The Origins of a Forgotten Pickup

Following the success of the 1957 Ford Ranchero, the American automotive landscape saw a surge in interest regarding car-based pickup trucks. When Chevrolet introduced the El Camino in 1959, built upon the foundation of the full-size Brookwood wagon, it prompted Semon "Bunkie" Knudsen, the General Manager of Pontiac, to consider whether his brand should compete in this emerging niche.


To explore the feasibility of a Pontiac variant, the engineering team constructed a single prototype. The project utilized a 1959 Catalina Safari wagon as its base, powered by a 389-CI V8 engine generating 300 horsepower, mated to a Hydra-Matic transmission. The build was a sophisticated modification: engineers integrated the cab and steel bed of an El Camino onto the Catalina chassis. They carefully grafted quarter panels from a two-door Catalina onto the bed and finished the rear with a custom-modified Catalina tailgate, bumper, and taillights. The front end remained true to the Safari, while the interior featured a signature Pontiac dashboard and a bench seat.


Why the El Catalina Never Reached the Showroom

The resulting vehicle, known as the "El Catalina," impressed both Knudsen and John DeLorean. However, the decision was made not to proceed with mass production. Several factors contributed to this choice, primarily market concerns. By 1959, the combined sales for the Ranchero and the El Camino reached only 37,000 units. Management concluded that the market was insufficient to warrant splitting those numbers across multiple General Motors brands. Furthermore, Knudsen feared that adding a pickup to the lineup would dilute Pontiac’s focus on building a reputation for high-performance vehicles.


A Second Life and Award-Winning Restoration

Rather than being scrapped, the prototype avoided destruction and spent its working life as a delivery vehicle for a Pontiac parts department. It covered over 100,000 miles before being sold in 1969. After passing through various owners, the vehicle was eventually acquired by collector Tom Girrard in 2008. He commissioned Tom White of Massachusetts to perform a comprehensive restoration.


The restoration of such a unique, one-off vehicle proved to be a challenging endeavor. The effort was highly successful, as evidenced by the car's performance in the enthusiast community:

  • It achieved a perfect 400-point score at the Pontiac-Oakland Club International national meet.
  • It earned "Best of Show" honors.
  • It secured multiple AACA National and Grand National titles.
  • It received the prestigious Otto Rosenbusch Memorial Award at the 2014 Concours of the Americas.

In January 2019, the El Catalina was listed at the Mecum Kissimmee auction. Although bidding reached an impressive $240,000, the final amount did not satisfy the reserve price. Consequently, the rare prototype remained unsold, missing an opportunity to become one of the most expensive Pontiacs ever sold at auction.