1961 Pontiac Catalina 421ci | [4K] | Banging Gears 4-spd

[@donhathaway3234]

My very first car was a 61 Bonneville 389 4v. Still the nicest car I ever owned!

[@chrisnizer]

We had a '62 Grand Prix when I was a kid, had it during high school and while I was in the Marine Corps. It had a 389 Tri-Power, built with the expertise/guidance of John Angeles in his home garage, a T-10 4speed trans, power windows, and factory original 8-lug aluminum wheels. Been hooked on Ponchos ever since. Thanks for the video my friend, good stuff !👍 👍

[@robertchristie9434]

From about '57 to '72 it seemed like Pontiac could do no wrong & had some of GM's best looking & performing cars. My wife had a '68 Firebird bought new & we had it for about 10 years before Michigan salty winters got to it. My brother in-law owned a midnight blue '64 Bonneville convertible that was a jaw dropper & drop dead gorgeous. Buddy of mine mustered out of the Marines in early '64 & bought one of the first GTO's, maroon 4-speed, at Packer Pontiac in Detroit. Great cars, great memories.

[@johnwyliejr347]

Dad has a 61 Bonneville he has owned since new, still under 48K miles, 389 , 425 A Code , tripower , 4 speed. No power options. Just a beautiful car. These cars are just cool. Very well done video.

[@opera93]

Wow, thanks. 2hat a classic… ( FOUR SPEED MANUEL , or AUTO…?? I heard some Catalina’s , got 4 speed Autos?? In 61-62..?

[@johnwyliejr347]

@@opera93 4 speed manual.

[@paulciprus9582]

Like how it has a M-22 trans….can hear the whine in 1st through 3rd….awesome….😀😀.

[@MrTuxpro]

So it's a straight cut gear transmission. Was it an exception at this time ? I've watched many videos of cars of this era, first time I noticed the whine

[@bradleylovej]

@@MrTuxpro All M-22 cars had straight gears, from what I understand. Most cars didn't get the M-22 though, just the M-20 or M-21.

[@MrWoodyBalto]

Pontiac was the Drug Dealer in 62 the Catalina was the the free sample in 64 they got you hooked for life with the GTO.

[@joequillun7790]

"Yeah man". :)

[@stevenhagebusch9561]

i got a 62 cat 2 dr hardtop bench seat 4 speed 389 with a 455 crank bbc rods worked heads and a real s.d. intake and carbs early fullsize long branch manifolds (pretty much factory headers) 3:90s out back on steelies with dog dishes and m/h cheaters.....she runs ok.....

[@MarinCipollina]

@@stevenhagebusch9561 Okay huh.. just okay.. lol.. I'll bet..

[@verdict1163]

These early 60s cars were the pinnacle of GM styling, IMO.

[@gordocarbo]

Sure were! Look at that roofline, pillars and glass wow. Pure class and 0 blind spots! Nothing better than a big car with a BB. First muscle car imo...then the 409 chebby 427 ford etc. Note the tailfins most got rid of in the 50s dig it!!

[@nsidor1234]

This car is, without a doubt, the baddest Pontiac I have ever seen...👍

[@MarinCipollina]

The ENTIRE fleet of 1960s Pontiac muscle was badass..

[@wraitheful]

as much as I love these drags, I still see myself easing through those gears. that’s a beauty; bet it sold fast.

[@gordocarbo]

GTOs are nice and all but Ive always seen this as the 1st real one . Many still never heard of them...they did pretty well at the dragstrip! Love big cars, big blocks tall gears and a close ratio 4 speed. Those cars look wicked when they are lowered with that wide track thing going on .

[@marcmaz21]

This is the coolest Pontiac, I mean the coolest muscle car I’ve ever seen. If I ever win the lottery, I’m looking for this car. Perfection. What a fantastic car. Either driving or staring at it in the garage. It doesn’t get any better than this.

