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1966 Pontiac Catalina

Pontiac began using the name 'Catalina' on the 1950 Chieftain and later on the Star Chief in 1954, referencing the two-door hardtop body style with pillarless design in the hood and window areas. These 'hard-top convertibles' provided the airy and sporty feeling of a convertible but without the expense and normal shortcomings. All Pontiac hardtops were designated 'Catalinas' from 1950 to 1958, with the exception being the 1958 Bonneville.

For the 1959 model year, the 'Catalina' became the entry-level model within the Pontiac lineup. Despite being the lowerest-priced full-sized Pontiac, the Catalina was trimmed better than many of its competitors and came standard with more amenities including a larger and more powerful V8 engine of 389 cubic-inches. Its four-speed Hydra-Matic transmission was much better than many of its counterparts, and the options list was vast.

The 1959 Pontiac models wore completely new styling on a new General Motors B-body platform that was shared with other GM divisions. Styling cues included twin tailfins with two on each side, thin-pillar rooflines, and a wraparound bubble windshield.

Another restyling of Pontiac's full-sized models occurred for 1961, gaining more squared-off bodylines, and returning to the split grille first used in 1959. The previous 'X' frame chassis used since 1958 was replaced by an all-new Torque-Box perimeter frame with side rails that offered greater side-impact protection than its predecessor, along with greater interior roominess.

1966 Pontiac Catalina photo
Convertible
Chassis #: 252676P263082
Auction entries : 1
The second generation of styling continued through 1964, replaced in 1965 by 'Coke-bottle' profiles with twin air-slot grilles and a prominent center bulge, vertically stacked headlamps, curved side glass, and V-shaped front fender badges. The engines could now be backed by GM's new-for-1964 three-speed Turbo Hydramatic 400 transmission (THM-400).

Both the 389 and 421 cubic-inch V8s received thinner wall block castings. The base engine in the Catalina was the two-barrel version of the 389 rated at 256 horsepower backed by a three-speed manual transmission. With the Turbo Hydramatic, compression rose from 8.6:1 to 10.5:1. The four-barrel 389 produced 325 horsepower - slightly higher with the Turbo Hydramatic - a Tri-Power 389 rated at 338 horsepower, and a four-barrel 421 delivering the same 338 horsepower. With the Tri-Power set up on the 421, horsepower was rated at 353 horsepower. The 421 HO with Tri-Power delivered 376 horsepower.

The 2+2 option package arrived for 1965, giving the Catalina a performance persona and credentials to match. The base engine was the 421 four-barrel with 338 horsepower. It added '421' engine badges on the front fenders, 2+2 insignia on the deck lid and rear fenders, and simulated louvers behind the front wheel cutouts.

1966 Pontiac Catalina
With all-new styling for 1965, the Catalina received only mild updates for 1966. In the front were new plastic grilles and the headlamps gained caps. Along the body side was a thin horizontal belt molding, replacing the previous body crease trim. The nameplate was placed on the front and rear fenders.

1966 Pontiac Catalina photo
Convertible
Chassis #: 252676P263082
Auction entries : 1
Standard equipment included electric windshield wipers, turn signals, oil filter, cigarette lighter, front foam seat cushions, front seat belts, a heater and defroster, a heater and defroster, and five blackwall tires. The standard engine, shared with the Star Chief Executive, was a 389 cubic-inch V8 with a cast-iron block, overhead valves, 8.6:1 compression, five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, a Rochester two-barrel carburetor, and delivering 256 horsepower at 4,600 RPM. The Catalina 2+2 came standard with the 421 CID OHV V8 with 338 horsepower.

Performance options included power steering, Ride and Handling package, Rally wheel rims, Safe-T-Track, and more powerful versions of the 389 and 421. The Ventura option was available for hardtops, convertibles, and Vistas, adding interior and exterior upgrades including slightly more luxurious interior upholstery.

Body styles included a two- and four-door sedan, a two- and four-door hardtop, a convertible, and a 6- and 9-passenger station wagon. The two-door sedan listed for $2,760 and the four-door version at $2,830. The two-door hardtop was priced at $2,890 and the four-door hardtop at just under $3,000. The 6-passenger station wagon was $3,215 and the nine-passenger version was $3,340. 14,837 examples of the convertible were built at a factory base price of $3,220. The 4-door sedan was the most popular with 80,483 examples built, followed by 79,013 of the two-door hardtop, 38,005 of the four-door hardtop, 21,082 of the 6-passenger wagon, and 12,965 of the 9-passenger wagon. The two-door sedan proved to be the most exclusive in the lineup, but still fairly popular with 7,925 examples built.

