[webfoot]

I was recently perusing craigslist and came across an alleged 41,000 mile 62 catalina convertible. Factory color was black. (also pictured are what are reported to be the 41,000 mile original motor and (auto) tranny, and 3.23 safe-t-track rear.)

Car is all apart but everything is there and looks pretty good in the pics. They have already installed new brake and fuel lines and painted the frame and undercarriage.

Only rust appears to be 2 small holes in the bottom of the 1/4 panels. (I have asked for more pics via email)

What is a good price for a complete/solid project like this? Also the estimated value when complete? Strange things to consider or specific things to ask about?

Thanks for your help. I would guess there isn't aftermarket sheetmetal available for these. Also looks like the LH dropoff is rotted through, but I am handy with making my own patches.

[webfoot]

Here are some pics of the rusted areas and a few others.

[webfoot]

Few more:

[webfoot]

Nobody huh? I also learned its a factory black paint/red interior, and they'll throw in a 62 tri power setup with carbs if I pay asking price which is under 5k.

[Deadhead]

Engine Ear is the resident '62 expert, but I will throw in that basically if you are even ASKING about $ it is not going to be worth it to you. In terms of cost to build Vs final value, I would say conservatively that it will cost you double to build that car compared to what you will end up being able to sell it for. With virtually no aftermarket parts available, it is going to have to be a project you do because you absolutely love '62s and don't care about what it is ultimately worth.

[Engine-Ear]

Originally Posted by webfoot

Nobody huh? ...

Patience, Grasshopper!

Contemplate sincerely and take constructively Deadhead's words of wisdom, because they are.

But $5k for a western Cat ragtop as shown (with a 'spare 3x2') sounds fair if I (as a '62 enthusiast) were in the market for such a project.

Good luck and lettuce know what happens!

[webfoot]

Yeah, sorry.. that is obnoxious. I got into a few beers and got a little over-anxious..

I am going to call these people today and ask a few questions and probably make arrangements to buy it. (biggest on my list is "do you have the door panels?")

I know a guy like myself is always going to be in the hole on a car no matter what. I do all the work myself, but I enjoy doing it and that is why I buy them. I thought for about 5 minutes I could be money ahead with my 68 ragtop but that was quickly dismissed.

I tried to find pics of a 62 cat ragtop in black/red and couldn't find one, closest I got was a bonny and I thought it was stunning.

[webfoot]

Originally Posted by Engine-Ear

Good luck and lettuce know what happens!

I negotiated a deal with them. Very nice and forthcoming with my barrage of questions. Everything is included, including some extras. She specifically mentioned trim and there is also a complete extra front clip including the hood. I have no clue where I'm gonna put that.

I offered them "close" to their offering price and still talked them into throwing in the "extra" 3x2 setup. I got the whole shebang for 4300.

For more pics and info, visit my "Newest Darksider" thread in the Lobby.

[Txbobcat]

We will look forward to watching your progress on this.

[70ra455]

A black over red '62 Vert sold on ebay about 6 months ago? It was a bucket seat tripower car ... not sure about a/c but think so ... 8 lugs ...

ABSOLUTELY MINT from the pictures ...

[webfoot]

Not sure what happened to the bench in this but the owners say it currently has buckets from a 62GP? to put back in it. (is that the correct back seat for this thing? I think that is pretty cool.) I will order the PHS docs on this soon.

[70ra455]

u got a screaming deal for all that ...

[webfoot]

I take it that rear seat is out of something else?

[Txbobcat]

It looks stock to me but I am not a 62 expert.

[Marv]

Seat looks right for an early 60s model. Great to see another 62 on the forum

I'm about to remake a new trunk floor + lower driver's rear quarter (inner & outer) for my '62 Bonne Vista. I had ordered a 2nd hand floor but it turned out to be Swiss Cheese

[webfoot]

I can't imagine the strife you must go through sourcing parts in Australia! I found an excellent parts source in the same state (about 3 hours drive) and he has an original LH lower rear 1/4 panel section I can use. Can anybody confirm or deny the 1/4 on a GP would be the same in this section? (It sure looks to be.)

I also see they repop the trunk side panel/dropoff. (The piece the 1/4 panel attaches to at the bottom.) Has anybody used these, and do they fit worth a darn?

[Ragtop Man]

Looks like the beginnings of a good project.

Rear seat is a correct trim for a Catalina convert of that year. Buckets are definitely GP. A Cat could be had with the buckets in either standard trim (hen's-tooth rare) or with the Ventura (Bonneville) style trim (super rare.) If you track down the bench, be sure it is from a 2-dr to get the folding seat backs.

GP and Catalina convertibles are identical sheet metal; GP's and Cat HT's simply had a steel roof welded on to the basic convertible coupe body.

Luckily, you are torn down far enough now (good and ill for this) that you could have the body blasted and primed with relatively little elbow grease on your part, sealing up the old steel before it rusts any more.

The two big asks in this project will be locating all the parts and trim, and getting the body straight enough for black paint. Luckily for you, virtually everything common to Chevy, thanks to Fisher Body (windshield, glass, etc.) is out there courtesy of the undying love for Impalas.

Pontiac specific bits (everything else!) are somewhere between rare and unobtanium. I'd keep an eagle eye out for a good parts car, which will save you much, much money in the long run. It's not uncommon to find a 4-door in drop dead condition for a fraction of the value of a convertible or 2-dr ht.

Good luck! Keep posting pix!

[webfoot]

Thanks for the info. I think that rear seat pattern/colors is pretty awesome.

I will upload a bunch more pics probably next weekend. The car should be home this next friday.

After blasting my gto hood and trunk and dealing with the resulting oil-canning, I am hesitant to blast again. I will probably strip it down by hand, and seal with epoxy primer, and use my handy spot-blaster on any surface rust. (also, I hate blasting with a passion.)

Allegedly there is even a lot of extra stuff included, (even trim) I will be taking home all the good parts from another 62 Cat they got to help with the restoration.

I have been thinking of getting one of the 36" adjustable flexible sanders. I have the 21" I used on my 68 GTO and it did a pretty good job. Given the long and flat sides, hood, and trunk I think the 36" would be almost ideal for this job.

Here is a pic of my '68 gto: (lightside?)

[webfoot]

Ordered the PHS docs on this a few days ago. Travelling down there in a week from tomorrow to pick up the car.

I sold my 71 chev K-20 to buy this. Had that thing 8 years and did a lot of work to it to make it a nice truck. I was not right last night after the dude drove away!

[webfoot]

I don't think this bell housing was for a '66. Hope I didn't pay too much, but it seemed pretty good to me. $110 shipped.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/331280770305...S:1123&vxp=mtr