n 1977, Pontiac and other GM divisions their full-size cars in an effort to facilitate weight and improve gas mileage decreases. The Catalina continued as entry-level full-size Pontiac-Buick-built car with a 231 cubic-inch V6 now standard in sedans and coupes (Safari wagons came standard with V8) and optional 301 CID V8, 350 CID and 400 CID shifts, each built Pontiac motors, and offered in all states except California. The Pontiac 350 was offered in 1977, but was replaced by Buick and Olds 350 V8 1978-1980, and the Pontiac 400, available until 1978, was replaced by an Oldsmobile 403 V8 in 1979 only. A-Built 350 Olds diesel V8 was optional for 1980 and 1981, together with another stripped-Pontiac V8 265 CID.

With the reduced model, the Catalina Safari In 1977 a new two-way tailgate that could be opened on the side of a door or lowered as a hatchback, which replaces complex 1971-76 Clamshell tailgate design. The car shared the same full-suspension coil spring than their sedan counterparts, rather than the multi-leaf springs found on 1971-76 safaris.

As the Pontiac V8 was completely banned from the state of California beginning in 1977 take on the inability of the state, more stringent emission standards, Catalinas (and Bonnevilles) sold in California were equipped with engines from other GM divisions by 1981. These included the Buick 231 V6 and a range of V8 engines with the Chevrolet 305 Oldsmobile 307, Buick and Olds 350 and 403 Olds V8.

The Catalina was tried after the 1981 model year with the more luxurious Bonneville as Pontiac, the full-size passenger car market in the course of further job cuts GM to abandon the program set. The 1982 Bonneville was introduced as a mid-size car. When production of the Catalina label ended in 1981, had over 3.8 million Catalinas been sold since 1959.

In 1990, I began to retreat from participation in racing, I bought a house and other things, where I was. I guess I burned myself in the pursuit of the points system from April to October open every weekend with nearly half of the output works as Saturdays and Sundays and occasionally on Friday night, too. I loved fast cars, but just could not get excited Racing, which is much more, so I tried to sell the car. Eventually I traded the Chevy II for 1967 Pontiac Acadian, which belonged to Peter Whittaker in 1993. The Canadian version of the Chevy II. 1967 Pontiac Acadian has the same body type, but uses the framing of the head light in 1966 Chevy II and its own unique grill, including 3 Maple Leafs (Canadian flag). Pontiac looks pretty stock, but 350 with angles fork head (Chevy 492 casting), Victor Jr. intake, 292 Competition Cam, roller rockers, flat top pistons (10 to 1) and Powerglide with 4800 stall converter. The rear part was 4.88. The car had to work best 12.30 at 108 in accordance with Peter. The body is completely original (Uncut) and restored. That only G60-15 on the rearend the car a hard time connecting and way more focused on actually make it to the end of the 1 / 4 mile. Really makes a cruise on the highway kind of slow too. I think that if everything was sorted in a car he can easily run high 11 in the quarter. Although I sometimes miss racing Chevy II, I could always take out of Pontiac for little spin to get my rocks off!

1997: rearend was changed to 3.73 (much more reasonable on the street), the converter has been changed to 4000 stalled the engine was cleaned and the BF Goodrich T / were put on. Transmission and converter changes the car slowed down a bit, but still managed to 12.79 @ 106.5 miles per hour with open headers 13.23 @ 103 with silencers on (time to obtain a less restrictive mufflers).

1998 - I changed the exhaust to 21 / 2 all the way with Dynomax Super Turbos and Flowmaster tail pipe. Threw the seat and put in the RCI bucket seats and 5 point harness racing. I moved the battery to the trunk and sat on a low alternator down the driver's side of the block. I also added traction bars to help plant the tires. Served all away with a lot of wheel axle. Visit to the local strip resistance, to see how the new exhaust worked. McCreary bolts on the back and ran best 12.78 and a top speed of 105.01 miles / h. 60ft. times have also improved to 0.1 seconds (the shelf life of these mods. was 1.89. Now it is 1.78). It seems that new exhaust and weight savings helped quite a bit. Plus traction has been improved with the bars and moving battery to the trunk.

