance to work on the car. They will work on just about any classic, but the team has a soft spot for old Police cars, and they have restored a Michigan State Police Fury, and others. So they have at least some experience and connections to the small antique Police car groups.
The plan is not for a frame off, as that would be way to expensive compared to the potential value of the car. But frame on restoration, fix the mechanical issues, make it drive-able, and put as close as possible to its in service condition when it was the Police Chief''s car of Chambersburg PA from 1971-1980.

I have attached some pictures of the trip on Sunday. The 1st is it loaded up and ready for the 1 hour drive on I-94, the 2nd is arriving at the shop, and the last 2 are it safely inside the shop. The last one is the only Vintage In service Picture that I have been able to find of the car, oddly taken on the day my wife was Born

What do you all think? Worthy project? Or just proof of my fascination with weird Performance Pontiac's?

[kingbuzzo]

Someone has to keep these boats on the road just for the uniqueness/historical reference alone...glad you found some help with her 👍

[jamesq]

That shop does not shy away from large cars! That's an unusual mix in the shop.

James Q

[694.1]

Interesting

[jabgolfcars]

Hell yeah! Love it.
I'm curious.... does it have hi-po drivetrain/suspension like the old police interceptors?

[67ozzyville]

I just watched the YouTube video. Adam loves his full size Pontiac s
What a great car

Sent from my SM-A426B using Tapatalk

[camerjeff]

Originally Posted by jabgolfcars

Hell yeah! Love it.
I'm curious.... does it have hi-po drivetrain/suspension like the old police interceptors?

It has the normal 4bbl 455 D-Port 66 heads, but it has the long branch exhaust manifolds that would have been on 1970 Ram Air III 400's. The carb is the same as the 455 H/O's. I don't know what cam or rocker arms it has. It sounded healthy at idle when I bought it 10 or so years ago. The carb has all the emission parts omitted on it. That's about all I know about the engine.
I find it odd that the aircleaner lid and valve covers are painted, I am used to GTO's and F-bodies that would have chrome.

My wife is looking forward to driving it in the Lights and Siren Parade to kick off the 2025 Dream Cruise.

[camerjeff]

Originally Posted by 67ozzyville

I just watched the YouTube video. Adam loves his full size Pontiac s
What a great car

Sent from my SM-A426B using Tapatalk

Thanks for letting me know its on Youtube, just watched it myself. Generating more interest than I would have thought, especially for a car I bought on accident on E-bay years ago.

[7t4mula]

That’s such a cool project! Sounds like a good fit with that shop for sure!

Our family had a ‘71 Catalina when I was in HS and that was by far my favorite car my dad ever bought! Rode like a dream and man, was that 400 4bbl ever quick for a big car! One of the reasons I got hooked on Pontiacs!

Good luck on the restoration!

[SHOVELHEAD]

First thing I thought of was Oakland County Sheriffs Department, nothing more ominous than seeing a black and white Pontiac with a single red beacon mounted on the roof after doing something dumb……..

[Mark Simiele]

I like it and a real piece of history. Good to see it will be getting preserved and some well deserved restoration work.

I'm hardly the Mopar guy but the big Mopar police cars of the 1970's are a treat to look at in the shop photo.

Good luck and post more photos of the progress.

[camerjeff]

Thanks Guys, not much happening at the Moment, sourcing the needed Battery Tray and gas tank straps from Steve Barcak, Then it will need all new fuel lines & fuel pump (they are rusty inside) after that we will get it started started for the 1st time in 5-6 years, The shop will be posting some Youtube videos of the progress. I will link them here when they post.

Really hope to have it drivable, and the exterior done by August 2025.