The successful LeMans saw relatively little change for 1966
1966 Pontiac Catalina
For 1966, the Catalinas changes were very subtle. They had new plastic grilles and headlight extension caps to give a more integrated look. Also the Catalina 2+2 model became its series. They were distinguished from other Catalinas by twin tail lens taillights, "2+2" badges on the deck lid and rear fenders, vertical air slots behind the doors, and "Pontiac 421" front fender emblems.
1966 Pontiac Catalina Specifications and Production
Model Number
Body/Style Number
Body Type & Seating
Factory Price
Shipping Weight
Total Production
Catalina Series 252
252
69
4d Sedan - 6P
$2,831
3,785 lbs
80,483
252
39
4d Hardtop - 6P
$2,968
3,910 lbs
38,005
252
11
2d Sedan - 6P
$2,762
3,715 lbs
7,925
252
37
2d Hardtop - 6P
$2,893
3,835 lbs
79,013
252
67
2d Convertible - 5P
$3,219
3,860 lbs
14,837
252
45
4d Station Wagon - 9P
$3,38?
4,315 lbs
12,965
252
35
4d Station Wagon - 6P
$3,217
4,250 lbs
21,082
Catalina 2+2 Series 254
254
37
2d Hardtop - 5P
$3,298
4,005 lbs
6,382 Total
254
67
2d Convertible - 5P
$3,602
4,030 lbs
Notes:
247,927 Catalinas were built
5,003 had Synchromesh and 242,924 had Hydra-Matic
6,382 2+2s were built
2,208 had Synchromesh and 4,175 had Hydra-Matic (Catalina 2+2)
Model Series Identification
25269 - 4d Sedan - 6P
25245 - 4d Station Wagon - 9P
25239 - 4d Hardtop - 6P
25235 - 4d Station Wagon - 6P
25211 - 2d Sedan - 6P
25437 - 2d Hardtop - 5P
25237 - 2d Hardtop - 6P
25467 - 2d Convertible - 5P
25267 - 2d Convertible - 5P
Chassis Data
Model
Wheelbase
Overall Length
Width
Front Tread
Rear Tread
Tires
Catalina
121 in
214.8 in
79.7 in
63 in
64 in
8.25 x 14
2+2
121 in
214.8 in
79.7 in
63 in
64 in
8.25 x 14
Catalina Station Wagon
121 in
218.1 in
79.7 in
63 in
64 in
8.55 x 14
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 & Station Wagon w/o wood grain
52 = Catalina & Ventura
35 = Custom Tempest & Station Wagon w/o wood grain
54 = 2 + 2
37 = LeMans
56 = Star Chief
39 = Safari Station Wagon w/ wood grain
62 = Bonneville
52 = Catalina & Ventura
66 = Grand Prix
Fourth & Fifth Symbol - Body Style
07 = two-door sedan
45 = station wagon three seat
11 = two-door sedan
57 = two-door hardtop
17 = two-door hardtop
67 = convertible
35 = station wagon two seat
69 = four-door sedan
37 = two-door hardtop
87 = two-door hardtop
39 = four-door hardtop
Sixth Symbol - Last Digit Of The Model Year
6 = 1966
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
1966 Pontiac Options
Description
Description
Brougham Option (Bonneville 26239)
Tilt Steering Wheel
Bucket Seats (Bonneville 26237, 26267)
Heavy-Duty Clutch (Catalina)
Console
Safe-T-Track Differential
Remote Control Deck Lid
Dual Exhaust
Electro-Cruise & Fuel Warning
389-cid w/ 4-Barrel & Heavy-Duty Clutch
Tinted Glass
389-cid/338-hp Tri-Power
Tinted Windshield
421-cid/338-hp 4-Barrel
Instrument Gauge Cluster
421-cid/356-hp Tri-Power
Luggage Carrier (Safari)
421-cid/376-hp Tri-Power H.O.
Glare Proof Tilt Mirror
389-cid w/ 2-Barrel
Remote Control Rearview Mirror
Transistor Ignition
Power Brakes
Transistorized Regulator
Power Door Locks
Sports Option 2+2 Package (Catalina 25237, 25267)
Six-Way Power Seat
White Sidewall Tires
Power Windows
Tachometer
Power Steering
Cordova Top
Power Tilt Bucket Seat (driver's side)
Air Conditioning
AM/FM Manual Radio
Cordova Top (Safari)
Push-Button AM Radio
Ventura Trim Package (Catalina 25237, 25239, 25269)
Manual AM Radio
Wire Wheel Discs
Split Back Seat (Safari)
Aluminum Hubs & Drums
Front Bucket Seats (Catalina 2537, 2567)
3-Speed Manual Transmission
Super-Lift Shock Absorbers
Turbo Hydra-Matic Transmission
Heavy Duty Suspension
4-Speed Manual Transmission
1966 Pontiac Engine Data
Location Of Engine Code: (Six-Cyl) - On cylinder head-to-block contact surface behind oil filter pipe. (V8) - Stamped on right front side of block or beneath production engine number on machined pad on right hand bank of engine block.