1999 - I decided to build their own dashboard and includes 4 AutoMeter gauges and 3 3 / 4 tachometer. I kept the original disc (frame) and made the aluminum plate to fit the sensor mounting. Tachometer was the most difficult to match how it is installed in the panel with the bracket upside down. All this was then re-wired with quick turns off.

2001 - I was ported heads and changed the 292 Hydraulic Competition Cam for 294S Solid Lifter. On the chassis of the engine stand showed more than 60 Hp lost as the valves are located at 6500 rpm. Now Dyno showed less than 20 hp lost at 7000 rpm. Bad port on the exhaust side was also repaired. The engine lost power a little less than 4000 Grand, but actually woke up above 4500. Acadian ran 12.65 at 109 miles per hour, but was a little lazy off the line because of the low first gear with a Powerglide and 3.73 in the back. I updated the electronic module in the universities and, ultimately, Acadian ran 12.44 at 112 miles per hour I think, a spark falls at high speed, but it still will not miss fire, but authorities are now lost.

2002 - I bought a Turbo 350 with 3800 stall converter. 2.52 first gear really woke up every thing and ran a steady Acadian 12.05 at 113 miles per hour later that summer in the cool air in September, I ran, I'm looking for 11.95 at 114 miles per hour Drove it to the track, and then went home. Never took the issue or air filter. In fact, in testing by removing them seems to slow down Acadian. So now I have 11 second Street car. Yahooooooo!!

2005 - I started the largest, most expensive upgrade for Acadian. I replaced the complete Front Clip with Superide block Heidt II. Along with the videos were a few other upgrades, which included the steering column, wiring harness, radiator, oil pan, billet master cylinder, etc. the firewall was smoothed, and all holes filled before painting. Now Acadian drove nice and straight and there was no direct hit. Disc brakes were included with the front clip Heidt. The drums were abandoned at the back now. It was a lot of time updating and I moved from Quebec to Ontario in late 2005 which slowed down a bit. By mid 2006, everything was finally back together and working.

2007 - After Front Clip update, I realized the engine getting a little tired. I never touched the short block engine and Peter in the car for a few years, so it was at least 16-17 years they were together. So it's time. Being new to Toronto, I had a friend at work I would recommend talking to Ralph on the fast companies. He has a reputation for making a bad move fast engines for Drag Racing and trams. After several discussions we have more or less had a plan, which changed several times during assembly. I probably went a little overboard, but what the hell, it was something I really wanted. Only a block and crank, and consumption have been saved, everything else was new. It is now 0.040 for the small block, with a 11:01 compression aluminum heads, which were developed for Ralph to get a stream of numbers there. Solid roller cam now. It turns like crazy, but still has more torque than the old engine at low levels. Another benefit is that fuel consumption is almost doubled. What drove me to a full tank of travel, now takes only 1 / 2 tank. Next summer I plan to put it on a chassis Dyno as well as its path.

In 1971, mid-level executive and Ventura trim option for the Catalina were both canceled and replaced with the Catalina Brougham, who proposed a luxurious interior than the standard Catalina. Brougham was dismissed in 1973 after back its sales below expectations. 1972 also marked the final appearance Catalina Convertible.

1971 Pontiac (available with rim) Catalina Convertible

For 1971, Catalina and made other full-size Pontiacs completely revised and new from the wheels with a long hood / deck short proportions of the body and style like the Chrysler Corporation in 1969 full-size cars, along with a double hull roof to to improve the introduction of the lightning protection and external pull-up door Pen - The last two functions first appeared in 1970 ½ Firebird. Catalina and Catalina Brougham sedans and coupes rode on the 123-inch (3100 mm) wheelbase, while Bonneville and Grandville uses more than 126 inches (3200 mm) wheelbase and Safari wagons were an inch longer at 127 cm. Coach station also got their multi-leaf spring rear suspension, while the sedan and coupe are still hung from the front and rear springs.

New Series for 1971 Catalina Brougham, the lush interior as normal Catalina proposed, available as a two-door sedan, four-door sedan and four-door sedan columns. "Coaches", while similar in concept to the Ventura custom finish options on most models of Catalina in 1962 and offered to replace the old series of the executive.

