1971 Catalina Freeway Enforcer
 

A rare find these days, and only 33k miles. 455 and H.D. everything..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...#ht_181wt_1343

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTE5NVgxNj...TG32f/$_57.JPG

I like it. I drove a '71 Catalina two door for many years, they're great cars.

just finding a catalina with a 455 is pretty rare

That could be fun!

That is a very cool Pontiac. I have the big brother to that - a 4 Dr hardtop Bonneville with an 455 4-bbl without A/C. This Catalina may have the rear sway bar and maybe posi. It would be neat to see the PHS or build sheet on this one. Somebody from this board has to buy it!

That could be the new Bluesmobile!

That is so cool!! The only thing I would do is add Poverty caps.

The dual snorkel air cleaner is AWESOME!

What a great find. I'd be trying to win this if I were a wealthy man with a collection building.
God forbid it get's donked.

A few observations:
How come the warranty starts at 01-15-71 when the production sticker on the door gives a 02-71 build date?
What horsepower/torque rating corresponds to VIN code 9 455? Would this be a HO?
It appears to have idiot lights instead of gauges. bummer
This being non A/C equipped probably had something to do with how little it was used before it was replaced.

Only two 455s were available on Catalinas in 1971. Both had D-port heads. The two-barrel carbed 455 was rated at 280 gross hp (190 bet hp). The four-barrel 455 was rated at 325 gross hp (230 net hp). I beleive the net hp rating was with single exhaust. I don't have the torque numbers.

The round port HOs were available in two-door intermediates (T-37, LeMans, LeMans Sport and GTO) and Firebirds (Formula and T/A std) only.

1971 VINs did not denote engine anywhere. That started in 1972 for all GM cars. This car's VIN breaksdown as:

2=Pontiac
52= Catalina series
69=4 door sedan
1=1971
P= Pontiac assembly plant
The last six digits are the series numbers.

I hope this helps in some way.

Dan

That would look good in your garage Dan.

Well Looks like I will be spending more time in this subsection as I won this auction, didn't really expect to win a low mileage 455 powered car for $5300, anyone have a set of 71 exhaust manifolds for sale?

My wife really hates Blue interiors in cars, I hope I will still be sleeping in the house!!!! LOL!!!!

Congrats

Congrats on the purchase cammerjeff! I hope I get a chance to see it sometime in the future!

Mark, it would have been a nice addition to the garage, but they take up a lot of floorspace! I do have a line on a '72 Biscayne with the optional U-code 402 dual exhaust (240 hp). A low mileage original too and less than 15 minutes from here. Only problem is a slightly wrinkled RF front sheet metal from hitting a deer a long time ago. Like new inside. Turd brown outside. No AC also! I like it because Grand Rapids used these as police cars back then. The one year (or two) they didn't use Mopars.

Dan

Mark and Dan, Thanks for the Kind words, as anyone who knows me I have always been a sucker for odd ball performance Pontiac's as my present fleet of OHC-6, Astre Formula, and 73 Lemans Safari 4-speed show, so a sleeper 71 4-door sedan fits in.

I agree that the car needs the full hub caps replaced with a set of 71 Dog Dish's, and if I have to replace the exhaust manifolds anyway,,,,,,, will any of the D-port Long branch manifolds fit the 71 chassis?

Dan, Looks like I will be picking it up next weekend, so we should be able to meet up some time this summer, I see we are only about an hour or so away from each other.

Congrats on the purchase Jeff! Very neat car, won't see another one of these at a cruise-in or show!

Lyn.

I pleased that someone picked it up that'll preserve and maintain a rare piece of B-Body performance. Well played! I would've taken a stab at it myself, but the wife would've kicked my ass from here to Ohio and back.

Congrats on the new car, Jeff!

I can't wait to see it. Will you bring it to the Widetrackers Dust-off?

PM sent re: exhaust manifolds.
Joe

Cammerjeff, I wish I could tell you if the long branch manifolds would fit. Hopefully someone else will chime in here who has tried them on the 71 and newer chassis. I'm guessing no.

