We’ve all gone through the family albums and seen at least a car or two that we wish one of our elders would have hung on to for us to enjoy nowadays. For most of us, those cars have been out of reach since grampa sold ‘em off for $25, but for 59BlueBomber over on the My Hemmings pages, he was not only able to track down the 1959 Pontiac Catalina that his great-grandfather “Jig” bought new and drove for many years, he was also able to buy it and get it running. His story:
This very car was purchased new by my Great-Grandfather “JIG” in Dec. 1958, just before Christmas from Windolph Pontiac in Portland, Oregon. He drove the car daily until he passed way in 1984, when he was 88 years young. My Brother inherited the car and he kept it for less than a year. With him being in High School, the car was not cool enough and a bit big for him, he traded it in on a smaller car. The car went through two more owner’s before my Dad showed me the car sitting in a driveway in Portland, collecting moss and looking a little forelorn and neglected, but still wearing its original 1959 Oregon license plates. I sent the owner a letter telling her the above story and that if she ever wanted to sell it, to let me know. Three letters later and some pestering, she agreed to sell it to me, because my intentions are to eventually restore and enjoy it, rather than part it out, like some others wanted to do. When I “found” the car, it was missing the carburetor, a few spark plugs and had not been in any running condition in over 8 years. With the help of my Wife’s Dad and a few friends, we loaded it on the trailer and towed her home, stopping to wash the 1/4″ of genuine Oregon moss covering just about every square inch. I have since repainted the wheels the proper color, got new tires, polished the 4 original hubcaps that were in the trunk and changed all the fluids, belts, hoses, rebuilt the water pump. She has 115,000 original miles on the motor & transmission and have never been taken out of the car. The VIN is stamped on the front of the engine and matches the car. The engine and drivetrain are in remarkable shape she runs smooth and strong, the transmission drives and shifts perfectly. The body is in great shape considering her age, with a few bumps and bruises, is pretty much intact and original. It has all of the original E-Z-Eye glass, upholstery and door panels. I enjoy driving her almost daily as Grandpa Jig did. My 4 year old son nicknamed her the Blue Bomber and he enjoys riding wherever I go. I have since learned alot about these wonderful cars and continue to do so.
Got a story or photos of your collector car that you’d like to share? Do so at My Hemmings today!