Projects No room but can't stop

A few weeks ago an old friend tells me about an old car for free. . . . How can you say no, right?
1961 Pontiac Catalina 4dr hardtop. Been stored outside for over 10 years but original 389/auto with big rear-end, plastic over original seats, well optioned car, floors and trunk not rotted out. Wife saw pictures and said "I'd drive that" so today I grabbed some help, a trailer, and 4 good wheels-tires got it home. My pal Ross helped swap wheels, get it on the trailer, and pressure wash and scrub it. Momma is happy we're putting together a car for her.

 

Right place at the Right time

 

Score !!

 

Going with a minimalist approach for now. Motor spins by hand so. . . . Get it running, transmission rebuilt before it was stored, rear brakes and lines are new, need to look over a lot more but it has a lot going for it- ez eye glass, solid body, minimal rust, complete car, good interior, and ran when parked. He drove it to the storage facility.
The bad;
Needs a right front fender, all 4 shocks (it was bouncing on the trailer all the way home), steering wheel clear plastic all broke off, interior stinks SO BAD!!!
Looking forward to tinkering with this barge

 

Is it running yet ? What the hell you waiting on ?

 

Obviously from the 80s, nice shorts

 

If It's free its for me.....great styling that year...

 

Weird just got a 65 c10 for free..also got offered a 50s dodge station wagon for free but I didn't want to bug my bud with the tow truck.

 

I got an ozone generator that is big enough to do a 400 sq ft room in an hour. Really works, eliminates any residual odor. You can't be in the room when it is working, as high concentrations of ozone can be harmful. You set the timer, leave, and air the room or car out when it's done. There is no residual harmful stuff left, because ozone is just oxygen with one molecule of oxygen added, making it 03 vs. 02. It breaks down into o2 immediately. I got it to deodorize my house and cars after kicking the smoking habit. Really works and only 30 bones at Amazon with free shipping. Made by Vevor. There is a ton of info online about how these work so I won't go into detail. Could be an answer to the odor problem.

 

That year, make, model was one of the good ones.
That specimen is also a good one, so, GOOD GOOD.
And Mama likes it

 

Years ago I bought a barn find 39 Ford coupe….a good solid car that came with a nasty stink inside. I pulled the interior completely out and gave it a good cleaning and airing out. Still smelled! No seats, no door panels, no headliner, no floor mats. I believe in the ozone machines but, even though that helped somewhat, the smell remained. I finally figured it out…..mice had nested in the cardboard glovebox and the urine was a permanent fixture. I removed the offending box and everything smelled great afterwards.

 

I picked up an OT Belair exactly 2 months ago, I had to wait on the seats to be done a few weeks, but it is DD material. My girlfriend found it for me. She likes driving it. I have no room either, but it is hard to pass up the RIGHT car.

 

A place I worked years ago had a Dodge pickup with a 389 poncho engine in it...we called it the Dodgiac and all the guys fought over who got to drive it.
I bet you can get the stink out with all windows open in an hour at 100 mph

Enjoy

 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

 

Just make more room as he who dies with the most toys wins.

 

I've always been elitist about 4 doors, with just a few exceptions I'd tune out on all of em. But I'm starting to come around, that Pontiac can be a dam nice car and I'd have dragged her home, too.

 

I also recently purchased an OT vehicle that I didn't need because wife said "I'd drive that", lol.
I raised two boys and one thing they were taught early was, "when mom's happy , everyone's happy".
(both are happily married)
Tim

 

Cool car!
I'm with ya. Got one in a storage locker and another outside with a car cover

 

I bought 17 acres, that’s a problem.

 

I like these, I would have taken that, too. And for free! Can't beat that. These things have a really cool interior pattern.

 

Dang, thats a good score. You suck majorly! Right place at the right time.

 

I love big GM cars. Just dragged home a '65 LeSabre, but it's got some rust issues & missing the engine. Was almost as cheap as yours, but not quite. I think you got the better deal.

 

When you get more space it's a constant internal battle not to fill it with cars and tools.

Can't beat a big 60's GM, nice find!

 

Sweet I love it when things work out for everyone

 

After getting it home and going through everything it is a decent car (for once)
Transmission rebuilt 3k miles ago, all new tune up parts and all new brakes, wheel cylinders, hoses right before it was stored. Yesterday I cleaned the plugs, sprayed Kroil in each hole, and filled radiator with water. Today I put a new battery in, fuel hose in gas can, and my pal Ross filed the points. He put em back in, set them by eye. . . It fired right up! Took a couple minutes for the valves to free themselves.
After a warm up I am shocked how good it runs. 23years sitting outside I am fortunate!

 

Very impressive indeed!
I will be watching the inspired progress of this old worthy poncho, come back to life, and kick ass !
Thanks from Dennis.

 

Yes you are! My Dad had an early 60's 389 Pontiac. Gotta love 'em. I bet after a few heat cycles she will run even better. Change the fluids and get the brakes sorted (the flex lines are usually the first to go, collapsing inward) and enjoy! Congrats. And Ross sounds like a great pal to have.

 

Yessir @34 5W Paul , Ross is a wealth of knowledge and he has a million stories- all old car related. He can name EVERY part at the swap meets and tell you what car it came from. The other day we stopped at an old house where contractors just pulled an old coupe out of the barn. The family says it's a 41 Buick. Ross says "nope, that's a 37 model blah blah blah and it has the straight 8 and this transmission and that rearend". He even knew the brand and size of tires it originally came with. "By the way you have 38 hub caps on it, the original ones are hanging on the wall inside the barn." Just unbelievable!