FORGOTTEN Pontiac Catalina - Will It RUN AND DRIVE 150 Miles Home? 

Thanks for keeping the will it run alive on your channel.

VGG was my motivation 5 years ago to tackle the revival of my pontiac grandville. When I got it it had not ran for 22 years. I used all of the methods that I saw watching VGG. I've learned a ton from watching and would have never attempted anything had it not been for VGG. THANK YOU Derrick for the outstanding information and entertainment that you provide.

Discovered yesterday... this is simply the most compelling car channel on earth. Never have I ever learned more about sparkilators, fuel-make-happeners and digical things in such a short time. Just genius.

I could watch these “will it run and drive 600 miles” episodes every week if my life! Keep up the great work Derek, you are a national treasure

Maybe it’s because I’ve never tried to do it, but Derek’s ability to throw a car battery like a baseball is very impressive!

I found this channel on my son's watch list. I watched this and it brought back memories of my son and his love for anything with a motor. He passed 6 months ago :( I have his truck in my garage and its waiting to be reborn. 2006 Chevy he bought to rebuild. One day I hope to get the truck fixed up for him.

My first car was a white w/white vinyl top 1973 Pontiac Catalina! It had a 400 with a 2 bbl carb. Great car! Unfortunately I live in Michigan so she was pretty rusty when I got her in 1980. Great job on this revival and thanks for the memories!

Old Derek is so laid back and down to earth...started on the old tube and got so big he got motortrend...he's made it and yet he still pumps out the old RU-vid for us....my favorite channel hands down....I don't know anyone that loves cars that doesn't know about a guy that does the thing....I've never met the man in person but he makes me (all of us) feel like we've been friends for years.....thanks buddy

new favorite line "this thing might be more hopped up than a bunny farm." Derek, you're truly a national treasure, please never change, this world needs yah.

I’ve watched this video a couple of times and I can’t tell you how much I enjoy your enthusiasm for forgetting these cars back on the road. Thank you.

A feller is getting spoiled on these Friday VGG vids. Thank Ya. 🍺

“Your project won’t work if you don’t.” Now that’s an awesome message!

Even with a bum hoof a guy is still out there showing us how it is done. I've got a lot of respect for ya feller, Thank you for the good times, and giving us the inspiration to get out in the shop.

Learning, laughing and completely enjoying the resurrection of the Catalina. Hence why your channel has over 1.5 million subscribers and this video has over 1.6 million views one month after it was posted. LOVE your channel Derek!

You have no idea how many people have joy in watching your channel. I had a 1970 Pontiac Catalina. 400 with no exhaust and sold it that way Now wishing I had it stored somewhere. Thanks for the memories

There's a trick that some GM Mechanics taught me back in the 70's for changing the sparkilators on the A/C compressor side of GM vehicles. Jack that side of the car up via the frame until the tire is just barely touching the ground, then use a long extension (36 to 48" long) and a wobble socket to go over the top of the tire, above the upper control arm, thru the black rubber splash pad to get to the sparkilators. Works like a charm. My old boss at Goodyear couldn't figure out why I put an Impala on the lift todo a tune up until he saw me change the plugs that way. The old guy about pooped his pants when I changed the plugs in about 5 minutes on that side.

I think it being a wine mixer edition is actually accurate. Wine is probably what caused that front end, after all.

I’ve been watching your channel a lot but this one has to be one of my favorites, my grandad had a Pontiac Cadillac dealership when I was just out of diapers. My whole family had Pontiacs from the family station wagon to moms LeMans, big brothers GTO big sisters Catalina and my restored 64 Tempest convirtable! Thank you Derek for refreshing all those sweet memories! Please stay safe and always be awesome 😎

Long time subscriber here, but I've been a way for awhile. I am not surprised that you are still cranking out superb content. Thanks for blowing my mind with your wrenching skills...yet again. More importantly, thanks for making me smile when I don't feel like it.

