Pontiac Catalina: Generations, Engine Options and Specs
The Pontiac Catalina was produced from 1959 through 1981 in five generations. The catalogue data covers Cabrio, Estate 5-door, Coupe Hardtop, and Sedan body styles. Across the range, every listed engine is a naturally aspirated, carbureted Gasoline V-shaped 8-cylinder unit mounted at the front in a longitudinal position.
Overview
The Pontiac Catalina was produced from 1959 through 1981 in five generations. The catalogue data covers Cabrio, Estate 5-door, Coupe Hardtop, and Sedan body styles. Across the range, every listed engine is a naturally aspirated, carbureted Gasoline V-shaped 8-cylinder unit mounted at the front in a longitudinal position. Every version has RWD, while the available transmissions are Manual and Automatic. Listed displacement ranges from 5800 cc to 7500 cc, and power ranges from 215 hp to 338 hp.
Pontiac Catalina generations
The first-generation Pontiac Catalina was produced from 1959 through 1960 as a Cabrio. Two versions are listed: 6.4 MT with 235 hp and 6.4 AT with 280 hp.
The second generation ran from 1961 through 1964 and is also catalogued as a Cabrio. Its two versions are both named around the same 6400 cc engine: 6.4 MT with 215 hp and 6.4 AT with 267 hp.
The third-generation Pontiac Catalina was produced from 1965 through 1970 as an Estate 5-door. It has two Manual versions: 6.4 MT with 265 hp and 6.9 MT with 338 hp.
The fourth generation covers 1971 through 1976 and uses the Coupe Hardtop body style. Three Automatic versions are listed: 5.8 AT with 255 hp, 7.5 AT with 325 hp, and 6.6 AT with 265 hp.
The fifth and final generation in the data was produced from 1977 through 1981 as a Sedan. It contains one version, the 265 hp 6.6 AT.
Pontiac Catalina engine options and specs
| Generation and years | Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders and layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First, 1959–1960 | 6.4 MT | 235 hp / 175 kW | not measured | 6400 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 3-speed Manual | RWD |
| First, 1959–1960 | 6.4 AT | 280 hp / 210 kW | not measured | 6400 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 4-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Second, 1961–1964 | 6.4 MT | 215 hp / 160 kW | not measured | 6400 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 3-speed Manual | RWD |
| Second, 1961–1964 | 6.4 AT | 267 hp / 199 kW | not measured | 6400 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Third, 1965–1970 | 6.4 MT | 265 hp / 198 kW | not measured | 6400 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 3-speed Manual | RWD |
| Third, 1965–1970 | 6.9 MT | 338 hp / 252 kW | not measured | 6900 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 3-speed Manual | RWD |
| Fourth, 1971–1976 | 5.8 AT | 255 hp / 188 kW | not measured | 5800 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fourth, 1971–1976 | 7.5 AT | 325 hp / 239 kW | not measured | 7500 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fourth, 1971–1976 | 6.6 AT | 265 hp / 195 kW | not measured | 6600 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
| Fifth, 1977–1981 | 6.6 AT | 265 hp / 195 kW | not measured | 6600 cc | Gasoline | 8, V-shaped | No | 3-speed Automatic | RWD |
Every listed engine has 2 valves per cylinder and uses a Carburetor. The first-generation versions are the only entries with a measured compression ratio: 8.6 for the 6.4 MT and 10.5 for the 6.4 AT. Compression ratio is not measured for every later version, while bore and stroke are not measured throughout the catalogue data.
The transmission specification is generally a 3-speed unit. The exception is the first-generation 6.4 AT, which has a 4-speed Automatic. The first three generations include Manual choices, whereas every listed fourth- and fifth-generation version uses an Automatic transmission.
Pontiac Catalina horsepower, performance and mpg
The lowest listed output is 215 hp in the second-generation 6.4 MT. The highest is 338 hp in the third-generation 6.9 MT, a difference of 123 hp. Within the first generation, the 280 hp 6.4 AT produces 45 hp more than the 235 hp 6.4 MT. In the second generation, the 267 hp 6.4 AT exceeds the 215 hp 6.4 MT by 52 hp. In the third generation, the 338 hp 6.9 MT offers 73 hp more than the 265 hp 6.4 MT.
For the fourth-generation Pontiac Catalina, the 255 hp 5.8 AT is the least powerful version, the 265 hp 6.6 AT adds 10 hp, and the 325 hp 7.5 AT adds 70 hp over the 5.8 AT. The fifth-generation 6.6 AT retains the same listed 6600 cc displacement, 265 hp, and 195 kW as the fourth-generation 6.6 AT.
Acceleration from 0–100 km/h is not measured for any version. Top speed is not measured for any version. City fuel consumption, highway fuel consumption, and combined fuel consumption are also not measured for every listed Pontiac Catalina, so an mpg figure cannot be stated from these data. Torque and the engine speeds for maximum power and torque are not measured throughout the range.
Pontiac Catalina dimensions and weight
Pontiac Catalina length, width, height, and wheelbase are not measured in the supplied catalogue data. Kerb weight and gross weight are not measured for any generation or version. Ground clearance is not measured, fuel-tank capacity is not measured, and wheel sizes are not measured.
The available chassis data are consistent across all listed versions. Front suspension is Independent, spring, and front brakes are Disc. Rear-suspension and rear-brake specifications are not measured.
Which Pontiac Catalina version to choose?
For maximum listed horsepower, the third-generation 6.9 MT is the leading choice: its 6900 cc engine develops 338 hp and 252 kW. It has a 3-speed Manual transmission and RWD. The fourth-generation 7.5 AT is the strongest Automatic option, producing 325 hp and 239 kW from 7500 cc through a 3-speed Automatic transmission.
Among the 6400 cc versions, output varies substantially. The second-generation 6.4 MT has 215 hp, the first-generation 6.4 MT has 235 hp, the third-generation 6.4 MT has 265 hp, the second-generation 6.4 AT has 267 hp, and the first-generation 6.4 AT has 280 hp. The difference between the least and most powerful 6400 cc entries is 65 hp. Buyers comparing transmissions should also note that the first-generation 6.4 AT is the only listed version with a 4-speed gearbox.
For a Coupe Hardtop, all listed choices are Automatic: the 5800 cc 5.8 AT with 255 hp, the 6600 cc 6.6 AT with 265 hp, or the 7500 cc 7.5 AT with 325 hp. For an Estate 5-door, the third generation offers the 265 hp 6.4 MT and the 338 hp 6.9 MT. The fifth-generation Sedan has a single listed choice, the 265 hp 6.6 AT. Cabrio buyers can compare the first- and second-generation 6.4 MT and 6.4 AT versions, with listed outputs ranging from 215 hp to 280 hp.