What's the story behind the '73 LeMans Safari 4-speed? It would look good sitting next to my brother's '70 LeMans 4-door sedan 4-speed. Another factory freak!

Dan

WOW Were all going to have to go to a Gilmores cruise night and get
together with all our cool poncho's sometime this summer seeing
a lot of us are from Mich. I'm in Battle Creek I plan on driving the 57
chieftan out there a bunch this summer.
Good score on the cat congrats.

GT.

This Catalina would look great restored in the original markings/equipment, and without the full wheelcovers.

GT, our West Michigan Pontiac Club is planning on going to Gilmores on July 2nd, a Wednesday evening. Maybe that would be a good time to get together.

Dan

I've been told that any 2nd generation Firebird manifold or header combo will fit the '71-76 B-body. I've compared a few and they all appear like they should fit just fine (but haven't actually fit any besides stock manifolds).

http://www.imcdb.org/i230514.jpg

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1394990035

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1394990323

It appears that these are the correct dog dish caps for this car:

http://i11.ebayimg.com/01/i/001/32/0...t_id=800005007

You may be correct on the dog dish style, looks like it was a mid year change from the late 60's style to the stainless Steel 72 mid 80's style, I have a set of NOS stainless steel late 71 thru early 73 of this style.
But I am no Full Size expert, I have only owned a 65 2+2 and a 63 Bonneville other than that I have always bought A-bodies or smaller.

Just started researching this car, I have a lot to learn.

Thanks for all the help and info offered so far.

Outstanding job Sir-What a deal!!

awesome buy! love the 71s..my 74 grandville 4dr is the same color as yours..i like cars with blue interiors..yeah, im about an hr from you too..would like to meet up this summer and see your rides..

Congratulations Jeff!! I'm glad to see it will be going to someone who appreciates the unusual. Can't wait to hear more about the car after you've had a chance to look it over.

Dave

Thanks Dave,

I will post up pic's and how the car is equipped when I know more, I will send for the PHS when I confirm the VIN number. I looked at Google Maps and it looks like the Chambersburg PD is still at the same addresss on the Protecto Plate.

The more I look at the pic's, the odder the car is equipped to me, never had spot lights mounted to it, no Light bar. (unless that is why the vinyl top was added? To cover any patch work on the roof? Just thought of that. DUH!!!!) And Carpeting, I would have expected a Police car to have a heavy duty floor mat like a Cab.

But I guess I will find out. And sorry to say buying this car took me out of the Market for your 73 4-Door GA later this summer, sorry.

Zeebo I will make sure you know when and were we get together, if nothing else we can always pick a Saturday Morning and meet up at the Autozone Bookstore on Woodward Ave just south of Birmingham.

I am still a little in disbelief that I will own this one, when I 1st looked at the auction it was sitting at $5200.00 with the reserve not met? And I thought hey a low mileage complete 71 455 D-port engine is worth at least $1500 so stupid me what the heck I will bid it to $5400 max sure I would be out bid. I was shocked when it only went to $5300 and I was the high bidder, and the reserve was gone! But there were 6 hours left to go on it so I expected to get out Bid, but it didn't happen.
I am Blaming the IRS, I had that income tax return burning a hole in my pockets for almost 2 weeks before I got stupid, my wife is still shaking her head. and my 67 Lemans sprint will have to go to its new home (have been storing it for the new owner for a few months) to make room for it inside.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1395008936

The caps you have pictured are the 1975-80's aluminum caps. The late '71-'74 Stainless Steel caps look like this:

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTIwMFgxNj...ndw~~60_57.JPG

Thanks, those are the caps I think I will be looking for, I know I have a set of NOS ones that I was saving for my 73 Lemans Safari, but who knows when I will ever start working on that car again, its be hind finishing the 77 Astre, and starting my wifes 71 Lemans Safari.