I love the way the fire extinguisher is leaning against the fuel jug. That way when it bursts into flames, the extinguisher will over heat and when the safety disk bursts, the contents will automatically discharge. Meanwhile, you can be running like Hell the other way. PERFECT!

Thanks to VGG, Derek and his family for the endless hours of fun, family entertainment, not to mention how good of a mechanic he is... his humor is the absolute best!

What a treat to watch you bring this Catalina back to life, Derek! Then your expressing what it's like to enjoy our land via back roads & small towns really makes a guy enjoy your videos more than any other gearhead channel!

My boyfriend and I love watching you bring all of those cars back to life. And... you crack us up, you are so darn funny 😅

Derek, you’re a natural inspiration. At one point I started to think I liked newer cars but man old classics just spark a fire inside me. I don’t have a garage or wrenches but one day I’ll revive at least one dying car, thanks to you, mate.

What a gorgeous car. Thank you for bringing this rig back to life and taking us with you

Thank you Derek and family for the entertainment! You’ve got my wife watching now too! Now we’re trying to save on an old Road Runner!

These motors have a character all of their own, and you know that Derek. Although I am envious that you have discovered such a wonderful motor to release into a new life of enjoyment that I will not unfortunately be a part of, I am at least thankful Derek that you have rescued this wonderful motor from becoming nothing other than parts/scrap. This is just the sort of base project that can return to become something more than it originally ever was, bringing so much joy and fun to a new owner. Thank you Derek for your passion and dedication. It is refreshing indeed to find someone who can see far beyond the surface look of each motor you find.

Been around since original garage days man, learnt tons from you..your an inspiration to us all Derek thanks for all you do brother LETS GOOO famous guy left a reply! Lol

Can’t express enough how much I love these revivals if not even for the content just the fact these cars are being brought back to a running condition and saved and sent on to the next to continue its life and pulled from their potential grave! Thank you Derek

I started watching your channel about 3 weeks ago and I've watched a bunch of your old videos. I love watching you get these old cars up and running again. I remember many days tearing down old cars so my dad could build a roll cage and turn it into a street stock dirt track race car. Love that you allow your kids to get in there and get their hands dirty. If I had it my way I'd love to just tinker on old cars but of course as we all know bills don't stop 😋. Keep up the great videos, I'll be watching all your content. Oh yeah another thing is I love the Red Green Show and you remind me sooooooo much of that show. Your personality is one of the reasons I enjoy about your content.

Beautiful ride, that quick wash made a big difference. Love how you bringing all rides back to life. I was giving a 84 Volkswagen Rabbit 2 door convertible by another Army Veteran. Don’t know anything about that car but I need to bring her back to life.

“More hopped up than a bunny farm” absolutely killed me! 🤣 Derek is such a gem!

She came back to life with each passing mile down the road. I think she likes you Derick. Thank you, your videos are always a pleasure to watch my friend.

Another great Video from VGG. Thanks Derrick for sharing this oldie but goodie Pontiac with us!

You literally inspired me to start my own project here in Australia 😂, for YEARS ( a good 25? Maybe ) I've been driving past a farm that has a few cars parked in a row, few looked abit worse for wear, others where okish and some had just become a pile of rot, after watching one of you're revival videos I thought bugger it I'm going to pull in and see what that's all about one day, about a week later I saw the old fella out on his tractor so hit the skids and pulled in and waved him down, got to chattin with him ( decent old fella that liked to have abit of a chin wag ) and we shuffled over to the abandoned car lot, I had my "peepers" as you call it 😂 on 1 car, a 72' Holden HQ Statesman De Ville, I asked if he'd be interested in parting with it and he said sure chuck him an offer, I said $2000 and he came back and said "if you can get it gone today you can have it for $1000, so raced home, grabbed a mates tilt tray and some cash and went back, he was waiting there ( had slashed the grass around it for me ) and we got to talking again while loading up ( I hadn't even looked in the car yet just a quick look on the outside, very very minimal rust which had me interested) he said it used to belong to his son, his resin had blown up the original V8 that was in it ( think it was a 308, could or been a 350 ) and had put in a new motor an trans but then became sick and sadly passed away, chat for a good 40min more and got it home where ( under your instructions) checked out the boot first, and shit.... a set of heads.. aa fuel mixer... a charger whirly and a metric ton of wiring and gaskets 😑... thought to myself ok so what's the engine bay look like and what did he put in this HQ when he blew the original motor, popped the bonnet to find a brand spanking new 454ci crate motor that had never been run 😮 found paperwork in the glove box for it, and now I'm slowly restoring it while keeping the old fella up to date with what the progress is, so thankyou for bringing us these revival videos mate, your inspiration has led me down a path I would have never gone down and now glad I did 🤙💙🇦🇺

