[RR67GTO]

Well, I came across something and I posted this in other places to see how many there are. 1968 Cat convertible, 428 WG code, factory four speed, and factory hood tach. Well optioned really and safty track rear end, don't know what ratio. Car should be painted again as it's a darker green color, and why did I even take a second look? Funny thing, I never pay attention to the pontiac big cars as I'm an A body and F bosy fan. But, a while back I remember reading something about one of these in a Pontiac magazine. So, I found a car that's not going away unless I buy it. Price is..... Well I can afford it. it's real decent but top has seen beter days and other normal things. Not a cut and stuff in car, as it was bought by a middle aged person when new. Miles are a little over 100K, but ash trays are like factory new. PS, PDB, Tilt, AM/FM, AC, (all there still) Rally II.s (wont fit my GTO, I checked) posi rear, Power windows/seats. bla, bla, bla. So, I guess I'm trying to see how you others like these cars? And, how hard is it to get the little things for them to make the interior look nice again? Carpets, knobs, dash repairs, seat covers for drievers side for sure, new drop top for it? and with the 62 heads, is this another 10.75:1 car? What about buying engine parts if and when it needs them, a problem? Thanks for any input, I always get honest answers and lots of help from my friends at PY's. NOt in the big car section, but in A body and F body.

Mike

[68Prix]

Most of the dash bezels are available. The hard part is the seat covers and door panels. The wood trim on the dash and console is available.
Also going to be hard to find body parts other then the floors.
Other then the rear end every thing is the same as the A and F bodies except the long tail vs. short tail trans. The full size is a sweet riding car with lots of room, it just takes some patience to own one. Not like a GTO or Firebird when it comes to the amount of parts out there. Getting more and more every year though.

[Greg Reid]

It's a 2+2 right? All the 2+2s are desirable. If it's not a 2+2, I would still think that it's pretty rare. I personally prefer the styling of the pre-68 big cars but a B-body, ragtop, 428, factory 4 speed car is hard to beat in any year.

[poncho-mike]

Is it a 68 or a 69? If it's a 68 Catalina, it should have #16 heads. #62s were used on 69s.

Incidentally, I have a complete 69 WG 428 with the 62 heads. In 69, the WG was a 360HP 428. According to an old book from H-O Specialties, it should be a 4-bolt main motor.

In 68, I believe the WG was a 428HO motor. It should have the long branch exhaust manifolds.

Hope this helps.

Mike

[baron_]

i didn't think a 428 from '69 was a 4-bolt, i thought those were the 2-bolt motors (one of those years was a 2-bolt, at least)


i've got a lot of experience with big cars
including 4-speed big cars
that's how i got into pontiacs - a 4-speed '67 GP while my friends have 4-spd '67 GP 'verts (two have 428's in them)

there just isn't the market that the GTO's have
so unless you're wanting to buy to keep, make sure you get it for a good price because you'll sink more money into it than it's worth
(especially if it needs body repair - as they don't make repo stuff)
A lot of the little stuff can be had on ebay if you watch over time...and is pretty cheap compared to GTO stuff
on the other hand, stuff like nice dash pads are nearly impossible to find...because there won't ever be the demand to repop it

personally - i love the big cars - they're fun to drive and get a lot of looks. you won't see another big car 4-speed at a show


but if you're the type to enjoy it, fix 'er up and expect to come out ahead at the end, be wary and look at it's condition closely
anything bodywise has to be taken from a donor car, which is hard to find and gets expensive in a hurry - especially convertible stuff

as far as rare - sure it's rare

so is just about every other car out there, for some reason or another
just because it's rare doesn't mean it's particularly desirable (although yours sounds like one of the more desirable ones - convertible and 428)
like stated above, the 2+2's have a decent following...but that's the older cars that have tripower and whatnot

'67/'68 are the inbetween years, it seems...and haven't picked up in value like the sides of it


they're starting to repo a lot of things for them - including seat covers

Engine parts are the same as the GTO (more or less)
And yes, the 'big car' ralley's are a different bolt pattern, although the center caps are the same

neat car though, i'd suggest buying it if you like the body style and all
guess it depends on price/condition/what you want/what you'll do with it


PM me if you need any more info - i'd like to see pictures of 'er
i still have that dang red wheel for the '67 GTO, too

[poncho-mike]

The 69 360HP 428 with #46 heads was a 2-bolt main. According to the H-O specialties book I have, the 69 428 360HP manual transmission engines should have #62 heads and 4-bolt mains. My engine has the #62 heads, but I haven't checked the bottom end to see if it is a 4-bolt main.

