1967 Pontiac Catalina

The full-sized Pontiac Catalina was produced from 1950 to 1981. The name was first used on the 1950 Chieftain Eight and Deluxe Eight lines to denote hardtop body styles. It became its own separate model in 1959 as the 'entry-level' full-size Pontiac.

The full-sized Pontiacs were restyled in 1965, which included the Catalina. They were given 'Coke-bottle' profiles and the wheelbase grew to 121 inches. The Roto Hydramatic and Super Hydramatic were replaced by a new Turbo-Hydramatic. The standard engine for the Catalina was the 389 two-barrel V8 rated at 256 horsepower mated to a three-speed manual transmission. The 2+2 option, which had previously been a trim package, was now a performance car package similar to the GTO. It was equipped with the 421 four-barrel producing 338 horsepower (353 hp with Tri-Power or 376 hp 412 HO with Tri-Power available as options).

A minor facelift occurred in 1966 on the full-sized Pontiacs, followed by a major restyling for 1967. The full-sized Pontiacs received more rounded wasp-waisted body contours, concealed windshield wipers (an industry first), angular wedge-shaped front fender tips, and integral bumper-grilles. The 389 and 421 V8 engines were replaced with new 400 and 428 cubic-inch V8s. The base overhead valve V8 was a two-barrel 400 CID unit offering 265 horsepower with three-speed manual transmission or 290 horsepower with the Turbo Hydramatic. New options included a stereo eight-track tape player and front disc brakes.

New safety-mandated equipment included a safety steering wheel, energy-absorbing steering column, soft interior parts, and a dual-circuit hydraulic brake system.

A new GM Corporate policy, spearheaded primarily by Ed Cole, prohibited the use of multiple carburetors on all GM vehicles except the Chevrolet Corvair and the Corvette. Thus the Tri-Power engine options were dropped for 1967.

1967 was the final year for the 2+2 in both hardtop coupe and convertible. The 428 with 360 horsepower was standard and the 428 HO was optional. Sales had been stagnating since its introduction in 1964, partly due to consumers preferring performance from the lighter intermediates, including the GTO.

Catalina sales accounted for about 25 percent of Pontiac sales in 1967, with 211,405 examples sold.

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2019