1966 Pontiac Catalina photo
Convertible
Chassis #: 252676P263082
Auction entries : 1
The Catalina 2+2 was now a separate series for 1966. Along with the 421 CID V8, it received a low-restriction exhaust, heavy-duty suspension, chromed air cleaner and valve covers and three-speed Hurst linkage transmission. It wore 2+2 badges on the deck lid and rear fenders, 'Pontiac 421' emblems on the front fender, and had twin-lens taillamps and vertical air slots behind the doors.

Body styles on the Catalina 2+2 included a two-door hardtop with seating for five priced at $3,300. The convertible had a base price of $3,600. A total of 6,383 examples of the Catalina 2+2 were built, with 4,175 equipped with the Hydra-Matic transmission.

1966 Pontiac Lineup
The entry-level Pontiac was the Tempest resting on a 115-inch wheelbase. The standard Tempest had prices that ranged from $2,275 to $2,330 and body styles that included a coupe, sedan, and station wagon. The Tempest Custom was a higher trim level, offered in a wider range of body styles, and priced from $2,360 to $2,700. The Tempest LeMans had unique trim and interior accouterments, offered as a 4- and 4-door hardtop, a coupe, and convertible, and was priced from $2,500 to $2,800. Like the Catalina 2+2, the Tempest GTO was now a separate series with unique styling. The coupe listed for $2,780, the hardtop at $2,850, and the convertible at $3,080.

1966 Pontiac Catalina photo
Convertible
Chassis #: 252676P263082
Auction entries : 1
The Pontiac Catalina and Grand Prix both rested an intermediate platform with a wheelbase of 121-inch. The Grand Prix personal luxury vehicle was offered solely as a two-door hardtop and had a base price of $3,500, placing in a similar price point to the Bonneville. The Star Chief Executive and the Bonneville both had a 124-inch wheelbase. The Star Chief Executive body styles included a two- and four-door hardtop priced at $3,170 and $3,245 respectively, and a sedan at $3,115. The Bonneville also had a two- and four-door hardtop ($3,350 and $3,430 respectively), a convertible at $3,590, and a 9-passenger station wagon priced at $3,750.

Production
Approximately 260,700 examples of the Catalina and Catalina 2+2 for 1966, accounting for approximately 31-percent of Pontiac's total model-year output. This helped Pontiac claim over 10 percent of the market share for the first time ever.


by Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2021

Related Reading : Pontiac Catalina History

The vehicle of choice for full-size performance aficionados, the Pontiac Catalina was the least expensive and the lightest of Pontiacs full-size coupes and convertibles. Strongly establishing Pontiacs performance image, the Catalina featured light-weight body panels, Super Duty engines, and other innovative modifications. Part of Pontiacs full-sized automobile line, the Catalina name was originally....
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1966 Pontiac Catalina Vehicle Profiles

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

1966 Catalina
$3,600-$31,400
1966 Pontiac Catalina Price Range: $2,760 - $3,600

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1966 Pontiac Models
$2,780 - $3,080

Catalina

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
271,058
121.00 in.
8 cyl., 389.00 CID., 256.00hp
8 cyl., 389.00 CID., 290.00hp
8 cyl., 389.00 CID., 325.00hp
8 cyl., 389.00 CID., 333.00hp
8 cyl., 389.00 CID., 335.00hp
8 cyl., 421.00 CID., 356.00hp
8 cyl., 389.00 CID., 360.00hp
8 cyl., 389.00 CID., 370.00hp
$2,675 - $3,240
260,693
121.00 in.
8 cyl., 389.00 CID., 256.00hp
8 cyl., 389.00 CID., 290.00hp
8 cyl., 421.00 CID., 338.00hp
$2,760 - $3,600
211,405
121.00 in.
8 cyl., 400.00 CID., 265.00hp
8 cyl., 400.00 CID., 290.00hp
8 cyl., 230.00 CID., 335.00hp
$2,865 - $3,375
210,596
122.00 in.
8 cyl., 400.00 CID., 290.00hp
$3,090 - $3,665
223,380
122.00 in.
8 cyl., 400.00 CID., 290.00hp
8 cyl., 399.58 CID., 350.00hp
8 cyl., 455.00 CID., 360.00hp
$3,165 - $3,790

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