1973 Pontiac Catalina

The Catalina name was part of the Pontiac lineup for three decades, from 1950 to 1981. Initially, the Catalina represented a trim line of hardtop body styles on the Chieftain Eight and DeLuxe Eight lines. It became its own separate model in 1959, serving as the 'entry-level' full-size Pontiac and available in several different body styles. The design language introduced to the Catalina in 1959 continued into 1960 before the arrival of a major redesign in 1961. It received a new Torque-Box perimeter frame with side rails and a wheelbase that measured 119 inches (gaining an inch in 1962) and an overall length of 210 inches. The styling was modern and more square than in previous years, with a split grille design similar to the one used in 1959. A total of 113,354 examples were sold in 1961, nearly doubling to over 204,600 the following year, and increasing thereafter. The total from 1961 to 1964 Catalina production was 810,325 units.

Pontiac restyled its full-size automobiles for 1965, embracing the 'Coke-bottle' profile and fastback rooflines that were increasing in popularity. The wheelbase now measured 121 inches and the length 214.6 inches. The list of engine options continued to grow, with the 389 CID V8 in two-barrel configuration being the standard powerplant, with optional units eventually including the 400, 421, 428, and 455 CID V8s in various configurations. The base engine powering the 2+2 performance option came standard with the 421 four-barrel V8 with 338 hp. The Tri-Power version with 353 horsepower and the 421 HO with Tri-Power and 376 hp was optional. 1967 was the final time the 2+2 option was offered on the Catalina.

This generation of styling continued through 1970, with total output reaching 1,378,198 units. In 1970, the Catalina received the new Grand Prix-like V-nose grille, 'horn ports' on the front end, and new taillights within the rear bumper. These were but a few of the annual updates applied to the Catalina.

The 1973 model year was the most successful for this generation of Catalina styling with 237,065 examples built, followed by 228,262 in 1972, and 129,983 in 1971. Production dipped to 110,599 units in 1974, and continued to decline year-over-year, with 90,011 examples built in 1975 and 62,497 in 1976. The total production, from 1971 to 1976, was 858,417 units.

The final styling update for the Catalina arrived in 1977 and would continue through 1981. During this time, 214,328 examples were built. As General Motors continued to downsize its automobiles, the full-size Catalina was discontinued after the 1981 model year. During its entire existence, from 1959 to 1981, over 3.8 million examples of the Catalina were built.

The 1973 Pontiac Catalina
For 1973, it received new front-end styling including a full-width grille with thin horizontal blades. The name 'Catalina' could be found behind the front wheel openings. Body styles included a sedan, hardtop coupe and sedan, and a 6- and 9-passenger station wagon. The most popular body style was the sedan which had nearly 100,600 examples sold.

The Catalina Convertible and Catalina Brougham were no longer available.

The 1973 Catalina came standard with small hubcaps, untrimmed wheel cutouts, and thin body sill moldings. Inside, there were solid foam seat cushions in the front with integral springs, solid foam front seat backs, center-flow ventilation, ashtrays in the front, nylon carpets, glovebox lamps, trunk mat, and teakwood dash trim. They also had concealed wipers, windshield radio antennas, and variable-ratio power steering.

The Catalina Safaris added all-Morrokide seats, Deluxe steering wheel, vinyl load floor coverings, and power tailgate windows on the nine-passenger wagons.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2017