I suppose since it was ordered for use as a supervisor's car they had a little more room for options like carpeting. You still see that today with used Crown Victorias for sale, occasionally supervisor or captain's cars will show up that have a nicer interior than the standard police interceptors

My first Pontiac was a '64 Catalina 2dr sedan with a 2 barrel 389 and three on the tree. It had the HD suspension, big finned aluminum front brakes, and 15 inch wheels. Grey taxi cab interior and rubber mats, no carpeting. It was originally a City of Brookfield WI Captains car. Medium Blue exterior color. I eventually dropped a '65 GTO 389 and a wide ratio Muncie 4 speed into it and added a 3:90 posi rear gear. It had a hell of a 1st gear pull. Never timed it but it was fast to me. That car started me on my Pontiac obsession.

No problem Jeff, I figured as much when I read this post. No worries, I am genuinely happy for you (and maybe a little jealous, as my wife knows how cool I think the car is).

Dave

a buddy of mine had an edelbrock headed 455 in a 72 catalina..he used GTO style round port manis..fit right in with no issues..i'm sure d-port r/a manis fit nice too...

Congratulations CammerJeff! I can't wait to see your ride sometime this summer. I'll bring my '70 4 dr sedan 4-speed LeMans to Gilmores (it ain't pretty, but cool like your new Cat) and we'll ahve to make our own factory freaks display.

I'd also like to hear more about your '73 4-speed Safari wagon.

Here's my '71 non-A/C 455 B-body. (Sorry, I don't mean to hijack your thread.)

Dennis

No problem I like that 4-door HT, plus it looks like I am also looking for a set of underhood braces!!!! I see them on your car, and I see the nut plates on the firewall were they should be on the underhood shots on my car.

About the 73 Lemans Safari, it has an odd story, According to the PHS it was an Export Car sold in Hamburg Germany. It was sold to a KC-135 Pilot who brought it back to the US and according to the USAF parking stickers on the front bumper he was based at SAC bases in Maine, upstate NY, the UP of Michigan, North Dakota, and Texas.
I bought it from a Yard in Arizona with a Texas Salvage Title (never did get a believable answer for that ) It is a Rusty POS unfortunately, a 2 seat wagon, but is matching numbers. it is a 400 4bbl duel exhaust, M-20 HD Wide Ratio, 3.23 Posi 8.78 inch Pontiac 10 Bolt. It was ordered with Rally Gauges with Tach, A/C , Tilt, Pwr Windows & Locks, AM/FM 4-speaker Stereo, and a rear defogger. It is also my least favorate 73 color of Golden Olive with a dark green interior. It is also a Bench seat car with what looks like a pick up truck IBT shifter. The only other option was a roof rack, somewhere along the line the roof rack was removed, and a proper 73 NASA Scooped hood, and rear window air deflector were added.
The car came with the base 14X7 rims with Dog Dish caps.

I will Post some pic's when I get home, it is very rusty everywhere but the front Clip that appears to have been replaced at some point. even the firewall and roof are rusty. Unfortunatly I think it will require a rebody to be brought back.

Not positive but I believe the braces were a '71 only item. Definitely gone by '73... I know a guy who has a set though! They come up from time to time.

Jeff,
Congratulations! That is a sweet find!

I'm tickled to see a very worthy member here aquired that Catalina. Way to go Jeff.
Can't wait to start finding out the nitty gritty on this cool car.
I always wanted a squad car with a big mill since 1980, when the Berrien County sheriff's dept put up a dozen or so 1977 LTDs with 460 power. Incidently they were white w/painted black roof.

Could I caution further posters here to not expand the page with huge pictures?
Scrolling the page side to side to read the posts is giving me a headache.:thanx:

Works for me I'll be there for sure, Be great to meet some of the people on here in
Person and check some of the other Pontiacs.
I'm sure I can get XLERATE to bring his to. See ya there.

GT.