Most 69 428s are 2-bolt. All 69 GPs had 4-bolt mains, however. Most of the other big cars had the 360HP version and were 2-bolt mains. I've got several of the 69 YH code 2-bolt main 428s.

Mike

[baron_]

ah - ok
i've seen a few bonne's with that 428 that was only a 2-bolt

[shark landis]

What should a '69 428 XF be? It has the factory chrome valve covers on it.

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by shark landis

What should a '69 428 XF be? It has the factory chrome valve covers on it.

According to the Fred Teufert website, that's a 370 hp Grand Prix engine.
http://www.teufert.net/pontiac/engcodes.htm

[poncho-mike]

Every 69 model XF motor I've seen was a 4-bolt main block with #62 heads. They were standard on the GP SJ, and optional on the J.

I find some of my best engines in the GP SJs, not to mention they sometimes come with good rear ends.

Most 428s installed in 69 Catalinas and Bonnevilles were the 360 HP automatic versions, and all of those I've encountered were 2-bolt mains.

Mike

[poncho-mike]

By the way, in 1970, the XF was the 455HO motor (D-port, 4-bolt main 455 with #64 heads) used in Grand Prixs. The XF was a 428 in 69.

Mike

[68Prix]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ponti...QQcmdZViewItem

Here is nice Boneville, well at least from what we in the rust belt are use to. Would not mind having this one.

[se428bandit]

1967 was the last year for the catalina 2+2,but a 1968 cat with a 428 4 spped is a rare car and it has some great options.Send the vin via a fax to PHS and get it back the same day,i think it's a extra 10 bucks it might give the break down on the production numbers.

[Showbizkid]

Dude, I'd jump on that car like it was Jessica Alba! Performance-optioned big Ponchos are NOT common, especially that clost to 1970. You've got a good one there.

[baron_]

sounds like the sister car to the bonne in the add 2 above, that i bought

if you pass on it, let us know - i'm growing fond of the 4spd big cars

[FireGoat_Ben]

Nice car...please keep us posted if you get it or not.
Ben

[26667]

Baron, are you SURE that isn't the car you bought????

[baron_]

yea, he's talking about a catalina
although good point - seems rather crazy coincidence

i guess his has air, too...and is somewhere in oregon
mine was from wisconsin

i wish he'd update and tell whether he actually bought it or not =]

[backalleycat]

Thats neat,I have one also,and it came from Oregon,a Bud Meadows dealer car,how long ago was this?,mine was also green,now red,and this one is a Ventura,I had SMS right down your way do the door panels,they had some problems,finally got it right,as the Ventura is different than the Cat interior,mines a 428 HO,wj code,and you won't find any production numbers on these as a breakdown,but some serious Pontiac guru's have told me this is one of about 17,who knows?,I've seen hardtops,and 2 other Cats on Ebay for sale,both converts,and 428s,and 4 spds,but no Venturas,there a great car,but not to popular,and they don't bring alot of $$ either,I traded a 66 GTO for this one,and really I should of kept the goat,I'd be ahead,but someday the BIG cars will come around,there gaining slowly,did you get the car?

[4spdTA]

Around 1974 my dad bought a '67 428 4 speed Ventura hardtop off a used car lot in Las Vegas. He ended up trading it in on a '71 Chevy Kingswood wagon while we were living in Hardin Montana. The car might have been an HO as he complained about it was harder to keep in tune than the 428 2+2 that he had bought new. The car was burgandy with white/parchment interior. It was a very cool car.... I wish I had it or could find it.

My dads '67 428 4 speed 2+2 ended up in a junk yard around 1972 in Spokane Washington. My dad sold it to my uncle who sold it to a friend of his who wrecked it... I guess it was too much car for him.