[@MarinCipollina]

It's a great one, but there are so many awesome 1960s Pontiacs to choose from.. 1965 Grand Prix, 1966 Bonneville, 1964 Catalina 2 + 2.. 1967 Grand Prix and many many more..

[@marcmaz21]

@@MarinCipollinaAgree with you but this car is the one. Kinda like when you see that special girl out somewhere and you just know she’s the one. 😊

[@MarinCipollina]

Such a sweet 1961 Pontiac.. Pontiac roared back in the day !

[@kama357]

Awesome! The 421 was a seriously under rated engine. Horse power wise, rated @ the factory! 👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️

[@MarinCipollina]

yeah, those were good for 600 plus HP

[@johncaballero8013]

Fantastic old school muscle machine! Really sweet.

[@Musclecar1972]

One of my first cars was a 1963 Catalina convertible, 421 tri power 4 speed, the aluminum center I believe 8 lug wheels, was a very unusual car, had 4 bucket seats, front were regular, the back, set like a normal seat, but divided by a console which ran from the front to the rear, was a 4 seat car, have never seen another like it. It was all factory, bright red, with red and burgundy vinyl seats. Had a factory tach bolted to the console in a brushed aluminum housing, also factory. Beautiful car, and fast for the size and weight of the car.

[@ChicagoRob2]

Had a ‘61 bubble-top. My all-time favorite Pontiac.

[@steamboatwillie1453]

The only car model I like more than the 1961 Impala bubble top. That droopy passenger side sun visor looks like a pain, not an unusual problem and with an easy fix.

[@richardmahoney9415]

Never seen on of these until now amazing car and review like always

[@misplaced80sguy59]

Love it! Can’t wait to own a 421 SD Pontiac!

[@mikecondoluci53]

my uncle had a 63 gp 421 i loved riding in it when i was a kid, thank you for a great video

[@Daniel-s8z6z]

I believe it was 1968 and my brother had this same car (color, running gear)in a convertible... unforgettably beautiful!

[@DannyWilley]

One cool car, my neighbor had one back in the early 70's.

[@y2ka6qv89]

This was one of the cars in my early 1960's racing set.

[@glyngough9743]

Love the stance! 🤠💪🙌

[@dandahermitseals5582]

I had a 65 big block Olds 442. The best American cars were built in the 60s. Dandahermit

[@Edward-pu1wt]

Sold for $52,500 on BAT. Nice buy for someone.

[@joequillun7790]

Thanks for sharing. Good to know.

[@bacb4dark7011]

Not bad,thought it would go for more.

[@tekuhnjr]

Somehow, other cars were present on your "closed road" test drive - LOL. Awesome car!

[@randyhartwick5441]

sweet ride my friend

[@Frankinsteinguitar]

Love bubble tops!

[@joequillun7790]

Great video. Covered all the important areas. Test drives are "far out". Surprised with all the work done, no-body checked the rear gear. And you did mix up your "low ratio" comment. (but most people do). Thanks for posting.

[@lennartswenson2690]

Family owned several Pontiacs, I owned a '64 GTO and a '70 Trans Am. One thing I noticed over the years is Pontiacs always have a taillight bulb out or needing a bulb pushed back into its socket...

[@gordocarbo]

Pontiac has the best sounding exhaust if one used turbos n turndowns any size would do. Still havent forgotten that sound. Did you know the exhaust clip in Billy Joels movin out was a 389 GTO?

[@MarinCipollina]

@@gordocarbo Pontiac used resonators on dual exhaust big V8s.. gave Pontiac that signature rumble.

[@theintake8961]

I'm glad you finished the Pontiac Chris, it turned out awesome! I am going to have to pick one up. 👍😎

[@markchodroff250]

I had a 1961 Pontiac Bonneville Bubble top , with 389/421 heads and tri power, same color as this car but being a Bonneville the trim and interior was much better , had the car back in 1966 ! Sorry I ever sold it

[@tristamsculthorpe4609]

My '55 Chevy (409 Edelbrock high rise dual Carters) had a 456 rear end It would lay rubber for a block and a half (11" Mickey Thompsons) in third. Top speed was 105 mph but it would get there QUICK!!!

