1967 Pontiac Executive

Pontiac produced the full-size Executive from 1966 through 1970, serving as a replacement for the company's mid-range Star Chief - call the Star Chief Executive for 1966 before becoming the 'Executive' for 1967. In Pontiac's lineup, the Executive was above the lower-priced Catalina but below the top-of-the-line Bonneville, whose dimensions and wheelbase were shared with the Executive. The mechanical components were nearly identical to the Catalina, with the standard engine being a 400 cubic-inch V8 with two-barrel carburetion and delivering 265 horsepower. It came standard with a three-speed manual with column shift, while a floor-mounted four-speed with Hurst shifter was optional in 1967 and 1968. Nearly all of the Executives, however, came with the three-speed Turbo-Hydramatic during the model's four-year production lifespan.

Body styles on the Executives included a two-door hardtop coupe, four-door hardtop sedan, four-door pillared sedan, and Safari station wagons in two and three-seat versions. The Executive Safari wagons distinguished themselves from those found on the Bonneville and Catalina lineup by its simulated wood paneling.

1967 was the best year for the Executive with 35,491 examples produced. The following year, 32,597 examples were built, followed by 25,845 in 1969 and 21,936 in 1970.

Standard equipment on the 1967 Pontiac Executive included deluxe steering wheels, deluxe wheel covers, decor moldings, special ornamentation, V-shaped deck lid emblems, and 'Executive' lettering on the front fender.

by Dan Vaughan

Produced 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 Jessican Donaldson