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Pontiac Executive

Pontiac Executive
The Pontiac Executive was produced from 1967 through 1970 with its strongest year of sales occurring in 1967, with 35,491 units produced. The Executive replaced Pontiac's mid-range Star Chief, with the Star Chief Executive name being used for one year (1966) before the series became known as just 'Executive' in 1967.

Pontiac's base model was the Catalina. Above that was the Executive, fitted with deluxe trim and additional standard amenities, and riding on a longer wheelbase and having a longer length. Under the bonnet, the Executive and Catalina were similar. Both had the same standard and optional V8 engines. The base unit was a 400 cubic-inch V8 with a two-barrel carburetor and offering 265 horsepower. The standard gearbox was a three-speed manual with a floor-mounted four-speed with Hurst shifter optional in 1967 and 1968. Most buyers purchased the Executive with the optional three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic.
By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2008Produced by the Pontiac Motor Division of GM, the Pontiac Executive was introduced from 1967 through 1970. Replacing Pontiac's long-running mid-range Star Chief, the Executive was dubbed Star Chief Executive for 1966 only, before the model simply became the 'Executive' in 1967. The Star Chief/Executive was a low-priced trim level for the full-size Pontiac line. Though not as luxurious as the top-line Bonneville, the Executive did share the Bonneville's wheelbase and other dimensions. The Executive showcased deluxe trim, a longer wheelbase and overall length than the lower-priced Catalina models, and much more standard amenities.

The mechanical components were virtually on par with the Catalina, as they shared similar standard and optional V8 engines. The base 400 in³ V8 with a two-barrel carburetor was rated at 265 hp and ended with a 390 hp 428 in³ HO V8 until 1969. In 1970 a larger 455 in³ V8 was introduced and was rated at 370 hp.

Each year the standard transmission was a three-speed manual with column shift. Optional in 1967 and 1968 was a floor-mounted four-speed with Hurst shifter optional. 98% of Executives were fitted with the three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic during its four-year production run.

Executives came in a variety of body styles that included a two-door hardtop, a four-door pillared sedan, two-door hardtop coupe, four-door hardtop sedan, and hardtop station wagons in two and three-seat versions. The main difference separating the Executive Safari wagons from the Bonneville and Catalina Safari wagons by featuring simulated wood paneling.

In 1967 a total of 35,491 Executives were produced, followed by 35,597 the following year, 25,845 in 1969 and 21,936 in 1970. Unfortunately sales had dropped so much by 1971 that the decision was made to discontinue the Executive and replace it with the newly-midlined Bonneville.

By Jessica Donaldson