I love the 65 Pontiacs!!! My aunt had a 65 Pontiac Grand Prix with the 8 lug wheels, the translucent steering wheel & three 2 bbl carburators!!! She drove with a lead foot too!!! 👍👍🙂
@@christopherkraft1327 we had 6 Pontiacs 1965-66 and we sold our GTO convertible recently. I shouldn’t have. But I’ve got some cool videos of them here on RUclips.
In 1977, in HS, I bought a 1966 Bonneville (bomb-a-ville) from a nun at my school. Sweet ride. Paid $200 for a car iwth 55,,000 miles. Needed premium but was worth every drop. 389 with weber downdrafts. Not a racer, but damn fast cruiser. Nice trip down memory lane. Thanks.
$200 from a NUN? She was styl'n. That was a major, major score. I bought in 76 a 1967 396 Chevy Impala Super Sport with 70k miles for $450.00. And the car was probably in half the condition of what you bought.
Another great review. The ‘65s truly were Pontiacs moment - I think you’ve pointed this out before; the entire lineup won Motor Trends COY - back when that really meant something. One thing people don’t appreciate as much today was the lengths Pontiac went too in an effort to create a unique sound. They used resonators at the rear on full size bodies to help emphasize a low frequency rumble or burble. This was always noticeable at idle and one of my favorite memories of the era. They quit doing this by the mid 1970’s and frankly not an expense that most replacement systems included but it was a hidden component of the signature sound. What a time to be a kid in the back seat!
@@boblozaintherealworld3577 - "Muscle cars" are mid sized cars with the engines from a full size car... this is simply a kinda fast full size car... and a faster one was also an option...
@@BuzzLOLOL You are absolutely correct, sir. I was (mistakenly) referring to the American cars of the mid-1950's to the early 1960's. Earliest example, in my opinion, would be the 1956 Chrysler 300. You think?
in 1988 my sister and I were riding in Dads Pontiac. Same Catalina, same engine. I will never forget the look on that kids face when his 88 Fox Body 302 got dusted by my lil sis in an OLD car. We didnt have much back then, but that damn Pony was no joke.
Damn… pausing frame @ 10:43, noticing two lines lower, just ONE SINGLE unit was Special Order for Police! Leaves me wondering how much that one’s worth? Nevertheless, this one you’re showcasing is still freakin’ sweet!
America's "Ventura Highway" refers to the Ventura Freeway (US 101) in Southern California, which runs from the suburban southern San Fernando Valley to the Ventura/Santa Barbara county line. Construction began and was initially completed in 1960. Also, Gordon Lightfoot was inspired to write "Carefree Highway" after passing an exit sign while traveling along I-17 in North Phoenix, Arizona. The road is otherwise known as Arizona Route 7, which runs west I-17 to its junction with US 60 south of Wickenburg.
Mid 60's Pontiacs were at the pinnacle of their design and very influential across the board in my opinion. Other manufacturers tried to emulate them with stacked headlights and that coke bottle shape. I still remember my father having a '66 2+2 Catalina on order in the fall of 1965 at a local Pontiac dealer, when he happened to stop in to check on the status of his order. Sitting on the showroom floor was a gorgeous green '66 Bonneville convertible with black leather seats. He decided to drop his order and bought the Bonneville. That thing was like an aircraft carrier, a huge car, but really stunningly beautiful.
