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.
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.
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 |
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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