Your videos are absolute inspirational. It's been a dream of mine to be able to restore vehicles and flip them, seeing your videos give me the motivation to keep that dream alive! Given my situations in life that keep me from making that dream turn into reality, Your videos are very wholesome to be able to watch. You are doing more of an amazing job keeping these vehicles alive, being able to give younger folks an opportunity to work on the prime years of vehicles. You definitely have the best youtube channel out there where a feller gets to enjoy restoration cars. Keep up the amazing work, wish you and your family the best!!

Watching your channel grow from thousands to millions of subscribers has been a once in a lifetime experience and if anyone deserves that success it’s you Derek. I have learned an invaluable amount from just watching your videos, and I always have a great time watching you make videos. Thank you for doing what you do best.

My day is always a little bit better every time VG posts a new video. Thanks, Derek and fam.

A little tip when trying to prime those fuel systems, try a hand brake bleeder from Harbor Freight. Works like a charm. I have used it many times.

You're like the dad i lost 2 years ago, thank you for making me laugh no matter what situation im in❤ keep the will it runs coming!

I live in the UK and have always loved old American Muscle cars, watching VGG just makes me love them even more especially because I doubt I'll ever actually own one. I'm so glad you go out of your way to keep such a unique era of cars alive and running.

Watching this video was like taking a trip down memory lane. Great job!

The interior of that thing is in great shape for what it is and where it’s been. I’m quite impressed! Great find!

Thanks for keeping it clean. Its nice that i can watch your show around my kids. Love it.

As a big classic Pontiac fan, I love seeing this one on the road again! She's a sweet car that just needs a little love. Glad it's going to a new home!

As a true blue Pontiac feller this is right up there as one of my favourite revivals. It's definitely great to see you save this beauty from years of neglect!

Really enjoying the "FORGOTTEN" series videos. Looking forward to your next barn find or buried restoration project!

Always a great time with your videos Derek Thank you for taking us along 👍

“If the radio of come on, I would have opened the door and bailed…” I laughed out loud and not for the first time in this video. While I love you getting these cars running and back on the road, I really enjoy your sense of humour that adds so much to your videos. Thanks for keeping us entertained, Derek.

I absolutelymlove these revival/rescue episodes! The funniest part is that a guy has a ramp truck and could easily avoid all of the time constraints and risks of driving a janky old rig, but still does it old school just for us to enjoy.

That car bears a resemblance to my parents' 1972 Pontiac Bonneville, 2 door, black on black with a 455 engine. Got about ten miles to the gallon and ran smoothly, like a tank. Enjoy that vintage cruiser !!

I really enjoy watching you raise these old beauty's from the dead. It reminds me of troubleshooting in my Automotive School in 1963. With Spark, Fuel, Air, you were good to go back then, no Computers!!!

I particularly liked this rescue. Cool old Catalina. Whomsoever got it is fortunate.

I’ll be dipped, a will it run and drive episode. A guy is super excited. This definitely looks like a going to town rig.

Stumbled across the Turbo Buick - watched the whole thing last night - now I am in the middle of the Catalina - and subscribed - never watched anything longer than 10 minutes on youtube before - OMG what a character (and mechanic!) "....Eye of the storm...." - Look forward to more, thanks

Man love this channel been watching for a few years and will forever be greatful a guy stumbled upon it

A guy can’t think of a better way to start off the weekend with a VGG video. Keep ‘em coming!