Letter Code
Engine
Horsepower
Torque
Transmission
Carburetor
WA
8-389
256
388
Manual
2 BC
WB
8-389
256
388
Manual
2 BC
WC
8-389
290
418
Manual
2 BC
WE
8-389
333
429
Manual
4 BC
WG
8-421
338
459
Manual
4 BC
WH
8-421
356
459
Manual
3 - 2 BC
WJ
8-421
376
461
Manual
3 - 2 BC
WK
8-421
338
459
Manual
4 BC
XA
8-389
260
388
Manual
2 BC
XB
8-389
260
388
Turbo Hydra-Matic
2 BC
XC
8-389
293
418
Turbo Hydra-Matic
2 BC
YA
8-389
256
388
Turbo Hydra-Matic
2 BC
YC
8-389
290
418
Turbo Hydra-Matic
2 BC
YD
8-389
290
418
Turbo Hydra-Matic
2 BC
YE
8-389
325
429
Turbo Hydra-Matic
4 BC
YF
8-421
338
459
Turbo Hydra-Matic
4 BC
YH
8-421
338
459
Turbo Hydra-Matic
4 BC
YJ
8-421
356
459
Turbo Hydra-Matic
3 - 2 BC
YK
8-421
376
461
Turbo Hydra-Matic
3 - 2 BC
YL
8-389
333
429
Turbo Hydra-Matic
4 BC
YM
8-421
375
461
Turbo Hydra-Matic
3 - 2 BC
YT
8-421
338
459
Turbo Hydra-Matic
4 BC
YU
8-389
290
418
Turbo Hydra-Matic
2 BC
YV
8-389
290
418
Turbo Hydra-Matic
2 BC
YW
8-389
325
429
Turbo Hydra-Matic
4 BC
YX
8-389
325
429
Turbo Hydra-Matic
4 BC
YZ
8-421
338
459
Turbo Hydra-Matic
4 BC
Transmission Codes
Transmission
Location
Turbo Hydra-Matic 350
Stamped on servo cover on right side of transmission.
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
On metal tag fastened to right side of transmission case or on the left side of converter housing.
Powerglide
Stamped on a metal tag located on the right side of the transmission.
Super Turbine 300 (TempesTorque)
On metal tag fastened to right side of transmission case or stamped on lower servo cover.
Jetway
On metal tag fastened to right side of transmission case or stamped on lower servo cover.
3-Speed
Painted or stamped on the transmission case.
4-Speed
Painted or stamped on the transmission case.
Plant and Type Designation Prefix
Transmission Type
LA
TempesTorque
LB
TempesTorque
MA
TempesTorque
MB
TempesTorque
MC
TempesTorque
NA
TempesTorque
PA
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
PB
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
PC
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
PD
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
PG
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
PH
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
PQ
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
Axle Codes
Location Of Axle Codes: On flange end of axle shaft and on or near carrier.
Color - Non-Locking
Color - Locking
Ratio
UB
VB
2.41
UC
VC
2.56
UD
VD
2.73
UE
VE
2.93
UF
VF
3.08
UG
VG
3.23
UH
VH
3.42
UJ
VJ
3.55
UK
VK
3.73
UM
VM
4.11
Paint Codes - Exterior Colors
Color Name / Code
Color Image
Color Name / Code
Color Image
A - Starlight Black
Lucite® Code - 88L
Dulux® Code - 93-005
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 cross-rail in the engine compartment. Corvette paint code plate is on the instrument panel brace, below the glove compartment.
Paint Codes - Interior Colors
Color Name / Code
Color Image
Color Name / Code
Color Image
Parchment
Lucite® Code - 9000L (semi-gloss)
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, use 2 oz. DuPont #4528S flattening compound to a pint of unreduced color.
Note: Information, Specifications, Resources & Photos found in the Research Library should only be used as general guidelines. OldRide LLC makes no warranty as to the authenticity and accuracy of the information contained hereon.