1965 Pontiac Catalina
The 1965 Pontiac Catalina is arguably one of the best "big" Pontiacs of the decade.

1965 Pontiac Catalina

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

Model Number Body/Style Number Body Type & Seating Factory Price Shipping Weight Total Production
Catalina Series 252
252 69 4d Sedan - 6P $2,748 3,772 lbs 78,853
252 39 4d Hardtop - 6P $2,885 3,843 lbs 34,814
252 11 2d Sedan - 6P $2,678 3,702 lbs 9,526
252 37 2d Hardtop - 6P $2,809 3,748 lbs 92,009
252 67 2d Convertible - 5P $3,103 3,795 lbs 18,347
252 45 4d Station Wagon - 9P $3,241 4,244 lbs 15,110
252 35 4d Station Wagon - 6P $3,136 4,211 lbs 23,399
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

Model Wheelbase Overall Length Front Tread Rear Tread Tires
Catalina 121 in 214.6 in 62.5 in 64 in 8.25 x 14
Catalina Station Wagon 121 in 217.9 in 62.5 in 64 in 8.25 x 14

Engine Options

 eng. hp  disp. carb   Bonneville  Star Chief  Grand Prix  Catalina  Tempest
 6 140   215 2-bbl  n.a. n.a.  n.a.  n.a.   std.
 V-8 250  326  2-bbl  n.a.  n.a.  n.a.  n.a.  $108 
 V-8 285  326  4-bbl  n.a.  n.a.  n.a.  n.a.  $173 
 V-8 335 389-GTO   4-bbl n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. $296
 V-8 360  389  3 2-bbl  n.a. n.a. n.a.  n.a.  $116 on GTO
 V-8 256 (economy V-8 available on all Pontiacs w/Turbo Hydra-matic) 389  2-bbl  n.a. std.  n.a.  std.  n.a.
 V-8 290   389  2-bbl  n.a.  std. H-M n.a.  std. H-M  n.a.
 V-8 325   389  4-bbl  std. H-M  $35  std. H-M  $35  n.a.
 V-8 333   389  4-bbl  std.  $45  std.  $45  n.a.
 V-8 338  389  3 2-bbl  $133  $178  $133  $178  n.a.
 V-8 338   421  4-bbl.  $138  $174  $108  $174  n.a.
 V-8  V-8 356  376 421  421HO 3 2-bbl   $272  $376  $307  $410  $241  $344  $307  $410  n.a.

 

   
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