Catalina Safari Pontiac Safari wagon was only for 1971 (although the internal and external decoration with sedans and coupes Catalina continues to share) and were luxurious executive and Bonneville cars replaced with a new car Grand Safari. Although the Grand Safari its grille design announced a new series of Grandville, his salon was equal to an additional internal vinyl, proposed a series of Bonneville. Pontiac now its full size cars as a separate series of his colleagues as a sedan Chevrolet (Brookwood, city dwellers, in the credits, Kingswood, Kingswood Estate), Oldsmobile (Custom Cruiser) and Buick (Estate Wagon) activities.

Like all GM B-body cars, and Safari Grand Safari has a new clamshell tailgate GM. Controlled by switches on the dashboard or the switch on the rear quarter slipped back door in the recess under the cargo floor, while electric windows slid the back of the roof. Pontiac praised the new system is easier to load and unload the car in a confined space, but "glide-away" back door prone to electrical and mechanical problems, and problems of water and air leaks, and the cars in old age.

Another feature of Pontiacs prone to all GM B-and C-body cars for 1971 split, a new ventilation system of government. System and with the unfortunate Vega, a fan heater to make the air in the car from the hood intake, and make it through the holes in the trunk lid or tailgate. In theory, the passengers can enjoy the fresh air, even when the car moves slowly or standing, as in heavy traffic. However, in practice it does not work.

Within weeks after the debut of 1971 models, however, and all other Pontiac dealers, the GM has received several complaints from drivers who complained about the ventilation system pulled cold air in the car until the heater is warm and can not be disabled. The ventilation system was extensively revised for 1972.

All models featured new Grand Prix-style round cockpit instrument panels, the controls and instruments placed within reach of the driver along with two round pods for the speedometer and the other in order to prevent the lights, fuel gauge, or additional sensors and electric clock. The design of the interior is in cloth and vinyl or expand Morrokide Morrokide depending on model.

The standard engine in the sedan and coupe Catalina has 255 hp 350 V8 with two barrel carburetor. Catalina Brougham models and safari vehicles equipped with a 400 cubic inch V8 with two barrel carburetor capacity of 265 horsepower, that was a gross addition to other models Catalina. Other engines are 455 cubic inch V8 with two-or four-term gasification ratings and corresponding PS 285 and 325, respectively. All Pontiac engines were developed for 1971, leaded to a lower octane regular, low lead or unleaded gasoline by GM corporate edict that to reduce the amount of compression calls.

Power front disc brakes were made standard for the first time in 1971. As in previous years, the variable steering ratio and Turbo Hydramatic transmission of additional options, but has run the series midway through the 1971 model. Also available in spring 1971 Catalina 350 engine with two-speed automatic transmission in addition to the standard three-speed column shift manual.

For 1972 was Catalinas and other full-size Pontiacs new GP-Style "V" nose of the grid and strong front bumper, the crashes of up to 5 miles per hour (8.0 mph), a year before the election standard, the effect was to resist in 1973 along with revised taillight.

Two-barrel 400 cubic-inch V8 was compared to all Catalina / Brougham / Safari models with 175 net hp, with 265 gross horse in 1971 thanks to the power switch of the measurement of gross ratings were measured dynometer without accessories attached at the time measured by standard deviation as a "net" figures were "installed as" in the car connected with all accessories and gear emissions are. More engines, two barrel 455 producing 185 hp (138 kW) and four barrel 455 rated at 250 hp (190 kW). 1972 was the last for Convertible Catalina and Catalina Brougham series.

Catalina and the other in 1973 presented in full-size Pontiacs a full-width grille shed together with the federal government now mandated 5 mph (8.0 kph) front bumper and tail light redesigned. Consoles sequel to "Pie" theme, but the two sensors were placed around the square tubes. With the Catalina Brougham terminated only regular models and Catalina Safari wagon were offered this year. Catalinas and other full-size Pontiacs is including Bonneville and Grandville now riding for a total of 124 inches (3100 mm) wheelbaase for sedans and coupes, while Safari Grand Safari wagon and put his own 127-inch (3200 mm) wheelbase.

