The 1965 Pontiac Catalina is arguably one of the best "big" Pontiacs of the decade. A former GM stylist once said the new design was "one full styling wave" ahead of other Detroit offerings that year. The freshly designed Catalina hardtop acquired a full fastback roofline, front-end styling had more character than the rather flat 1964 face, and sharply defined lower-body sculpturing added a more rakish stance to it's profile.

Sport seekers were also pleased with Pontiacs new package called the "2 + 2" option for its full-size Catalina two-door hardtop and convertible. Due to a GM policy that prohibited engines over 400 cid in intermediates, the GTO had to make do with the division's 389-cid V-8, while Catalina could be optioned with Pontiac's 421-cid monster motor.

For $418.54 you could add the 2 + 2 option which included the big engine with a four-barrel carb, plus heavy-duty three-speed gearbox with floor-mounted Hurst shifter, 3.42:1 rear axle ratio, heavy-duty springs and shocks, and some additional interior appointments. Also optional was a Tri-Power engine with 370 bhp, as well as four-speed manual and Safe-T-Track limited-slip differential. So equipped, a 2 + 2 was reportedly good for a mid-15-second standing quarter-mile. For 1965, the top-rated 421 was listed at 376 bhp.

Unfortunately the 2 + 2 did not enjoy the GTO's sales success and Pontiac phased out the 2 + 2 option after 1967.

1965 Pontiac Catalina Production

• 271,058 Catalinas were built
• 14,817 had Synchromesh
• 256,241 had Hydra-Matic
• 11,521 had W51 Catalina 2 + 2 option (body style breakouts are not available)
• 5,316 Catalina 2 + 2 had synchromesh
• 6,205 Catalina 2 + 2 had Hydra-Matic
• There is no record of the amount of Ventura options sold.

Chassis Data

VIN Decoding

Serial Numbers were on the left front hinge pillar. Fisher body on cowl tells style number, body number, trim code, paint code, and other data.

First Symbol - Manufacturer 2 = Pontiac Second & Third Symbol - Series 33 = Standard Tempest 54 = 2 + 2 35 = Custom Tempest 56 = Star Chief 37 = LeMans 62 = Bonneville 39 = Safari Station Wagon w/ wood grain 66 = Grand Prix 52 = Catalina & Ventura   Fourth & Fifth Symbol - Body Style 11 = two-door sedan 45 = station wagon three seat 27 = two-door sedan 57 = two-door hardtop 35 = station wagon two seat 67 = convertible 37 = two-door hardtop 69 = four-door sedan 39 = four-door hardtop 87 = two-door hardtop Sixth Symbol - Last Digit Of The Model Year 5 = 1965 Seventh Symbol - Assembly Plant (B) Baltimore, Maryland (P) Pontiac, Michigan (C) Southgate, California (R) Arlington, Texas (D) Doraville, Georgia (U) Lordstown, Ohio (E) Linden, New Jersey (V) Bloomfield, Illinios (G) Framingham, Massachusetts (X) Kansas City, Kansas (K) Kansas City, Missouri (Z) Fremont, California Last Six Symbols - Production Sequence Started at 100001

Engine Options

Paint Codes - Exterior Colors

Color Name / Code Color Image Color Name / Code Color Image A - Starlight Black Lucite® Code - 88 Dulux® Code - 93-005 N - Burgundy Red Lucite® Code - 4624LH Dulux® Code - 181-97213M B - Blue Charcoal Lucite® Code - 4622L Dulux® Code - 181-97211 P - Iris Mist Lucite® Code - 4632L Dulux® Code - 181-97221 C - Ermine White Lucite® Code - 4024L Dulux® Code - 93-93774 R - Montero Red Lucite® Code - 4625LH Dulux® Code - 93-97540H D - Fontaine Blue Lucite® Code - 4630L Dulux® Code - 181-972219 T - Capri Gold Lucite® Code - 4627L Dulux® Code - 181-97216 E - Nightwatch Blue Lucite® Code - 4631L Dulux® Code - 181-97220 V - Mission Beige Lucite® Code - 4401L Dulux® Code - 93-96261 H - Palmetto Green Lucite® Code - 4633L Dulux® Code - 181-97223 W - Bluemist Slate Lucite® Code - 4623L Dulux® Code - 181-97212 K - Reef Turquoise Lucite® Code - 4628L Dulux® Code - 181-97217 Y - Mayfair Maize Lucite® Code - 4620L Dulux® Code - 93-96908 L - Teal Turquoise Lucite® Code - 4629L Dulux® Code - 181-97218   NOTES: The first letter of a two-letter paint code identifies the body color. The second letter identifies the roof color. (For example, the combination VC on a Pontiac would indicate the body finished in Mission Beige and the roof area in Cameo Ivory.) General Motors paint code plate for all models except Corvair and Corvette is located under the hood at the top of the firewall on the left or right of the upper shroud. Corvair paint code plate is on the left rear wheel housing. Corvette paint code plate is under the dash, below the glove compartment.

Paint Codes - Interior Colors

Color Name / Code Color Image Color Name / Code Color Image Parchment Lucite® Code - 9000L (semi-gloss) Dark Turquoise Lucite® Code - 9176LM (semi-gloss) Lucite® Code - 9197LH (flat) Medium Fawn Lucite® Code - 9171LH (semi-gloss) Medium Blue Lucite® Code - 4630L (semi-gloss) Dark Fawn Lucite® Code - 9224LH (semi-gloss) Lucite® Code - 9198LH (flat) Dark Blue Lucite® Code - 9172LH (semi-gloss) Lucite® Code - 9194LH (flat) Gunmetal Lucite® Code - 4622L(semi-gloss) Lucite® Code - 9191LH (flat) Red Lucite® Code - 9183LM (semi-gloss) Medium Green Lucite® Code - 4633L (semi-gloss) Dark Red Lucite® Code - 9181LM (semi-gloss) Lucite® Code - 9201LM (flat) Dark Green Lucite® Code - 9225LH (flat) Black Lucite® Code - 88 (semi-gloss) Lucite® Code - 4428L (flat) Medium Turquoise Lucite® Code - 4628L (semi-gloss)   NOTE: Unpolished LUCITE® will generally produce a gloss comparable to original interior semi-gloss finishes. If lower gloss is required, use2 oz. DuPont #4528 flattening compound to a pint of unreduced color. Trunk Colors (spatter finish) Turquoise = 389-256