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....But then, I got the wagon fever. Nothing wrong with a Nelson BBC, but could've been a notch cooler with Pontiac power.
This 1964 Pontiac Catalina Safari (chassis 362S9848) has been with the seller for five years, during which time it’s undergone transformation from dilapidated ex-cop car to 550 horse, 468 CI big block powered monster. The seller has provided a link to his own write-up here, and the car has also been the subject of a Car Craft article as well as a Big Muscle episode on Drive (video below). The car is described as pristine, very fast, and very difficult to get a race in—no one wants to be embarrassed by a wagon. It is now available in Carlsbad, California for $49k.
Though we’re not normally fans of big wheels on older cars, the 18×8” Rocket Racing five spokes shown here work surprisingly well, especially as their gray centers contrast nicely with Pontiac Lime Light Green paint. Some trim has been deleted in pursuit of a cleaner look, and overall body work and paint seem to be of a high standard, the former done largely by Hot Rods & Custom Stuff in Escondido and the latter a professional job by Timeless Customs of Camarillo.
Inside things look equally clean, with work done by Eric Thorsen Custom Upholstery. A floor-mounted B&M shifter connects to a built Turbo 400 trans fitted with a 2800 RPM stall torque converter, and apart from a wood-rimmed wheel and some under-dash auxiliary gauges the cabin appears to be largely stock. Being an ex-police car, it’s still fitted with a working siren, engaged by a switch mounted to the left of the steering column. Three point shoulder belts at all four corners are a nice safety upgrade.
Mechanical highlights include a 468 CI Chevy built by Nelson Racing Engines and fitted with a custom ground cam, heavily ported heads, and an 850 CFM Holley said to be good for roughly 550 HP and a broadly equivalent torque figure. Power is sent rearwards through the aforementioned trans to a Currie built 9” Ford rear end with 3.70:1 gears and factory Pontiac four link setup. Brakes are unassisted discs, and suspension is stock apart from lower springs, though the car is said to handle surprisingly well—much of which may be due to 245/40 and 275/45 rear Toyos.
Says the seller: “Want to blend in, sip coffee, and BS with like-minded people about which catalog you bought your OEM bumpers in? Want to pull into a car show and line up with 14 other cars of the same make and model to be part of the group? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then this is not the car for you.”
This 1964 Pontiac Catalina Safari (chassis 362S9848) has been with the seller for five years, during which time it’s undergone transformation from dilapidated ex-cop car to 550 horse, 468 CI big block powered monster. The seller has provided a link to his own write-up here, and the car has also been the subject of a Car Craft article as well as a Big Muscle episode on Drive (video below). The car is described as pristine, very fast, and very difficult to get a race in—no one wants to be embarrassed by a wagon. It is now available in Carlsbad, California for $49k.
Though we’re not normally fans of big wheels on older cars, the 18×8” Rocket Racing five spokes shown here work surprisingly well, especially as their gray centers contrast nicely with Pontiac Lime Light Green paint. Some trim has been deleted in pursuit of a cleaner look, and overall body work and paint seem to be of a high standard, the former done largely by Hot Rods & Custom Stuff in Escondido and the latter a professional job by Timeless Customs of Camarillo.
Inside things look equally clean, with work done by Eric Thorsen Custom Upholstery. A floor-mounted B&M shifter connects to a built Turbo 400 trans fitted with a 2800 RPM stall torque converter, and apart from a wood-rimmed wheel and some under-dash auxiliary gauges the cabin appears to be largely stock. Being an ex-police car, it’s still fitted with a working siren, engaged by a switch mounted to the left of the steering column. Three point shoulder belts at all four corners are a nice safety upgrade.
Mechanical highlights include a 468 CI Chevy built by Nelson Racing Engines and fitted with a custom ground cam, heavily ported heads, and an 850 CFM Holley said to be good for roughly 550 HP and a broadly equivalent torque figure. Power is sent rearwards through the aforementioned trans to a Currie built 9” Ford rear end with 3.70:1 gears and factory Pontiac four link setup. Brakes are unassisted discs, and suspension is stock apart from lower springs, though the car is said to handle surprisingly well—much of which may be due to 245/40 and 275/45 rear Toyos.
Says the seller: “Want to blend in, sip coffee, and BS with like-minded people about which catalog you bought your OEM bumpers in? Want to pull into a car show and line up with 14 other cars of the same make and model to be part of the group? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then this is not the car for you.”
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