Here are some shots of the 73 Lemans Safari 4-speed in as bought condition, I remember now the NASA Hood and rear window air deflector made the trip in the back of the truck, as I could not lock the hatch and I did not want them "walking" away.
The car is much rustier than it looks in the pictures, with Flintstone floor boards, the inside of all 4 doors shot, interior shot ect... But did run well with the exeption of the stupid Hurst Indy shifter that was installed, and the fact that they had installed the shifter brackets upside down on the trans, and had reverst the 1-2 and 3-4 gear locations on the pattern. I ground the gears every time I tried to shift into what I thought was 2nd or 4th!!!! I was Lucky as the original hard to find Bench seat IBT shifter was laying in back.

I just noticed the seller sent me an E-mail with close ups of the drivers door were the paint is coming off, it does look like the paint just cracked and fell off some areas.
Also he says that he bought the car a few months back at a Estate Sale in PA, and that the Former Owner had over 25 Pontiac's from the late 50's to the Mid 70's that were being auctioned off. We may be familure with the former owner of this car. I will let you all know his name as soon as I Know who it was.

Ben,

After a quick search it looks like the under hood braces were a 71 and 72 only thing, so you are correct that they were gone by 73. A lot of the under hood pictures only had the passenger side remaining on the car. I wonder what task requires removing the drivers side brace? I guess I will find out soon!!!!

Camerjeff,

Thanks for the pics of teh Safari. I love it, but a re-body is a good idea if you can find a solid wagon for a good price. It seems like the odd-ball cars are more expensive than they used to be. But that wagon is well equipped with posi and 3.23 gears, plus tach & gauges, am/fm stereo. Man, what a neat car. Do you have the PHS for it?

We're all looking forward to seeing more pictures of the Enforcer!

The underhood braces on my Bonnie are simply attached with those pointed threaded hex head bolts with the like-size captured U-clip at each end. I'll try to get a photo for you the next time I visit my brother.

Dennis

Well I was Pleasantly Suprized today to find the PHS I faxed in yesterday in the Mail!!!! I know I lived close to them but I never expected same day service. I will have to thank them.

Looks Like the Dealer is now a Taco Bell!

https://www.google.com/maps/place/90...203910!6m1!1e1


Well the car comes back exactly as advertised, A all Cameo White Enforcer with a Per 4bbl 455 with dual exhaust, no performance axle ratio or Posi listed. Most of the options are self explanatory but I will list them plus post pic's of the PHS, Car was sold V.T. Angle Sons in Chambersburg PA and cost 3403.67 Tax Exempt

4BBL 455 Per (I do not know what the Performance indicates)
H78X15 BW FG
STRG WHL-C/C (Custom Steering wheel still there.)
PWR STRG-VAR (Must be considered an early car as Pwr steering became standard)
DEFOG-R/Wind (Bonus I did not know it had this)
ROOF W/HARN ( Must have had a roof light)
FRAME-HD (Does this mean it had a Convert Frame?)
POL APP-FE ????????????
BATTERY-HD
CLOCK-ELEC (Still There in Pic's)
TURB/HYD (Again became standard later in the year)
DECK LID CON ????????????
W/COV-DLX (So the Full Hub Caps are Stock)
GLASS-S/R-AL (Full Tinted Glass Good deal!)
C/SPEED-POL (Calibrated Speedo, still there)
SEAT HD-F&R
SPG&SHK-EHR ?????????????
EXHAUST-DUAL
RADIATOR-HD

So the things I don't know are

POL APP-F/E Code 646
DECK LID CON Code 421
SPG&SHK-EHR Code 626

And exactly what makes a Performance 455? I am assuming a D-Port Engine with 66 Heads

Any Help on those codes is greatly appreciated!!!!

I am getting more Exited about it, Now I just have to get a trailer as Mine is stuck in the back 40 of a friends house under 4 feet of snow and behind about 200 yards of Muddy Grass

the one is power trunk release.

SPG&SHK-EHR Code 626
Springs & Shocks Extra Heavy rated ?

POL APP-F/E Code 646

Just guessing: Police Application, Freeway/Enforcer.:D