Catalina convertible still warms woman's heart
As a young girl, Ellen Peacock had her heart set on three life luxuries. She wanted a house with a fireplace, a swimming pool and a convertible. She's had all three - but it's the last one she's held onto the longest, and means the most to her today.
It's a 1967 Pontiac Catalina she and her husband, Earl, bought new from the dealer 50 years ago.
The newly married couple was living in Arlington Heights and headed to Morton Pontiac on Northwest Highway. They both were swayed toward the Pontiac brand; Ellen got her inclination from a childhood neighbor.
That neighbor owned Ormsby Motors in Crystal Lake, which carried Pontiac models. After seeing him bring home some gorgeous models, she set out to get one for herself.
When the couple arrived at Morton, they were immediately drawn to a Cardinal Red Catalina. They both loved the long, sleek cruiser but Ellen was most excited about the top, or rather the lack of one.
"I saw it and knew it was the one," Ellen recalls. "It was just so beautiful."
She was the convertible's main driver for the next couple of years. The Peacocks had young kids at home and the massive cabin in the Catalina worked well for ferrying them around. The drop-top also worked well for hauling other stuff. A trailer hitch was installed and the family took numerous trips towing their boat.
"We made so many great memories up and down the Fox River," Ellen says.
When it wasn't pulling the boat, the family hooked up their camper and took many family road trips, including one to Yellowstone National Park. During the 1970s, the Pontiac was stored for the winter months. It had some rust removed and was given new upholstery and a fresh coat of paint.
The car was used less and less during the next couple of decades and when Earl passed away in 2000, son John took over ownership. He maintained it for a while until, that is, Ellen wanted it back.
"She got back into it and started loving the car once again," John says.
Despite the classic's massive size, Ellen says it's always kept in the garage and out of the elements. It doesn't stay parked for long, however. She's driven it all over, including in numerous Elk Grove Village parades.
No major service or repairs have even been needed and the Catalina's odometer now shows just over 125,000 miles. Ellen's still thrilled with her drop top.
"It sounds better today than it ever did."
• Share your car's story with Matt at auto@dailyherald.com.