Pontiacs were one step above Chevrolet. Basically comparable to Fords. My dad skipped straight from chev to olds to cad. No prestige in a Pontiac. Dodge alternative.
great video.When I was a kid,my dad had a 65 Bonneville sedan.Beautiful car,we drove it out to Los Angeles on a trip,and then also to Idaho (from Texas both times).On the first trip,my dad failed to have the carburators adjusted before we got into the higher elevations of the High Rockies,which caused my dad to curse the car,until we pulled into a lonely service station in a small town in Colorado.The mechanic kind of laughed,adjusted the carbs,and my dad was a little embarrassed
@@danielulz1640 but Adam's '65 Bonneville have butterfly pattern wipers as well as similar to this Catalina from a car show on other video :) seems that we need a real Pontiac nerd to solve this mystery for us)
Adam that’s a lovely car review. I’m in the Uk an I remember seeing a one of these in silver with lovely red Upholstery. Just beautiful and so rare in the Uk . Brings back sweet memories Thank you . 🇬🇧🇺🇸
I have always been a fan of Pontiacs and was sad to see them go. They were my favorite car growing up. The 65 had such amazing lines and the tripower was quite the sleeper hot rod. Thanks for all your videos.
I own a 2009 Pontiac Soltice, black and chrome, 5 speed turbo convertible. The last year made for pontiac. I love it. 280 hp. Handles perfect. Bought it in 2012 with 15,000 miles for $12,000. I will keep this one forever.
Keep it!!! I bought my Grand Am in January 2012 for $950 and 177k miles. It now has 322k miles. Juts had the synchros replaced. Need to find some time to replace the clutch and other stuffs.
Adam: You’ve got the ’66 Pontiac Catalina and the ’67 Olds Delta 88…..how about adding a ’66 Buick Wildcat GS to the collection?…preferably in Flame Red, no vinyl top.
I love the full size Pontiacs, especially the 421 2+2 with buckets and console. I believe there was also the Executive, which was a lower cost Catalina style trim on the Bonneville platform.
I had a '67 Ventura 4-Dr hardtop for a few years. I also preferred the styling of the earlier cars. '65 was the best, '66 was ok, but they were starting to lose it in '67. Mike had a 400 with a 2 barrel. It wasn't a hot rod, but a great freeway sled, and I would get 18 mpg driving from Albuquerque to Los Alamos, which is a drive that involves lots of grades and high elevations. I was making that commute periodically back in the late 90s when gas was cheap. It was down to $0.87 per gallon at one point (December of 1999, I believe). It was a 200 mile round-trip so I would just top off the (32 gallon) gas tank on my way home in the evening. It would cost about $10-15.
We had a 1967 Grand Prix, the only full size Pontiac in 1967 with hidden headlights.. That looked much better to me than the other full sized Pontiacs that year with the stacked headlights.
I inherited a 65 Catalina from my gandmother in the 1980's...she never drove the thing. Sat in a garage for years. Only had 3,000 miles on it....tan. It blew everyone else off the road. It got stolen by some jackarse that moved here from out of state and sold it in Mexico.
Those Pontiac engines were fabulous. I remember when I was a teen. We were driving on an highway in Northern Italy with our entire family in the 65 Bonenville convertible. In the rear view mirror we spotted a Ferrari and a Lancia racing at high speed. For once my Dad was mean and he told me: Son, I show you what torque is. He stayed on the left lane: In Europe you are not allowed to pass on the right. He even slowed donwn to about 70 miles per hour. The Italian sport cars were forced to slow down. Then my father made a kickdown. And the Pontiac shot forward at an amazing rate. I tell you: Within a minute the Ferrari and Lancia were hardly visible in ther rear mirror. They were probably half a mile behind us! I must ad: The older generation of my family owned a lot of high end Italian sports cars as well. Maseratis, Alfa Romeos and such. I have a friend who restores and deals with classic cars for Decades: He told me: I owned Ferraris, Maseratis and other Italian sports cars. But he said: My really "evil" engined US cars were faster accelerating.
