My Pop was a Poncho Freak, Loved the Pontiac Catalina's and Bonneville's. Always had THE largest available engine in whatever he bought. His first was a 1947 Chieftain with a straight eight. His favorite a 1956 Safari two door wagon my Mom called the 'Circus Wagon' for all the chrome and fancy crap on it(same body as the Nomad). His fastest were a 1962 four door Catalina with a 421 on a automatic, would eat the rear tires off it from a standing start and a 1972 Grand Prix , "Mom's Car" that with the 454 and posi was a smoker she used for a two mile round trip to her work everyday! We(my brothers and I) drove it on short trips on weekends or vacations where it preferred cruise at 80-85mph just off the Quadrajunk secondaries.
I loved my Grandfathers 1964 Catalna two door coupe, 389 tri power automatic, SMOKER!! My brothers' also became Ponco fanatics rebuilding the old 2+2 variety Catalina's two (1966&67) convertibles and one two door 1967 fastback. All 3 421 six pack 4 spd cars. I never had the time or the cash for doing that.
Have to tell a story, 1960. My Grandparents(Mom's) were looking to buy a small property in Arcadia MO to retire on, had driven down to visit with family and shop around where my Grandfather passed away in his sleep there. My folks got in their 1959 Pontiac wagon to make the drive from East Alton IL to Ironton/Arcadia MO on the old roads(IL Rte 3 and US 67 to MO Rte 21) to aid my Grandmother. My cousin stated to me not eight years ago he was waiting with the local cop to escort my folks thru town to the funeral home when he heard the old Pontiac light up and squalling coming across the hills. Dad made that 115 mile trip on two lane roads and thru St. Louis in just over an hour on bias ply tires in that old Pontiac Safari wagon.