I was SO happy that you did a couple more episodes of going back to your roots with “Will It Run” that I’m re-watching a bunch of old ones and leaving likes on any that I forgot to before. I totally get why you like the racing episodes, but this is really what it’s all about for me. AND it’s a PONTIAC!!! YES!!!

Brother I’ve been sitting here for over a week not feeling good watching your contacts and I finally got off my ass and went out and worked on my Camaro and my truck I love what you do what you say and how you do it God bless you and your family

Thanks for showing the old boat known as the Pontiac Catalina. I bought one for $700 back in 94 from a mechanic in Plymouth when I lived in Michigan. It had a bit of rust, and the back bumper dropped off when driving snowy back roads. I got a fix it ticket and replaced it with some nailed together 2x6's

I'm always amazed at what a set of wheels and tires will do for pretty much any rig. Great video. Someone obviously loved this rig alot at one time. Thanks for sharing. Take care.

Your sense of humor and down to earth personality make for a great show. Thanks for rescuing those old muscle cars!

Just started watching this video and your channel for the first time. I’ve always liked 1973 Pontiacs / Catalinas. I once owned a used 1973 Pontiac Grand Am coupe. The 1973 cars incorporated the 5 MPH “ cow catcher” front bumper system ( 1973 Chevy Malibu with bumper guards and strips waz the WORST offender, in my humble opinion. ) Well anyways, hope the recovery of this fine car goes as well as can be expected. The trunk waz full of “ surprises “, as expected. Will resume watching & THANK YOU for posting this. CB

Great looking car there! Haven't seen one at all. Looked great when cleaned up. The roof even looked good in that rusty copper colour. Would look great in a gloss copper. Thanks for posting.

Congratulations on another successful rescue trip Derek, wonderful to see that old girl coming back to life. Really didn't believe how sweet it would look after just a little soap and water. Lucky owner.

This video made my Friday. Always love watching revivals. It's what got me into your channel and I love everything you do. The revivals just tickle me a certain way

I’m a Brit, but love what you do, sort of making light of what confronts you. Marvellous.

Love this channel ..I'm back after a hyadis from VGG and it's funny as ever !! Dude is a natural..And a excellent mechanic !! Thanks for the shows..

This is classic VGG... This is what made the channel what it is...❤

Nothing better on a Saturday morning than an hour long VVG video ❤

This video sure stirred up some fond memories. A 72 Catalina was my grandfather's last car. It went to my father and was our family car for many years. One of the first cars I ever worked on and still a personal favorite. Between the three of us ours had over 400,000 miles on it before frame rot turned it onto a demolition derby car. Having computer problems as my number one car issue in recent years, I long more and more for a car like this that could be fixed with a good ear and a few tappy tap taps. ps: Sure sounds like a cam. If memory servers the stock 400 ran very smooth with no thump / lope. Thanks for the memories.

i enjoy watching you videos glad you could be able to work on old cars and bring them back to alive thanks for keeping the will it run alive on your channel keep it up

Derek, your sense of humor has me in stiches every time! just love your recovery episodes, just keep watching them over and over and always find something new!! As an Australian fellow enthusiast, I find your channel just one of the best mate, truly awesome! Heck, I accidently found myself calling an alternator a chargerwhiller the other day!!! got a strange look from one of my friends!

Holy shit, finally a catalina!!! My first car back in highschool was a 79 catalina and i miss is dearly. I been looking for another one for about 20 years that i can afford or trade for. Alot of good stories in that car and alot of fun. I literally dropped everything i was doing when i saw this. Thank you so much for posting a vid with a catalina. Derick, you really are my favorite youtuber. I didnt expect this today. Thanks for bringing back allthe good memories i had with my car. One day i will have another one and never get rid of it this time.

love the cars and love the humor on your channel! Thanks for the hard work!

I love Derick so much been getting caught up on all the old videos.

73 Catalina- this was my first car when I turned 16! Wish I kept it, it was so strong and such a great runner. What a trip down memory lane and thanks so much for rescuing this baby Derek!

