From: brooks@mcnc.org (Ted Brooks)
Newsgroups: alt.autos.antique
Subject: Re: '56 Pontiac Catalina
Summary: KEEP IT!!!
Date: 11 Apr 92 20:58:11 GMT
Organization: Center for Microelectronics, MCNC; RTP, NC

In article <1992Apr8.200332.9743@meaddata.com>, dedek@meaddata.com (Mike Dedek) writes:
> My wife inherited a 1956 Pontiac Catalina from her grandparents.
> We are the second owners, the car has about 50,000 miles on it.
> It ran as recently as 4 years ago, and the interior is in good
> condition, no rips.  I think it's all original except the tires.
> Can anyone tell me about this, is it a collector's item, will it
> be particularly easy or difficult to find parts for (I'd like to
> keep it if not I'll surely post the sale here).
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Mike

IMHO, if you have ANY interest in antique cars, I would strongly consider
keeping the car. Low mileage, high quality, original unrestored cars are hard
to come by. Besides any sentimental value, you certainly can't beat your 
purchase price for getting into the hobby. :-)

As far as the "collectability" of this car, collectability, like beauty, is in
the eye of the beholder. Certainly, this car doesn't have the following that 
the Fords and Chevys of that era have. On the other hand, most all the '56
Pontiacs have very low production numbers, most models/body styles under
30,000 units. This means you'll definitely be different and stand out if you
take it to a show. On the other hand, '57 Chevys are "very collectable", but
if you go to a show, you'll see a whole line of them (and about half of them
are red or black). There's so many of them, they can almost become boring.
(My apologies to all '57 owners - I DO like them, but they DO seem to be
over-represented at many shows. Please, no flames - it's just my opinion.)
Anyway, my point is, you don't have to "follow the crowd" - if you enjoy what
you've got, the heck with the people who don't appreciate your car!

One thing I noticed looking in my books - the Catalina appears to be an
identifier for all the hardtop versions of the 860 and 870 series of Chieftain,
as well as the top of the line Star Chief. A hardtop (no "B" pillar between
the front door and the back door or quarter panel) is always more valuable
than the corresponding 2 or 4 door sedan. So if  it's a 2 or 4 door hardtop,
it's still worth more than the "usual"; if it's a convertible, it's worth
plenty!

As far as parts go, it won't be as easy as the Fords and Chevys, but not 
impossible either. Hemmings and Kanter Auto Parts are good places to start.
If you have specific needs, post them & we'll see what everybody can come
up with.

In spite of my longwindedness, I'm not a Pontiac expert by any measure. Do we
have any '50's Pontiac people out there who can help out with these questions?
 
Ted Brooks
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