[MerrittE]

Hey guys not sure where to post this but I am hoping you can help me out. I have an opportunity to pick up a very nice 1962 Catalina coupe. It has a 2 barrel 389 and auto transmission. The maroon paint is good the chrome is very good and the interior is also very good with a newly restored steering wheel. It has power steering and brakes but nothing special otherwise. They aren't sure what they want for it but threw out $25k. I've tried to look at comparable cars but they are all over the place from $40k to $4k. Any ideas on what it might be worth? I appreciate your input.

[b-man]

Probably somewhere in the 15 to 20k range, closer to 15.

These cars don’t have a huge following as nice as they are unfortunately so they’re usually priced accordingly.

Being a standard 2-barrel automatic puts it at the lower end of the price range.

[tom s]

With everything kind of base I would say about 12 if NO body or paint are needed.Most drivers hate the std auto trans,it needs a steering wheel which last time I check is like $1300.A factory 4 bbl intake is pretty cheap,should be able to find a 62 auto AFB and a 4bbl base for the air cleaner.Good luck with your quest.See what you can find out about past service on the engine.The front timing cover seals if original will leak pretty much for sure,rears if original likely also.Tom

[MerrittE]

Thanks guys I appreciate the input it really helps.

[694.1]

Sweet!

[carcrazy]

Looks like a nice driver.....I'd say around 15k absolute tops.

[mgarblik]

First, I want to say I LOVE my 62 Catalina. But that doesn't make it worth a fortune unfortunately. I agree with the other posters, that car is worth 15K tops IMO. But "worth" is a terrible way to buy a car you really "want". Do you want it to own and enjoy? Or do you want it to resell and make a "killing" like so many people think they will? These cars are very expensive to repair and restore, so buy the best car you can afford up front. My 62 was converted to a 4-speed by previous owner and I carefully made it into an SD clone under my ownership. I had one heck of a time getting 35K worth of insurance on it from Hagerty, having to send dozens of pics and going back and forth with them to prove value and replacement costs. I have almost 20K in parts in the SD style engine and drivetrain . Car is beautiful, body, paint and interior. BTW, if your serious about buying it, make sure you drive it around a bunch and get an honest feel for that Roto-Hydramatic transmision. Almost universally panned as the worst automatic transmission in history, they are truly miserable and ruin the driving experience for most people hoping to put real miles on them. Most people change to a more modern automatic or convert to 4-speed. I would not have bought my car if it had an auto. Here are a few pics of what mid teens would buy 7 years ago. Prices have not gone up since then. They have been pretty flat or dropped a little. Hope this helps. Love the 62's and 63's.

[Goatracer1]

I don't know where you all live but in the N.E. mgarbilk's car is a $30k auto. Up here every good car comes from some place else.

[straycat]

Goatracer1 agreed. My 62 racer that was easily converted back to street went for
45K at Harrisburg.

[Goatracer1]

NADA has a low value of $13,950 and an average of $27,100.

[Rachelsdad]

The Slim Jim is a killer for desirability. My '63 Bonneville has a Super Hydramatic (Olds Jetaway, etc.) 4sp auto, and I recall never understanding why everyone complained about the Slim Jim...until I got my '63 GP with one. Indeed, given the choice, even the 3sp manual is a nicer gearbox than the Slim Jim (but not as buttery smooth as my Super Hydramatic, unless you're really, really good with a clutch).

Indeed, I'd peg that car at $15K. She's really sweet, and should be a great show piece to someone interested in the vintage and originality, particularly if he's not crazy about a manual trans.

[Engine-Ear]

Originally Posted by MerrittE

They aren't sure what they want for it but threw out $25k. I've tried to look at comparable cars but they are all over the place from $40k to $4k. Any ideas on what it might be worth? I appreciate your input.

Nice, honest car. Cameo Ivory over Burgundy is proper.

Questions:
Located in (ZIP code)? For how long?
Factory paint?
Odometer reading?
Service Records included?

...these things matter.

IMO, the Slim-Jim factor is what keeps this a $15k (maybe less, pending answers to the above questions)

Lettuce know how it works out...if you buy it, share more pics!!