Just makes my Friday night. Having a cold snack and watching Derek bring a car back to life. Realize how much work and time goes into making these episodes and can't thank you enough.

Top show as usual. What an absolutely great bloke Derek is also. I can tell he is a genuinely nice guy. And a natural comedian if you ask me. Hats off to you big guy.

Urr such an inspiration to those of us with classics just sitting here with petty reasons for not being on the road. I have a 74 Pontiac Ventura (u told me.once to contact u)...I plan on getting done for at least my 12 year old son or daughter. I'll never sell it because I know what it's worth done right. Ur videos give it hope! Keep em.coming.

Love these revivals. Makes you realize how much more character the old body styles had. Thanks for taking the time out of your busy life to bring us such great content every week.

I haven't seen one of these in decades, my grandpa was a full blow Pontiac man and i remember he had a green one just like that. Takes me back to being a little feller and going fishing and riding around with him in it. He used to let me steer when we got on the back roads. Thanks for this one Derek.. ❤

Love and appericate the pontiac rescues. Keep the excitement going. I have had a few cars and trucks i bought with fuel issus. Sometimes all it took was an air blower through the lines to clean it out

I absolutely love the will it run series I've watched sooooo many of them I hope you continue to post more, I know you an the fam are super busy with VGL right now

This is the format that put you on the backroad to success. Keep these up.

Loved this. I can never get enough of the Poncho rescues. These 70’s Pontiacs are overlooked but are true gems. I love my massive 77 GP. It’s a sporty boat. Nice save!

Excellent video One of the best to view. I live west of Cleveland Went south to Cincinnati April 2017 Drove back my aqua 1966 Catalina sedan Drove I-71 north the whole way back Fuel stop/ top off coolant... These auto excursions area gamble, but Exciting the whole trip home! CB

First (family car) I started with in 72’ was a 400v8 68 Catalina 2 door fast back. Took off the fender skirts and added a pair of Jensen Triax 2s to the rear deck. A cherry bomb muffler and a set of high jacker air shocks to give it a better profile. It Had a polyester front bench seat, so when things were getting off to slow start on a second date, I’d simply take a hard right turn and she’d slide right on over 😂. That thing had so much understeer you could also pick up a dime off the pavement during those hard right turns!

I love watching you get these old cars going! Good job Derek 👍🏿

My grandpa had a Catalina, brings back a lot of memories riding around with him

I love this car!! Thanks for all your hard work Derek! 34 years wrenching - Ann Arbor, Mi. If your ever in town my shop is your shop.

I'd love to buy this car.. my grandfather and grandmother had one just like this when I was a kid. My uncle junked it years later without trying to fix it. Seeing this revival brought back memories of riding in the back seat with my grandpa driving. Thanks so much for what you do, Derek.

This is such great entertainment - I forget all my troubles when watching Derek at work. Informative too. In this episode, there are lots of laugh out loud moments, BUT I must mention the one at 1:01:34 to 1:01:54 - 'Eye of the Storm.' Absolute gold!

When I watch these videos I gain confidence to do things with my car and your so knowledgeable love these vgg

This is great father /son material to watch . Me and my teenage boy love your work

Hey Derek, I just want to acknowledge the transition at 38:20. Stepping out of shot and then appearing from behind the car. ✋🏼😌👌🏼 Love it!

Awesome car brother keeping the old school Pontiac running is a great thing not to many around anymore

Thanks for the call out to Body by Fisher! My dad worked there when the body for this car was built.

Always amazes me how Derek can take an automotive corpse and raise it from the dead. His "hope springs eternal" mindset has all of us rooting him on and make it home. The man definitely loves a challenge!

Still my all time favorite Channel on RU-vid. A few month's ago a feller also found you on motortrend. You already know of course watch all those shows at home while enjoying some cold snacks. I tip my hat to you it blows my mind after seeing just how many shows you were on even with all of that. As busy as you are you have kept this Channel alive. I know I speak for at the very least my buddies and I well we appreciate it.