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The Pick of the Day is a 1965 Pontiac Catalina, a full-size 2-door, performance car that the GM division nicknamed the “Nimble Brute.”
Pontiac produced the Catalina 2+2 in 1964 and 1965, when it was given a redesign that exemplified the wave of full-size B-body cars from General Motors. Its new “coke-bottle” body design featured signature Pontiac stylings such as a split front grille and stacked headlights with prominent brows.
This Catalina 2+2 advertised by a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania dealer on ClassicCars.com was the recipient of a comprehensive restoration.
“Pontiac performance was at a pinnacle in 1965, and this simply stunning Nightwatch Blue 2+2 is a prime example,” the dealer says in the ad.
The Catalina is equipped with a 421cid four-barrel V8 linked to a Turbo 400 automatic, which was a new transmission for the ’65 model and “the perfect choice for a big car with power,” the dealer notes. This car is one of just 8,815 Special Edition examples equipped with automatic transmissions for the 1965 model year.
“With its 10:5:1 compression ratio, high-lift cam, large-diameter valves and dual exhaust, this mill generates a stump-pulling 459 lb-ft of torque at just 2,800 rpm, along with a healthy 338 horsepower,” the dealer adds.
The body rides on a large steel-perimeter chassis with a 121-inch wheelbase and weighs a hefty 3,748 pounds. It’s equipped with stylish Kelsey-Hayes eight-lug wire-spoke wheels wrapped in BF Goodrich Silvertown whitewall tires.
“The sheer size of this model is an expression of elegance,” the dealer says. “In combination with an interior shade called Blue Charcoal, this 2+2 was well ahead of its time from a standpoint of style.”
The roomy yet sporty interior has two bucket seats up front, an optional center console and floor shifter, and a custom 3-spoke steering wheel. The dash is adorned with chrome accents and features a horizontal speedometer, factory tachometer and Rallye instrumentation.
While the photos show the odometer reading 99,850 miles, the dealer doesn’t note whether this is the accurate original mileage.
The Catalina 2+2 is being offered for $58,500.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
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