The 1965 Pontiac Catalina 2 + 2 convertible date from the genus Halcyon mean solar day of the 1960s , when elevator car designer and engineers seemingly had a detached hand with new - model preparation . desire more power ? Add cubic inches . Styling outdated ? Have the folks in the studio draw up something " longer , lower , and wider . " No clangor run to pass , no EPA or CAFE requirements to meet . The only mass that had to be slaked were the corporate bean counters and John Q. Public . gratuitous to say , this character of thinking ensue in some exciting cars , and Pontiac was responsible for more than its plowshare .
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Coinciding with the introduction of the GTO in 1964 , Pontiac offered a new package option call in 2 + 2 for its full - size of it Catalina two - door hardtop and transmutable . Due to a GM insurance policy that prohibited engines over 400 Criminal Investigation Command in intermediates , the GTO had to " make do " with the class ’s 389 - cid V-8 , while the big Catalina was eligible for Pontiac ’s 421 - cid giant motor .
check off the 2 + 2 choice box gave you the big engine with a four - barrel carb , plus heavy - tariff three - speed gear case with floor - mounted Hurst shifter , 3.42:1 rear axle proportion , fleshy - responsibility springtime and shocks , and some additional interior assignment , all for $ 418.54 . Racer character could order up a Tri - Power engine with 370 bhp , as well as four - swiftness manual and Safe - T - Track limited - slip differential . So equip , a 2 + 2 was reportedly good for a mid-15 - second standing quarter - mile .
For 1965 , the top - rated 421 was list at 376 bhp , and all big Pontiacs boasted a new face . The Catalina hardtop acquired a full fastback roofline , front - ending styling had more character than the rather flat 1964 face , and sharply defined scummy - body sculpturing contribute a more rakish gentle wind to the profile . A former GM stylist once said the new design was " one full styling wave " in advance of other Detroit offer that year . It was arguably the honest " big " Pontiac of the decade .
Alas , the 2 + 2 did not enjoy the GTO ’s gross revenue success . For one thing , the bounteous computerized axial tomography cost a good $ 500 more than its sportier linemate , and no one was singing its praises . Whether due to customer impassiveness or worsen profitability , Pontiac phase out the 2 + 2 option after 1967 .
Though figures are unelaborated , the 2 + 2 saw about 11,000 sales for 1965 . If the ratio of sport coupes to convertibles is roughly the same as that of the standard Catalina line , then fewer than 200 of the ragtops were produced that year , reach a beautifully restored 1965 a rare tiger indeed . It ’s get the Tri - Power 421 , four - speeding , and Safe - T - Track . It ’s a real nostalgia tripper for those of us who remember the day when performance was only as far away as the local Pontiac trader .