Catalina sedans and coupes are equipped with the optional 350 cubic-inch V8 engine with 150 hp (110 kW) with 170-horsepower 400-Two Smoking Barrels and standard on the car Safari. Optional engines included a 230-hp four race and 250-400-455-hp four barrel V8.

1973 Pontiac Catalina

The new Mercedes-center as a split grille and revised rear style with a new 5 mph (8.0 kph) bumper at the rear end and a license plate has moved above the bumper, said 1974 Pontiac Catalina, and large. Two-door coupe-sedan offers new fixed triangular side windows, but kept the column style with roll-back window, other than the Chevrolet, which eliminates the drop-down rear quarter in the Caprice and Impala Custom Coupe. Four-door sedan limousines and columns have not changed since 1973. The interior was also in 1973, with the exception of the revised standard steering wheel and a new carpet to reduce the pile.

For the first time on the list of options, the adjustable gas and brake pedals, Pontiac exclusive (and often order), and radial suspension, which the bus were updated along with other modes of suspension, such as front and rear boards of the power mentioned.

170-hp V8 with 400 two-cylinder engine carburetor now standard on all models with 225-hp four race and 250-400-455-hp four race V8 as an option. Also for 1974, Safari Catalina Safari wagon renamed and continued to share the inner and outer panels with sedans and coupes.

In 1975, a revised front-and back style Catalinas and other full-size Pontiacs, together with standard radial tires and electronic ignition. Same range of 400 and 455 engines on the 1974 carried out with limited benefits from 170 to 200, but tied now with catalytic converters, which provided better handling and fuel economy compared to the previous equipment to reduce emissions, but called for the use of unleaded gasoline. Four-door sedan limousines and columns featured six new-style window from the window of the sixth to the Saloon Links opera window. 1975 also marked the end of the Pontiac convertible production until 1982, Grandville Brougham was the last full-size Pontiac convertible.

For 1976, only minor changes in detail were of the Catalinas and other contain full-size Pontiacs, the revision of the grid made (with rectangular headlights now Catalina with the "Another version of the Trim-round lights went on model) and rear light. In This year was the last one 1971-vintage body, additional adjustable pedals, 455 V8 and a clamshell rear doors in the car Safari. 1976 also marked the return series Bonneville Brougham on the top of the line at full size, have refused as a marketer, Pontiac Grand Ville as a whole name.

For decades, affordable roadster segment consisted exclusively of vehicles from England or Japan. General Motors has changed that night with the Pontiac Solstice (and its twin Saturn Sky), which was built here in America. Solstice brought genuine excitement to Pontiac brand, with its great design and is available with turbo. He was briefly available as a Targa top coupe, too.


Pontiac Solstice began life as a concept car at the 2002 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Once received rave reviews and a lot of public interest, Pontiac has decided to accelerate a production model. When the Solstice debuted at the 2006 model year, the design concept was almost intact, with big alloy wheels, fluid lines and sleek, retro-style front end, which gave the car a very distinctive look.


But GM's financial problems in 2009, requires the elimination of Pontiac, and the fact that the solstice of the past. It's a shame, because with another generation of refinement, Solstice can really be something. Use a mixed picture of the solstice, in equal parts seductive sheet metal, hit-or-miss dynamics and disappointing reliability and quality.


Recent Pontiac Solstice

Produced from 2006-'09, the Pontiac Solstice convertible is stuck with the classic roadster formula, showing the front of the four-cylinder engine, rear-wheel drive, four-wheel independent suspension, near 50/50 front / rear weight balance and manually operated convertible soft top. Coupe, which was prepared in 2009 only, was identical except for its Targa roof - I think, T-tops with no bar in the middle.


Under the hood of the base model was a 2.4-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine. Although the engine featured aluminum block, dual overhead camshafts and variable valve timing, he did not feel the same way as an engine sports car. Tall transmission gears and the lack of response due to the slow nature of the Rev, and the soundtrack near the red was far from glorious wail roadster fans expect.


