1963-1964
For 1963, Catalinas and other full-size Pontiacs featured net square bodylines and vertical headlamps flanking the split grille, but retained the same dimensions and the main body of 1961-62. Engine proposals were revised as 333 hp (248 kW) and 348 hp (260 kW) version of the 389 V8 were dropped in favor of "production" versions of larger 421 cu In (6.9 liter) capacity of 338 horsepower (252 kW) four-barrel carburetor, 353 hp (263 kW) with Tri-Power, or 370 hp (280 kW) "NO" Tri-Power. 405 hp (302 kW) 421 Super Duty continues to offer cross-country team during the first half of the model year, but fell after General Motors ordered Pontiac (and Chevrolet), to "cease and desist" from the factory supported racing efforts in February 1963. New options for 1963 include a tilt steering wheel, which can be adjusted to six different positions, AM / FM radio and cruise control.
1963 Catalina convertible changes in the California Hot Rodder, Bill Straub was used as a prime mover in the M2-F1 program at NASA.
M2-F1 and 1963 Catalina convertible tow vehicle
Soft facelifting including a new grille and taillights said 1964 full-size Pontiacs. Engine / transmission proposals have been unchanged since 1963, except for the new GM-built Muncie four-speed manual replacement of Borg-Warner T-10 units. In addition, new for 1964, 2 +2 option package available on the Catalina two-door hardtops and convertibles, which included bucket seats, heavy suspension and other equipment operation, along with the same choice of 389 cu in (6.4 liter) and 421 cu in (6.9 liter) V8, in other Catalina.
Throughout most of 1960, when Pontiac annually captured third place in industry sales, Chevrolet and Ford, Catalina and the third part of industry sales of full-size cars in the first Chevrolet Impala and the second place Ford Galaxie 500. Success in Catalina prices environment field caused many competitors to respond with similar products, such as the 1961 Chrysler Newport, a less expensive Chrysler, which was cheaper than the base models of the bearing plate Chrysler in recent previous years, and in 1962 Dodge Custom 880 and 1963 Mercury Monterey , both of which were introduced as full of cheap car environment full size in the size and power, which followed unsuccessful attempts to Mercury and Dodge full-size cars to detect contractions.
In 1964, even Pontiac's mid-priced competitors in General Motors responded to the success of the Catalina in the market, as well as to capture the Chevy Impala owners to trade with high quality vehicles from units GM. Buick took it at the lowest price of a big machine, LeSabre, and reduced cost base sticker on the replacement of less than $ 300 (4,9 l) V8 engine and two-speed automatic gearbox on his car instead of the average 401 U.S. dollars (6, 6 liters) V8 and three-speed automatic used in other large Buicks. Porn has gone even further, creating new full-range, Jetstar 88, which was $ 75 lower than the dynamic 1988 series (but still a few dollars higher than a comparable model Pontiac Catalina), and also received less engine - 330 USD in (5.4 liter) V8 and two-speed automatic gearbox with an intermediate line F-85/Cutlass, along with a smaller 9.5 in (240 mm) brake drums (also from GM intermediates) compared with 11.12 in (280 - 300 mm) drums were found on all other GM full size cars from the bare bones of a six-cylinder Chevrolet Biscayne in 1975, a limousine Cadillac. And, as Pontiac Catalina still cheaper than Jetstar and LeSabre, at the lowest cost full-size Pontiac buyers are often perceived as better value in the market due to the high standard V8 engine and three-speed automatic transmission, and (compared to 88 Jetstar) larger brakes.
