Poncho Muscle is Fun
Don Anderson’s 1966 Catalina 2+2 Story and photos by John Gunnell
Pontiac big cars continued to come on two wheelbases (as they had since 1958). From 1965-1969, the smaller stance—which hroughout the late ‘60s, Pontiac Motor Div. remained Ameri- measured 121 inches—was used for Catalinas and all Safari staca’s number three best-selling automaker. The company built tion wagons regardless of trim line. The larger 124-inch stance its post-1957 image on the youth market appeal of full-sized was reserved for Star Chiefs, Executives and Bonnevilles. performance cars. Under-the-table factory support of drag racing and stock car racing helped move big, “brutaful” Pontiacs Sporty luxury, smooth performance and high style were the out of showrooms. In the mid-‘60s, muscle car sales gradually keynotes of Pontiac’s larger cars during this five-year period. transitioned from monster motor big cars to the midsize car Playing off the glory of the Super-Duty high-performance models, big-cube multi-carbureted engines and 300-plus-horsepower niche where the GTO ruled the roost. ratings continued to be offered. However, 0-to-60 mph acceleration suffered due to added weight. The big-boat Bonnevilles were super cars to drive on superhighways, but rarely did much at a drag strip. The opposite was true of the Catalina 2+2, which became Pontiac’s full-sized performance car.
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A big-block 421-cid Pontiac-built V8 was standard in the 2+2. 14 MUSCLE CAR PLUS MAGAZINE FEB/MAR 2021
As one of Pontiac’s top full-size collector cars of this era, the Catalina 2+2 has a mystique of its own. It came—on either hardtop coupes or convertibles—as a prepackaged group of equipment. Individual options could also be added. For 1966, small changes were the rule. An industry-first plastic grille was among them. A two-stage exhaust system with resonators was also new. Added options included manually inflatable Super-Lift air shocks, Strato bucket or Strato bench seats and head rests. The 2+2 package included all-vinyl upholstery, louvred fender trim,