The best choice, if resources permit, a Pontiac Solstice GXP (sold from 2007-'09). This version is much improved, provided the acceleration due to the powerful turbocharged direct-injection 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. GXP also sports suspension, stronger brakes and a high-performance tires.


In this review, we found that while both versions have been entertaining in terms of handling, they can not match up to the test Mazda Miata (or, for the GXP, Honda S2000). Inside, Pontiac has decided to go with a much cheaper materials, and ownership experience even more saddened by the three other unfortunate qualities: a bustling multi-step process for top convertibles (completed terrible rearward visibility for the coupe), the lack of internal space for storing things like cell phones and wallets, and small trunk, which was unusable in any of these models.


Pontiac Solstice has received several notable options during its run. In 2008, OnStar, acoustic headliner for the soft top and a trip computer became standard equipment for the base and GXP versions. In addition, for '08, Club Sport Package with firmer suspension tuning and silver-painted wheels became available. In addition, the arrival of the coupe in 2009 marked the advent of soft-top Solstice Street Edition, which includes updating of standard features and sports suspension. In addition, in '09, ABS, stability control and rear limited-slip differential were standard across the board, and the Bluetooth connection is available again.

1969 Pontiacs received a major restyling with a few extra square of sheet metal (though not as much as similar cars from other parts of GM) and finish. However, the basic 1965 chassis, the internal structure of the body and four-door sedan roof pillars have been retained, although vent windows were dropped on all models and Safari wagons got a new rear door are two ways that can be opened in the direction of the door or down the back door - similar in design, which was presented to Ford Motor Company to Ford / Mercury cars in 1966. Catalina also received a one-inch wheelbase increase to 122.

The variable steering ratio was a new option this year, and front disc brakes will be automatically enabled when the power brake option was ordered.

Engine power consists of a standard 290-horsepower 400-Two Smoking Barrels (with or without additional fuel cost of regular 265-horsepower 400 Turbo Hydramatic transmission), 330-horsepower 400 four barrel, 370-horsepower 428 four barrel, 428 HO Power 390 horses. Standard three-speed manual gearbox and optional three-speed Turbo Hydramatic was continued as before, but a four-speed manual transmission with Hurst was excluded from the list of options.

All full-size Pontiacs, including Pontiac Catalina, got a new Grand Prix, as the V-nose grille for 1970, along with the "horns of the ports on the updated interface and new tail lamps are installed in the rear bumper. Catalina sedans and coupes come standard now less 255 - 350-horsepower-cubic-inch Pontiac V8 as standard equipment with optional engines, including the previously standard 400 Two Smoking Barrels capacity of 265 and 290 horsepower (still on standard convertibles and Safari wagons), 330 - 400 horsepower four trunk, and two versions of the new 455-cubic-inch V8 with 360 hp (270 kW) or 370 horses with "no." As in past years, three-speed manual transmission with column shift standard equipment, but most cars were equipped with optional three-speed Turbo Hydramatic. It is also proposed for 1970, but rarely order was two-speed automatic transmission, Turbo Hydramatic 300, which was available with the 350 V8.

pontiac solstice mallet

On the American tuning show SEMA, Tuner Mallett is going to present something special, which has 560 horses under the hood and "faced with" a specific body-kit. This Pontiac Solstice, which tuner Mallett chose to fly their ideas, the result of which is obvious and striking. Immediately it is worth noting the serial chetyrehtselindrovuyu diesel filling models, which fell tuner is simply not to your taste and compare the market competitors, and of course from a special respect for a "favorite", tuner integrated so "free" place a powerful 560-horsepower V8-silovik used in models of Corvette. The result on the face! "Weaving" at such modest mass is less than four seconds and a top speed of more than 300 km / h. The latter should be added that such high-speed performance, the tuner has been achieved and due to specific body kit, elements of which were manufactured in fiberglass (as an alternative, provided the elements and carbon). Shestichastichny "designer", which includes four extensions to the wheel arches, front and rear spoiler is offered at a price of 18,000 dollars. Officially, Mallett Pontiac Solstice will be presented at SEMA tuning show, and only then will go on sale in a small limited edition