A reproduction trunk mat and...
A reproduction trunk mat and spare-tire cover complement the fully detailed trunk compartment.
Jim Wangers Recalls The Road Test
Jim Wangers tells HPP that the Aquamarine Super-Duty Catalina was specifically built as a press car, and that he made arrangements with Roger Huntington and Motor Trend magazine to road-test it at Detroit Dragway. "Royal Pontiac took delivery of the Catalina and we immediately added a Royal Bobcat appearance package consisting of white paint accents, 'Bobcat' decals on the roof pillars, and center-cap spinners on the 8-Lug aluminum wheels," he states.
While engine modifications are typically associated with Royal Bobcat packages, Wangers says there wasn't a need to modify the Super-Duty 421. "The engine was designed for maximum performance, so there wasn't much we could do mechanically to improve upon it. The Royal Pontiac team finely tuned it prior to the test, but the car was otherwise completely legal for Super Stock competition."
Riotte replaced the original...
Riotte replaced the original steering wheel with a N.O.S. unit during the restoration and the dash panel was repainted. The Sun tachometer is an aftermarket piece that was added at some point in the Catalina's life-it was retained for its period-correct appearance.
Wangers confirms Huntington's report of poor testing conditions. "It was the middle of winter and there was snow on the ground. The track hadn't been prepped since the last event in the fall, and the temperature was probably around 20 degrees," he recalls. "I drove the Catalina as hard as I could and Roger was simply blown away by its performance-he gave an excellent portrayal. Once testing was completed, Royal Pontiac sold the Catalina and I never knew what became of it. It's great to see it again after all these years." RR