The Catallo Coupe: An eBay story
 

Bruce (Xplantdad) told me that I should post this story on the Y-net so here goes.

I've recently decided to sell much of my 30-year collection of plastic models. Last week I listed two 1962 Aurora "Ram Rod" '32 Ford coupe kits on eBay, item 6033538420. The model was based on the famous "Catallo Coupe," also known as the "Silver Sapphire." This is the car that was on the cover of the Beach Boys "Little Deuce Coupe" album and had also been featured on the cover of the July 1961 Hot Rod. In my eBay listing I decided to add the history of the actual car so as to educate anyone interested in the two models and I also posted a scan of the 7/61 Hot Rod cover along with the model photos. The auction ended and the high bidder contacted me. I notice that his name is Catallo and I just about fell out of my chair. Yep, Curt Catallo, son of the car's original owner, had bought the models! Curt's sister had noticed the family name on the title of my auction and checked it out and Curt wound up buying the models. Here's Curt's reply to my initial contact after the auction:

"Bill, Clarence Catallo was my dad. He died eight years ago, but not before buying his coupe back. We restored her (with GM's help) to her cover-shoot condition and took her to Pebble Beach. She left for the Peterson Museum last week, and will be on display through July. My sister spotted your listing. It goes without saying that you definitely did your homework as far as the coupe is concerned. On behalf of my family, many thanks, Curt."

Needless to say, given the history of the Catallo Coupe, I was floored when I read Curt's note. So, my two little "Ram Rod" kits that I've had all these years are finally going home.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...talloItems.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...DeuceCoupe.jpg

Re: The Catallo Coupe: An eBay story
 

Bill,

That is so cool. How amazing that a member of the immediate family was able to get them. Talk about lucky (for them) and good karma (for you).

Thanks for sharing...awesome! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: The Catallo Coupe: An eBay story
 

That's awesome! What a way for things to go! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

I'll have to go to the Peterson to check it out.

Re: The Catallo Coupe: An eBay story
 

Neat story, you never know who you'll bump into when you go online.

Re: The Catallo Coupe: An eBay story
 

And that is one of the best albums of all time !!!

Re: The Catallo Coupe: An eBay story
 

Very cool story Bill! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Here is a pic I took of the car when it was at the Detroit Autorama in 2003 https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/wink.gif

https://www.yenko.net/attachments/189027-deucecoupe.jpg

Re: The Catallo Coupe: An eBay story
 

If you've got one of yourself wearing a poodle skirt,ponytails & bobby sox,then I'm replacing Amy on my desktop!
http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/imag...t_by_Zikes.gif http://www.shoppingtelly.com/forum/i...heerleader.gif

Re: The Catallo Coupe: An eBay story
 

Easy big guy. You'll get yourself all worked up. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif

Re: The Catallo Coupe: An eBay story
 

[ QUOTE ]
If you've got one of yourself wearing a poodle skirt,ponytails & bobby sox,then I'm replacing Amy on my desktop!


[/ QUOTE ]

LMAO!!! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif

I do, but can't find it.

How about one in shorts, ponytail and roller skates? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif --or cat ears, black spandex and boots? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/wink.gif

Re: The Catallo Coupe: An eBay story
 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=92698

check the HAMB i linked this to the site and you gotta see who replied, the guy who actually hellped build and drive the car in high school

Re: The Catallo Coupe: An eBay story
 

[ QUOTE ]

check the HAMB i linked this to the site and you gotta see who replied, the guy who actually hellped build and drive the car in high school

[/ QUOTE ]

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...emlins/eek.gif COOL! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif

Re: The Catallo Coupe: An eBay story
 

I would like to add that magazine to my collection...
What issue and date?

Awesome Story Bill, shall we return to the scene of the chrome? https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/burnout.gif

Re: The Catallo Coupe: An eBay story
 

[ QUOTE ]
If you've got one of yourself wearing a poodle skirt,ponytails & bobby sox,then I'm replacing Amy on my desktop!
http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/imag...t_by_Zikes.gif http://www.shoppingtelly.com/forum/i...heerleader.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Speaking of Amy...John Lipori(Musclecarjohn) asked me to post to post these for you...Click HERE!!!!!

Re: The Catallo Coupe: An eBay story
 

g503: Thanks for posting my story over on HAMB! Neat that one of the original builders posted a reply.

Mosport: The magazine with the Catallo Coupe on the cover is the July '61 Hot Rod.

Rita: Nice to see you posting again and thanks for the great photo of the coupe at the Motorama!

Re: The Catallo Coupe: An eBay story
 

[ QUOTE ]
And that is one of the best albums of all time !!!

[/ QUOTE ]

I was Googling "Clarence Catallo" this afternoon and found an NPR radio clip noting his death. The radio piece noted that when Brian Wilson saw the car on the cover of Hot Rod he sat down and wrote "Little Deuce Coupe." He then made sure the Catallo Coupe made it onto the album cover.

My 5-year old son LOVES "409." I put on the CD, crank it up, and the sound of those pipes rapping-out makes his eyes open wide, just as it did for all of us when we were kids.

Re: The Catallo Coupe: An eBay story
 

Bill,

What a great story....with a perfect ending!! Thanks for sharing https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

Re: The Catallo Coupe: An eBay story
 

[ QUOTE ]
I put on the CD, crank it up,

[/ QUOTE ]

I plug in the old Seeburg juke box and let the 45 rip !

Re: The Catallo Coupe: An eBay story
 

Way cool! When your post title had "ebay story" in it I thought this was another story about a scam, someone getting burned, etc. Nice to hear good stuff for a change https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif

Re: The Catallo Coupe: An eBay story
 

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif