[gaca2go]

In a recent issue of POCI's Smoke Signals magazine, an unusual 1965 Catalina 4-door sedan with factory 421-HO, tri-power and 4 speed trans was featured on the cover. As the author of that story, I have been trying to decode the tremendous amount of factory data that accompanies that car.

Thanks to the efforts of both Jim Mattison and Fred Simmonds, all but one of the codes on the firewall data plate has been solved and is now understood. The final 'mystery' piece -- code C16 -- has just now possibly been solved, but I NEED YOUR HELP to ascertain its accuracy.

Here's how you can help:

Data plate expert John Viale has posited that the C16 code does indeed relate to the 2-speed windshield wiper option that the car is confirmed to have. This particular option, according to John's findings, was unique to a Catalina because the cars with just the basic single-speed wiper had a different cowl panel (the point where the wiper arms pivot).

So, to test this out, I would like for you to go outside and look at a couple things on your car and report back here right away, please:

IF YOUR CATALINA HAS THE TWO-SPEED WIPER OPTION...
1) Does the firewall Data Plate show "C16" embossed on it?
2) Do the wiper arms counter-rotate to one-another when activated and settle towards the center of the car when shut off?

IF YOUR CATALINA HAS THE BASIC SINGLE-SPEED WIPERS...
1) Does the firewall Data Plate show anything similar to "C16"? (it shouldn't if this theory is correct)
2) Do your wiper arms rotate/wipe in parallel to one another when activated? (they should if this theory is correct)

Regardless, if you have the ability to attach a quick pic of your cowl panel (the base of the windshield exterior with hood closed) together with a description of your wiper speeds (single or two-speed), that'll help, too.

NOTE... In theory, none of this applies to 1964 or earlier cars, nor to 1966 or later Cats, nor does it apply to other full-size Pontiacs such as GP and Bonneville.

Thanks for the input... and start those wiper stories a-comin'!!

Thom Sherwood
Tucson, AZ
520-798-3200