[@dannymostarac1799]

421 super duty.

[@BobElder-vs1tn]

That’s one beautiful car!!

[@ceesteven]

Must you touch everything? Oh, the alternator looks loose. Beautiful Car.

[@pierrelalonde3705]

Wow what a beauty

[@eddievantailn2882]

The trunk metal is so nice there is no need to pull the mat back. I trust you dude.

[@tomjonas7384]

It reminds me of my road runner are used to have the the way it put you back in a seat when you drop the pedal to the floor

[@randynelson47]

Love the bubble top..

[@RaymondRaymond-fb7pk]

Bubbletop makes this car choice

[@hb-3462]

My English teacher in high school had one, 389 4speed, I was so jealous!

[@FaithfulServant316]

Somebody slowed down to take a peak at the ride at end of the video. 😆 😎👍🇺🇲💪

[@WhooliganK]

You’re a beautiful complainer. I could listen,with a smile, to you complain all day, all night, and I’d then gladly do the dishes and wash,dry, iron, flush n fold to your, and only your desire. Then I’d have a cigarette and a cold Beer! That’s my dream baby!

[@mrc4912]

I remember those awesome cars: they could pass anything but a gas station....

[@Cosmo50]

🤔 "Just imagine how it was to show up to your local Pontiac dealer and order the performance parts from mild to wild." ☢ 🛠Install the hidden switch to electronically opening headers that⛈ sung thunder 🌩whilst running at "slightly over the limit" speeds on the highway, and then touch the magic button, and one keeps the noise laws in town!"🎼🎙 (😎 Pontiac Power: Pure and undiluted 😍)

[@karrkraft893]

What an accurate and perfect comment!

[@GeraldWood-ig9rw]

Ford truck hood scoop from full size commercial trucks 😊

[@-Barracuda-426]

Woow😍😍😍

[@pierreduy8838]

This car should be named, "Bunkie's Comet"...for real.

[@gtodriver341]

I want one

[@sheilah4525]

First car, a used, gold Bonneville, 1961. Got it used in 1966. It was June. By September, it had cost me every cent from my part time job that it was cheaper to dump it on a stripped down but NEW 1966, silver blue Mustang. And it was cheaper to maintain and I did not miss the Bonneville’s 9 mpg, high test gas bill either. But, BOY, what a back seat!

[@jcmc8235]

What cha got there ?!!!

[@markarrivi298]

My BEST BUDDY ON EARTH HAS. A 1962 CATALINA WITH A 421 HYPO FIT ENGINE. AND A 4 SPEED TRANNY TO BOOT

[@patk4244]

My dad had a 62 convertible Catalina

[@TarotMoon]

[@cag1763]

Just look at it...

[@mattstankes-jb9os]

A 66 Bonneville 389 tri power show car was for sale in 1988 .I bought the 84 Monte Carlo instead dammit!

[@dannymostarac1799]

🎉🎉😊🎉🎉

[@joewebb4836]

it seems to have nice tall gears.

[@joequillun7790]

I thought so too. Don't know if I ]'ld call them "nice". Maybe 3.08s. Good for hi-way driving, but that's about it. The host said it'ld be better with 4.30s. I agree with him.

[@gordocarbo]

@@joequillun7790 Bet it still pulled hard through all 4 gears being a big block. Had a 68 SS Chevelle that was pretty rowdy, same thing. It was featured in a mag around 90? Featuring the line lock article. Nice smoky burnout pic

[@user-sr3jm1je4n]

Hello! Baby !

[@michaelreilly1310esq]

Bad to the bone. License tag should read: SMOKE EM

[@mikeklakowicz1186]

Would give it a great review without letting them know it wasn't a 389

[@Ricky-manic]

I think I fell in love man fuck that's a good lookin pontiac

[@hornetbrown]

Built to thump on hard.

