The Homecoming
Dave was ecstatic to have been bestowed such an honor and ventured to the farm to retrieve the Catalina. Upon arrival, however, he found that its engine wouldn't fire. "I enlisted the help of my dad, Dick," says Dave. "He was always mechanically inclined and, after I described the symptoms to him, he told me that it sounded like the float was stuck, and suggested that I gently tap on the center carburetor. I did, and sure enough, it fired right up."
Once the Catalina was back in Omaha, Dave and his dad found that it needed only minor repairs to make it roadworthy. "We took the car to Performance Auto and had the radiator and carburetors cleaned to rid them of any internal deposits that accumulated while it sat. We also found that the fuel gauge was stuck in one position, and narrowed it down to the sending unit. I really didn't want to replace the original, and was happy to find that it was just coated with varnish. After a thorough cleaning, it worked like it was supposed to," he states.
The trunk area is spotless,...
The trunk area is spotless, and the original BFGoodrich Silvertown spare tire has never touched the pavement.
Since given ownership, Dave has added roughly 500 miles to the Catalina, occasionally taking it out to stretch its legs or attend various local-area shows. "It's an awesome performer, and it doesn't take long to get it going," he says. "It definitely has an 'old' feel to it though. The manual steering and drum brakes take a little getting used to, and the push-button AM radio isn't exactly exciting, but that's what driving an old vehicle is about. I love the steering wheel and tri-colored interior, and the classic body lines draw looks wherever we take it."
"It has as much sentimental meaning to me as it does to Charlotte and Roberta," Dave adds. "My dad was very excited to help me get it running, and we worked on it together for a while. It wasn't long after that he too passed away, and that really enhances the emotional ties our entire family has to the Pontiac. Even though the title is in my name, it's still Ray's car, and I'm just its keeper. My job is to preserve it for the family."
Future plans for the Catalina include little beyond any required maintenance to aid the preservation. In the meantime, the family has another Pontiac project looming on the horizon. For Roberta's 16th birthday, Ray had given her a then late-model Solar Gold '78 Trans Am that she still owns and, though it has just 51,000 miles on the odometer today, it needs fresh paint and minor interior work-both of which it will receive within the next few years, and it will serve as yet another remembrance of Ray Kehr
Conclusion
While some may view cars as inanimate objects that are nothing more than transportation, others consider a vehicle an extension of their personality and, if a person keeps one long enough, it tends to become a symbol of them. This Catalina has assumed that role to those whose lives Ray Kehr touched. The 39,000 miles it currently shows isn't indicative of how far it's traveled down memory lane and, with continued care always in its future, this Pontiac is nowhere near the end of its sentimental journey.
Owner Ray Kehr opted for code...
Owner Ray Kehr opted for code P20 (8-Lug) aluminum wheels, and code P26 8.0x14-inch white-lined tires to improve handling and enhance his Catalina's overall appearance. The standard 0.75-inch front sway bar helps keep the Catalina level in turns. A set of H78x14 BFGoodrich Lifesaver A/W tires replaced the originals in the 70s, and remain on the Catalina today. Code N10 dual exhaust was required with the L71 engine, and 3.42:1 rear gearing was standard when it was combined with a four-speed manual transmission.
The W50 Custom Sport Group...
The W50 Custom Sport Group was an extra-cost item that included Ventura seating surfaces and door panels, and exterior ornamentation. Ray also opted for code B50 front seat cushion, C13 two-speed electric wipers with C11 washer, and N30 deluxe steering wheel. The tachometer mounted on the steering column is an aftermarket Dixco unit.