According to Pontiac Historical Services, this Catalina sports coupe was built on or about December 7, 1964, at the Linden, NJ, assembly plant., and sold by Jarman Pontiac in Baltimore, MD. The vehicle is Fontaine Blue with a Blue Charcoal interior.
Original equipment included the 2+2 Sports Option, the 421ci / 356hp WH code motor (one of 877 1965 Pontiac’s so equipped), Tri-Power carburetion, with a 4-speed manual transmission, and 3.42 Saf-T-Track rear. Options included a floor console, AM radio, “wire wheel” covers, and back-up lights. There were no power steering or brakes installed.
My research has uncovered three previous owners: Kenneth W. Anthony until 1983 (if you’re out there, please contact me), Charlie Lynch 1983-2001, and Steve Parberry 2001-2007 – all from Sussex County, Delaware. Conversations with Steve and Charlie indicate that this car is completely original except for one exterior repaint prior to my purchase in September, 2007. Charlie owns an auto repair shop, and says that he purchased the car from Seaside Chevrolet, Frankford, DE, for $400, after it had been traded on a Chevrolet Scooter (!!!). The car had about 62,000 miles at the time. He said the motor was untouched – heads never off – original starter, alternator, carburetion, factory air cleaner. He added a reel-out trunk light and 8-lug wheels. Charlie traded some mechanical work with a local body shop for a fresh paint job in the original color. The interior is untouched original, including carpets & headliner. All glass is original. All body panels are from the factory.
Since purchasing the car, I have had the undercarriage blasted & epoxy primer and painted. The body was completely stripped and repainted in the original Fontaine Blue, although I opted for base/clear coat. There are no Bondo patches on the car. Body and paint were done by Larry Johnston of Mastertech.
I am attempting to keep the car as original as practical. The few changes I have made are easily and completely reversible – the original parts are being retained. These changes include power steering (a concession to old age), swap to factory ’65 AM/FM factory radio, addition of factory dash mounted tachometer, and replacement of the rear package shelf. Pontiac 8-lug wheels have been added.
All the chrome and stainless trim has been professionally restored.
The engine was professionally rebuilt by Jim & Mark Pickett, well known Pontiac racers from Drexel Hill, PA. During the rebuild, forged pistons & rods were installed, along with a hydraulic roller cam.
The wiring harness has been replaced from the firewall forward.
I replaced the exhaust with a stainless steel system.
Three days after the engine rebuild, I drove the car to Dayton, Ohio, for the 2009 POCI/GTOAA Co-Vention, at which the car won a Gold Award in the Stock Class.
Pontiac Solstice Research
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