A 1963 Catalina convertible, hot-rodded by Californian Bill Straub, became NASA's tow vehicle for the M2-F1 — the ungainly lifting-body aircraft that helped pioneer the Space Shuttle's landing technique.
Lead trim: Catalina 389 V8 (215 hp, 2-barrel, manual) · up to 338 hp
Pontiac Catalina1961–1964
- 0spots by members
- Unclaimednobody has spotted one yet
- 0sets it belongs to
Nobody in Burbles has spotted a Pontiac Catalina yet. See one on the street, point the app at it, and the first card is yours — with your @handle permanently credited on this page.
FactA 1963 Catalina convertible, hot-rodded by Californian Bill Straub, became NASA's tow vehicle for the M2-F1 — the ungainly lifting-body aircraft that helped pioneer the Space Shuttle's landing technique.
The second-generation Catalina (1961–1964) was completely restyled for 1961 with more squared-off bodylines, the split grille reintroduced and a new Torque-Box perimeter frame replacing the "X" frame, on a body somewhat smaller and lighter than the 1960 model: wheelbase 119 in (1961) and 120 in (1962–64), length 210 in and width 78.2 in (down from 80 in). All engines were again 389 cu in V8s, now called "Trophy" engines, with standard two-barrel units rated at 215 hp with the three-speed manual or 267 hp with the optional Hydramatic (a 230 hp regular-fuel "economy" V8 was a no-cost option), and more powerful versions of 303 hp, 318 hp Tri-Power, 333 hp four-barrel and 348 hp Tri-Power (the last two with 10.75:1 compression), plus a 363 hp drag-racing engine; a new three-speed Roto Hydramatic replaced the four-speed unit and a four-speed manual with Hurst floor shifter was available on special order. The 421 cu in Super Duty was released late in the 1961 sales season as a dealer-installed engine and a small number of 1962 Catalinas were built with a 405 hp two-four-barrel 421 Super Duty as a US$2,250 option. For 1963 the 333 and 348 hp 389s were replaced by production 421 cu in (6.9 L) V8s rated at 338 hp with a four-barrel, 353 hp with Tri-Power or 370 hp "HO" with Tri-Power, and 1964 brought the Pontiac 2+2 option package on Catalina two-door hardtops and convertibles. Production totals include 113,354 (1961), 234,549 (1963) and 257,768 (1964).
Collectors Spotted in the Pontiac Catalina Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the Pontiac Catalina yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
3 published trims in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalina 389 V8 (215 hp, 2-barrel, manual) | 1961–1962 | 6.4 L V8 | 215 hp | 394 lb-ft | — | RWD | — | — |
| Catalina 389 V8 (267 hp, 2-barrel, Hydramatic) | 1961–1962 | 6.4 L V8 | 267 hp | 405 lb-ft | — | RWD | — | — |
| Catalina 421 V8 (338 hp, 4-barrel) | 1963–1964 | 6.9 L V8 | 338 hp | — | — | RWD | — | — |
Owning one
We don’t estimate running costs for a car like this. What it costs depends on its condition, its specialist and how it is driven, and an average would mislead.
Owners’ builds
Nobody has claimed one yet.
Photographs
California banned Pontiac's own V8s the very year this generation launched — so every Catalina sold there ran a Chevy, Buick, or Olds engine instead.
1975 marked the end of an era for Pontiac -- the Grand Ville Brougham was the brand's last full-size convertible, and Pontiac wouldn't build another until 1982.
When the 2+2 went from trim package to full performance model in 1965, Pontiac didn't mess around — the 421-cubic-inch V8 became the BASE engine, with up to 376 hp on tap.
Did you know the 1967 Catalina hid an industry first behind its windshield? Its concealed windshield wipers were the first of their kind on any car.
Bucket seats, heavy-duty suspension, and real performance intent — the 1964 2+2 package cost just $291 on top of a base Catalina.
A 1963 Catalina convertible, hot-rodded by Californian Bill Straub, became NASA's tow vehicle for the M2-F1 — the ungainly lifting-body aircraft that helped pioneer the Space Shuttle's landing technique.
The 1959 Catalina's split grille wasn't planned — designers cut a conventional oval grille in half and swapped the pieces while experimenting, and the accident became iconic.
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
It briefly served as senior sibling to Marquette, a GM companion brand cancelled after just one year.
Nissan hired former BMW engineers to help develop the 510's suspension, which is why period reviewers frequently compared its handling to the BMW 1600/2002.
A Trabant 601 won its class at the 1970 Monte Carlo Rally, with a second 601 right behind it in second.
The 600 was a stopgap: the P50's body over the 601's mechanicals, and for a while its estate was built alongside the new 601 saloon.
The G80 Sport brought a 370 PS twin-turbo 3.3 V6, a mesh grille and copper-tinted chrome with copper stitching to match.
The Vigor was sold only with a five-cylinder engine, an unusual configuration Honda used to fit a longer engine transversely under a short hood.
The GS/E coupe earned the nickname "German Charger" for its long hood, short deck stance borrowed from Detroit muscle cars.
This DeVille/Fleetwood was the first production car anywhere to mount its V8 sideways, Cadillac's front-drive gamble on the new C-body.