1965 Pontiac Catalina

The Pontiac Catalina introduced all-new styling for 1965, its third major update since 1959. Pontiac had used the name 'Catalina' prior to it becoming a separate model in 1959, originally representing the hardtop body style of the 1950 Chieftain.

The 1965 Pontiac Catalina full-size models wore 'Coke Bottle' profiles, fastback roofline on the two-door hardtops, curved side glass, vertically stacked round headlamps, V-shaped hoods with a center bulge, twin-air slot grilles, and a crease along the lower bodysides. They wore Catalina rear fender scripts, V-shaped front fender badges, and chrome molding along the lower body crease. Body styles included a two- and four-door sedan, two- and four-door hardtop, convertible, and a four-door station wagon with six- and 9-passenger seating.

The two-door sedan had a factory base price of $2,675, the sedan at $2,750, the two-door hardtop at 2,800, and the four-door hardtop a $2,890. The convertible was the most expensive passenger car body style in the Catalina lineup with a price of $3,100. The 6-passenger station wagon was priced at $3,140 and the nine-passenger version at $3,240.

Powering the Catalina was a 389 cubic-inch V8 with overhead valves, thinner wall block castings, a Rochester two-barrel carburetor, five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, and delivered 256 horsepower at 4,600 RPM with the synchromesh transmission. With the Hydra-Matic installed, the engine was rated at 290 bhp. The three-speed Turbo Hydramatic 400 was GM's new-for-1964 transmission, replacing the previous three-speed, four-range Roto-Hydramatic in the Catalina, along with the four-speed Super Hydramatic that was used in the other Pontiacs. This new transmission was smoother, faster, and more durable than the previous unit and used the modern 'P-R-N-D-S-L' shift pattern.

A two-barrel version of the 389 with an 8.6 to 1 compression ratio with 265 horsepower and burned regular gas was a no-cost option with the Turbo Hydramatic. A four-barrel 389 CID V8 produced 325 horsepower with the Turbo Hydramatic and 333 with the manual gearbox, and a Tri-Power 389 delivered 338 horsepower. The four-barrel 421 CID V8 also produced 338 horsepower, 353 horsepower with Tri-Power, or 376 horsepower with the Tri-Power 421 HO.

While the 2+2 had previously been a trim package, it moved into the all-out performance category for 1965, similar in persona to Pontiac's intermediate-sized GTO. Catalina coupes and convertibles equipped with the optional 2+2 Sports Package received '421' engine badges on the front fenders, 2+2 numbering on the rear decklid and fenders, and simulated louvers behind the front wheel cutouts. The '421' was in reference to the standard 421 four-barrel engine with 338 horsepower. The Tri-Power 421 and Tri-Power 421 HO engines were optional.

The Ventura package added special trim, identification, a sport steering wheel, deluxe wheel covers, and tri-tone seats done in 'Morrokide.' Standard equipment on the Catalina included front foam seat cushions, a heater and defroster, electric windshield wipers, oil filter, turn signals, sun visors, front seat belt, five tubeless black wall tires (the Safar wagons came with 8.55 x 14 tires), and a cigarette lighter. The Safari wagon with nine-passenger seating came with a power tailgate window.

The most popular 1965 Pontiac Catalina body style was the two-door hardtop with 92,009 examples built. This was followed by the four-door sedan with 78,853 examples built, 34,814 of the four-door hardtop, and 22,399 of the six-passenger station wagon. 18,347 examples were convertibles, 15,110 were 9-passenger wagons, and 9,526 were the two-door sedan. The total 271,058 examples of the 1965 Catalina represented approximately 34-percent of Pontiacs production. Most of the Catalina's received the Hydra-Matic with 14,817 fitted with the synchromesh manual.

1965 Pontiac Models
The entry-level Tempest models used a 115-inch wheelbase with trim levels that included the 'base', Tempest Custom, and Tempest LeMans - including the GTO option. Prices ranged from $2,210 to $3,100. Both the Catalina and the Grand Prix shared a 121-inch wheelbase platform, and the Star Chief and Bonneville rested on a slightly longer 124-inch platform. The Grand Prix was offered solely as a hardtop coupe with a base price of $3,430. The Star Chief sedan was $3,040 and the hardtop at $3,170. The range-topping Bonneville was available as a two- and four-door hardtop, convertible and station wagon, with prices that ranged from $3,280 to $3,560.

The Tempest was powered by an inline-6 with overhead vales, seven main bearings, a 215 cubic-inch displacement, and produced 140 horsepower. The Bonneville and Grand Prix both came with a 389 CID four-barrel V8 with 333 horsepower (325 hp with the Hydra-Matic).

The most popular 1965 Pontiac model were the combined Tempest models, with 39,525 'base' Tempest, 84,653 Tempest Customs, and 182,905 Tempest LeMans (a combined total of over 307,000 units). The 134,020 examples of the Bonneville represented approximately seventeen percent of Pontiac's 1965 production, and the 57,881 Grand Prix models were approximately seven percent of production.

The styling introduced on 1965 Catalina models continued through 1970 with a dramatic restyling occurring for 1967.

by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2021