I was a Pontiac guy back in the '60s. My first Pontiac was a 58 starchief. The second was a 62 Grand Prix. It had the big 389 with three twos. 348 horsepower. 13 straight trophies at the drag strip. The next one was a 65 2 + 2 421 HO 4 speed 376hp. I could routinely blow the doors off of GTOs. Got in a race with a GTO down in New Orleans. Was kicking his butt. However, this time when I slam third gear, it blew the transmission all over the pavement. The good news was that Pontiac repaired the car on warranty for me. The Hurst shifter was a junk. I broke the rod off one night slamming third gear. That's when I changed over to a real Hurst shifter. I went crazy with the options list that year. Had almost every option they offered and there were a bunch. Things like a calibrated speedometer, extra frame member, the wheels that you see in this picture, and so forth. It was a great car. Next was a 67 Firebird 400 HO. Another great car. But in 1969 I switched to Corvettes. I still have my 70 Corvette. In fact I'm just painting it again now.
Well we are the lucky generation who could still experience those great cars. And you held on to the wonderful GM cars of the Golden Age. No car ever since was better than the good old things that were built til 72. Honestly my first cars in Europe were Italian cars and German GMs. But since I am 21 years old I always owned at least one fullsize GM. And I never sold or dumped even one.
i also had a 62 gp with the348 hp 389 with the wide ratio 4 speed and 323 rear gears, what a great car, and such a good looking car, i wish i had it today.
A true classic. We had one but not in the 421 package or trim. But thr 389 2 bbl. auto couls still spin the tires when new & the engine & tranny were tight. A great car. It's a good thing we didn't have a 421, I'd be in real trouble constantly as an 18 yr. old.
This video was worth watching if nothing more than for the eight lug wheel information. I had no idea they were actually built in that manner. Now it makes sense why they went away once disc brakes were common.
The Pontiac 3-2s were more like a six barrel carb. The center carb was active all the time and the end carburetors only kicked in at full throttle. The only tuning was to make sure the linkage properly open the end Carburetors fully at the same time.
My dad had a 1965 Catalina Ventura , White with aqua interior. Had the 421 4 BBL . with automatic transmission. I loved that car but he used it as a trade in on a 1969 Cadillac, I never did like that caddy! LOL!
Good review! What a fantastic example of a gorgeous car. And a perfect color! Younger folks might not remember that before the intermediate muscle car craze (kicked off by the GTO in 1964), big performance cars ruled the road. And no one did it better than Pontiac.
I didn't know the Starchief was still available in the US in 1965 and don't think I've ever seen one - and I've been around long enough to remember these from new. Adam's 1965 Catalina coupe is one of my favorites. The Turquoise is a popular and nice color.
I even learned some things: While I knew that there was a Starchief in 65 I did not know anything specific about it. Pontiac had two different Turquoise colors. Both were absolutely stunning: Teal Turqoise and the other one: Reef Turquoise.
My dad had a '59 Star Chief that he always complained was a gas-guzzler. He had another carburetor put on it that didn't help the gas consumption much but DID kill the power. It was a hot car originally. Fortunately(?) he traded it off before I started driving and bought me a '54 Chevy. 😄
'65 was probably one of the best years for American cars during that decade. Ford Mustang, Chevy Impala Super Sport( w/duel antennas) Ford Galaxie. And the T-Bird with the nice full rear sequential turn signals, to name just a few.
My first purchased car in 1970 at age 16 was a ‘65 burgundy Impala SS with white interior, bucket seats, and center console. The SS designation was more of a trim vs performance upgrade, as mine had the 283” 2-bbl engine and two-speed PowerGlide automatic. While I loved it, I always wanted a ‘65 Catalina.
Back in 1965 my dad had been driving Pontiacs for 6 years and was known by his salesman as a guy who loved the hotter versions, and so would get called whenever something that might interest dad's power love. One of those was a red version of this car with the 8 lug wheels and the 376 hp version of the 421. What a blast that was to ride in! Float down the road like a Cadillac but then by planting the gas pedal to the floor and it turned into a beast!
My first new car was a 65 Catalina 2 door hardtop. I think Pontiac peaked that year. The car fast and beautiful. Others also thought so. It was stolen 3 times. Still miss it.
