A couple of weeks back I made the two-hour drive from Omaha to Des Moines, Iowa for a business meeting. The 120-mile (or so) stretch of I-80 between the two cities is generally pretty tranquil and my ’14 GMC Yukon cruises happily along at 75 mph. Being a main artery in the cross-country interstate system, there’s always a trailer or two loaded with cool cars to look at.
While on a business trip to Des Moines, Iowa, I happened across this '72 Catalina that seemed to be driven daily.
This particular trip to Des Moines proceeded almost as expected until I pulled into the customer’s parking lot. There, I was pleasantly greeted by a much unexpected surprise—a ’72 Catalina Brougham four-door in Cardinal Red accented by a white vinyl top and white and black interior. I arrived a few minutes early anyway, so I had time for a closer look.
I found the Catalina amazingly original and quite clean for its age. The red exterior appeared to be the original finish, but it was worn thin in spots. The interior was exactly as it left the factory and exceptionally clean despite the typical assortment of mail, napkins, magazines, and newspapers, which suggested that it was currently serving as daily transportation. And since it wasn’t parked in a spot marked “visitor,” I could only assume that it was an employee’s.
As I stood next to the Catalina taking it in, I started thinking how odd this occurrence was. It was 2018 and there, setting next to me was a ’72 Pontiac that was seemingly used as a daily driver. Based on its survivor-type condition, I doubt that had been driven daily since 1972, however. After all, for any 46-year-old-vehicle to survive so many Midwest winters, it certainly hadn’t seen them all. The overall condition of its Cardinal Red paint clearly indicated that it had been garaged for most if its life. I suspect the Catalina had been well cared for by its original owner(s) and was passed down or sold as it became part of a family estate.
It would seem from the stickers in the bumper and back window that this Catalina has been thoroughly enjoyed over the years. And from its appearance today, it seems as if there any many more pleasurable miles left in it!
On the return trip to Omaha, I reflected on my experience. I silently admired the Catalina’s owners over the years. They cared enough to keep it clean and maintain its originality. It remained in such great condition that the current owner is able to drive it regularly today. I couldn’t help but think how much fun an owner could have daily-driving his/her vintage Pontiac.
Like many of you, I drove a vintage Pontiac every day for many years of my life. As we grow older, have families, and appreciate technology (for both convenience and efficiency), the reliability and improved fuel economy associated with modern vehicles tends to overtake the practicality of driving vintage vehicles on a daily basis. For the nostalgic bunch like me, few feelings are more satisfying than the experience of stepping back in time. I try to get my fix as often as possible, but for this Catalina’s owner, it seems he gets a daily dose!
Are you daily driving a vintage Pontiac? If so, please share your story!