[@onazram1]

Anyone know what this sold for...

[@gordocarbo]

52k on bat

[@johnguth5376]

Ask me! Fan F'n tastic!!!!

[@timarb5177]

Actually 62 Pontiac Grand Prix deluxe.4 sp

[@robertparker6654]

I winced a bit when he did that. Shouldn't touch the paint on a car like that. That's why they rope them off at car shows.

[@sharonw2475]

Where's the 413 Cross-Ram Wedge?

[@gordocarbo]

the sd came with a healthy 421. Your thinking mopar a little old lady in pasadena owned

[@richarddevoe5871]

@@gordocarbo - I think he was talking about Mopar’s big block offering but the guy was just talking GM & Ford (when he talked about racing at that time) I was kinda thinking along those same points being a Mopar guy myself but that 61 Pontiac is my all time favorite Pontiac… 421’s were so underrated

[@mikeklakowicz1186]

I herd in an interview with Jim wangers that they stuffed a 421 in a g.t.o. so motor trend w

[@jamesrandolph6021]

That's a mean, mean automobile.

[@JorgePalomo-u2u]

Ok

[@johnspontiacbarn]

nice car, but not 61 seats. 62/66 seats, 58/61 seats are metal clamshell buckets.

[@MarinCipollina]

The motor is also a 1962.. This is a muscle car, not a concours car.

[@mdegeorge1]

Rubs the dust on the freshly polished paint. 🙄

[@ChicagoRob2]

IKR

[@user-vn6vx6rf7d]

Great car but get rid of those 3-0 gears. Car needs 410's.

[@user-vn6vx6rf7d]

And no please don't rev it to 6800 you will be picking up the pieces. 5500-

[@paulreed2138]

i would not bid on it after he remmed it.

[@privateer0561]

Beautiful car but that exhaust sounds like ****.

[@gordocarbo]

Flomasters. Sound good on fords only

[@albertjackson9236]

The extremally loud introduction noise is unacceptable.

[@davidkensinger7581]

The scoop does not look good. It would be better without it.

[@malcolmcapps8816]

He don't know how to drive a 4sp

[@joequillun7790]

LOL. Maybe he was babying it, if it was an original T-10. Powershfting is a lost art.

[@gordocarbo]

How should he have driven it? Fresh rebuild, said he didnt wanna hammer on it. Powershifting hardly makes a difference in the 1/4 anyways

[@gordocarbo]

@@joequillun7790 He said in the vid he was taking it easy on the car . Hard to powershift late model trans too many synchros and the hyd clutch isnt up to it Nothing like mechanical linkages.

[@joequillun7790]

@@gordocarbo Powershifting doesn't make a difference in ETs? Sure it doesn't. You must drive a P/G.

[@MarinCipollina]

Buy it and you can drive it any way you prefer.

[@tedshantz6193]

sumbody ruined a nice car

[@hbcncrepairllchbcncrepairl9955]

Pontiac was ahead of the rest by 1 to 2 years

[@MarinCipollina]

Pontiac was bad to the bone.

[@hbcncrepairllchbcncrepairl9955]

There was a 428 Pontiac motor in the Grand Prix.

[@MarinCipollina]

@@hbcncrepairllchbcncrepairl9955 eventually you would be able to get a 455 in the Grand Prix.

[@paulvonauth7254]

curious, what did it sell for?

[@ricksmith1527]

To bad they didnt use that motor in the transams in 70s

[@ricksmith1527]

Nice car if you quit rubbing your hands on the paint!! Its black! You will spider scratch it rubbing on it! Cotton soft micro fiber only or car duster! No terry cloth bath towels people there not dark paint freindly! Cant tell you how many shows I've lost from people sliding hands on paint or using terry cloth bath towels. I quit restoring perfect muscles cars as people do not know how to do the right thing with them!