The 1965 full-size Pontiacs, especially the Catalina Ventura & Grand Prix models, were gorgeous, but they looked so much better without those God-awful fender skirts. On my 1965 Cadillac Sedan deVille, the fender skirts were appropriate, but on the Pontiacs they were pretentious and gave the cars an unnecessarily fat-ass look.
I just pulled a 2+2 out of a barn this week. Checked the protecto plate and it’s a numbers matching engine. 1966 fact air, Fontaine blue with white buckets, no console and column shift auto.
Good find. My Uncle owned a 65 Bonneville in the same color/interior combo, with 389 tri-power, 4 speed. Great looking and running car until he rammed a utility pole.
It looked like Pontiac, not like a Chevy, and most other cars made. GM, let your stylists go crazy. People will buy a sub standard car that has awesome looks. I'm not saying GM cars are sub standard, but I'm not saying they are best in class either. Owned a '65 Corvair Convertible since 1983!
Adam, Always great to watch your videos. As to your video of the 1965 Catalina w/421, you went thru all the full-size Pontiac models yet seemed to overlook the 2+2 ("two plus two") that came standard with the 421. I used to walk by a white 2+2 back in 1965 when I was going to the Univ. of Texas. My 1963 Tempest coupe V-326 3-speed cowered in its shadow. Loved all your programs from your back porch talks on engines and transmissions to your fantastic interviews with Bob Lutz and all the other GM design gurus. Keep up your great work! Jerry Staley Dickinson,, TX
Adam, excellent as always. How could any one imagine that Pontiac pre dated formula 1 and Indy racing car design with the coke bottle shape? Keep on the good work!
Had a blue 2 dr ‘72 Pontiac Catalina with the 455 c.i. single 4 bbl carburetor engine. Needed a posi-trac rear axle because the 455’s torque was too much and would almost set one rear tire ablaze! It was the best riding vehicle I ever owned!
When I was 17 I stopped to help a middle aged lady at the local donut shop who had flooded her car. The old days we would remove the top of the air cleaner an hold the butterfly open to get it to start. Well popped her hood and she had the high performance version of this. Engine fully chromed out. Dropped my jaw. Her comment to me was her husband did this and she hated it. At 17 it took all my restraint not to say something. But got her started put the air cleaner back and sent her on her way.
My granddad tells me over and over how he wishes he still had his Pontiac Catalina 2+2. I think 67 year model. He said it had 3” dual exhaust from the factory, 3 two barrel carbs, 4 speed manual with the 421 HO v8. Said that car was the fastest thing around. I love when he tells me the stories of him in that car. Hurtin feelings all around with it.
I have a 1963 Bonneville Sport Coupe 389 4bbl and you're right- the rear 3/4 and head-on views of these 60s Pontiacs, well... There's nothing like them!
My Dad’s first car a 65 Catalina w/ Ventura trim in Metalic slate mist. W/ vinyl top skirts curb springs on the passenger side. He picked up the car for my mom’s birthday in December of 64. Mom learned how to drive it that beautiful beast.
My high school friend in 1972 drove an early 1960s Pontiac Bonneville with a four speed transmission and bench seat. He said his father special ordered it.
A lot of times they were replacing old engines with new ones and maybe had to keep building old ones due to lack of manufacturing capacity. The Japanese seem to introduce a new engine like every two years. Americans, no. In the 1950s engines were rather small compared to the 60s. Let the good times rip. Thats what happens when you put the Shah in power in Iran.
Until the mid-Sixties the government wasn't involved with automotive design. Nowadays, engine designs have to receive EPA certification before they can be offered for sale. The effort necessary to meet ever-tightening environmental regulations has caused the manufacturers to severely reduce the engine options.
