Why the Pontiac Catalina Is Such a Sought-After Collectible
In the late '60s, Pontiac design made a big splash with a variety of models that offered exceptional value. So why can’t we get the Pontiac Catalina out of our head?
Manufactured by General Motors, these American legends stood out among their competitors. Consumers were able to live large without spending an arm and a leg on a
and which models are still coveted by Pontiac collectors today?
Catalina wins big-Pontiac late 60’s sales race
The Pontiac Catalina was produced from 1950 to 1981. At first, the name was used to identify hardtop body styles, but in 1959, the Catalina became its own model known as the “entry-level” full-size Pontiac.
In 1969, the muscle car era was still alive and well, with Pontiac customers willing to pay top dollar. Pontiac’s Firebird, Grand Prix, and GTO caught the eye of the press and led to massive sales. And the company decided to resign their full-size options.
The Pontiac Catalina came in a variety of styles including a four-door hardtop, four-door sedan, two-door hardtop, a convertible, and good old station wagon.
The four-door sedan was the cheapest Catalina you could get your hands on, for $3,090. Its competitor, the Chevrolet Impala pillared non-Sport sedan, was listed at $2,911. However, the Impala had a V6 engine, while the Catalina sported a 400-cubic-inch V8 with 290 hp.
The Pontiacs also had a wheelbase that was 3 inches bigger than the Chevys, coming in at 122 inches. The Catalinas came standard with hard-wearing vinyl upholstery in the convertible and mixed it with fabric trim on its other models. Pontiac used these upgrades to their advantage and marketed the heck out of them.
Consumers had an option to opt for a 265-horse V8 that ran on regular gas, and bigger V8s just kept on coming. According to
, “this was the tail end of the horsepower era, and if it would fit in the engine compartment, it was generally offered—for a price.”
In fact, those with a thirst for speed “could specify a 360-hp 428 with a four-barrel carburetor (which was the standard engine on Bonnevilles) or the top engine, a 390-hp 428 high-output engine with four-barrel carbs,” reports Hagerty. The Catalinas came standard with a three-speed manual shift, with optional Turbo Hydra-Matic.
Dominating the NASCAR and quarter-mile racing scene, Pontiac continued to push the envelope with their powerful, beefed-up vehicles. Its latest obsession was a 421-cubic-inch (6.9-liter) Super Duty engine. Unfortunately, the engine was extremely expensive.
, listed at $2,725.” And as you guessed, most of them didn’t sell.
About 240 of these engines were rumored to be assembled and only 177 were used in Super Duty models. And only a few of these engines were actually used by racing teams in lighter-bodied versions of the Catalina Super Duty.
Because the autos had about 130 holes in their frames to shed some vehicle weight, they were nicknamed the “Swiss Cheese” Catalinas. Other features included bumpers, hoods, and aluminum front fenders.
The Pontiac GTO named America’s first muscle car
One of the most sought-after models is the 1965 Pontiac Catalina GTO Hardtop. According to
, “It was based on the Chevrolet Biscayne that came out in the mid-60s (Biscayne, Chevelle, and Impala).” It’s seen as the most original version, with a V8 engine, black interior equipped with bucket seats, and shiny red paint on the outside.
The 1966 Pontiac Catalina GTO was a sleek, low-slung modern version of the car. It was often compared to the Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray. The model sacrificed neither safety nor comfort with its new aerodynamic design. Still sporting a V8, the model had a black interior and exterior.
Ready for action, the 1967 Pontiac Catalina GTO Convertible featured exciting paint colorsand a larger motor. The grille was more attractive and youthful. The car was even lighter in weight.
Pontiac Catalinas thrived in the ‘70s
MORE:A 1963 Pontiac Tempest Is a Rare Yet Affordable Restoration Car
One of Pontiac’s best-selling models was the 1972 Pontiac Catalina Convertible. The grille and taillights were updated, among other additions that made it stand out from the crowd.
Available as a two-door hardtop, four-door sedan, and four-door hardtop were the Catalina Brougham models. According to
, “The Catalina and Catalina Brougham models were equipped with a Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission, along with power steering and power front disc brakes that many customers had admired.”
You may recall the legendary blue and white pin-striping on the 1972 Firebird Trans Am.
Its 455 four-barrel HO engine made it the ultimate performance and handling machine. New spoilers and an impressive rear-end design attracted young buyers. The models also included side-air extractors and a shaker hood along with a front-air dam.
The last convertible version of the iconic car, the 1977 Pontiac Catalina Convertible was able to be purchased as a two-door. Finally! It received some upscale changes like a revised front-end design, new taillights, and an interior makeover. Only around 4,000 were made, making this one of the American auto company’s rarest models.
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