The Big Three offered various engines based on the car size, compact, mid-size, and full-sized. Let me use 1968 Plymouth for example. The A-body compact like the Valiant, came with a 225 cubic inch six. The other engine was a 318 cubic inch V8. Barracudas were special. They offered the previous two engines plus the new 340 V8 and the 383 V8. B-bodies offered the 225, 318, 383 2bbl, 383 4 bbl, 426 Hemi, and 440 (375 HP) V8s. The cars were the Belvedere, Satellite, Road Runner, and GTX. C-bodies, or Furies, offered the 225, 318, 383-2, 383-4 (a slightly different engine than the RR), and 440 (350 HP). You couldn't get the 340 in the A, B, or C bodies. You couldn't get the 426 in anything but the B-bodies. The oddball was the LO23 Hemi Darts, but they were special orders and your dealership wasn't likely to have one that wasn't already sold. GM and Ford had similar options for their cars. It was a great time...one hour of work at the minimum wage bought 10 gallons of gas, and cars went faster every year.
Reminds me of my 65 goat, (trips and a stick), that I painted the same color, (in the late 70s). These 65 full sizes were so nice this year, even the interiors. This car has it all. Stick shift, trips, and "no A/C"!. love it.
My friends 64 GTO 389 4 bbl, 4 speed would really haul ass. Dangerous brakes and suspension but it really hauled. Odd this guy did'nt get the top engine with his 4 speed. Big extra charge?
Just to note, due to a wonderful connection with George Hurst all 4-speed Pontiacs had Hurst shifters. My Dad's '63 Grand Prix and '64 Tri-Power/no console Bonneville convertible both had one. This was a wonderful time for full-size Pontiacs, The top-of-the-line though was the Catalina 2+2 which had a 376 hp 421 available. One thing not mentioned and seldom heard about is the transmission whine those 4-speeds had - it was almost hypnotic - and you could use it as a shift reminder as well.
I owned a 1966 2+2 with the same setup in Caribbean blue with white interior, center console and white vinyl top. Punch it and the front end would rise up and the engine would roar. Sucked gas like you couldn't believe - and that was when gas was less than $0.50 gal.
My dream car. One fabulous automobile. I love Pontiacs of the 60s. Had a '68 Catalina back in '76. How I miss that beautiful car! Nice job on this video. Reminds me of the good ole days!.
First car I ever owned bought it oxidized knocking for 400.00 everyone envied the strongest most reliable safest never get stuck passing All ice and snow xo 🙏 always LVD that car. Second purchase My beautiful just as sought and I always got begged to sell it to too many people to remember the count** beloved 67 Lemans GTO my precious grandma bought for me cz after 🙏 praying early am one really neat and blessed day she said come we're going to town God told me to buy you a car 🚗 My beloved GTO was her n I'd actually chose a convertible Chevy but My grandma RIP PRECIOUS Gramma and the dealership Man said that GTO is your perfect car exactly 💯 for you. I drove her away xoxo 😘 💜 memoirs God is good 👍🙌 LOVE 💖 HIM FOREVER FATHER KNOWS BEST
You did the beautiful 1965 Pontiac’s a great service with this video. As a Ford guy, those Pontiac’s eclipsed all the other brands 😊. I have one bone to pick though. I owned a 1965 Mustang 2+2, K-code (front disc brakes, and a 1969 Corvette 4 wheel disc brakes. None power assisted. They were just as easy to stop or slow as any drum brake vehicle I have ever driven. Thanks for the nice video.
I've got to correct you on the brakes my good man! I had a 66 Catalina Ventura with the 8 lugs. I bought it from my old boss who between him and another guy that owned a company called gear works in Washington, bought up about 300 sets over 20 years of these wheels and every damn one of them were warped. Because the drum itself is aluminum but the brake lining is steel, so imagine what happens when they heat up under normal operating temperature... they expand differently and it warps the aluminum which produces massive brake pulse and fade. Poor design. So they were never effective and never lasted more than a few thousand miles before warping.
Adam thank you for your video I have 1965 Pontiac Grand prix Which you can see on my Avatar it is very rare car it has The WF motor 389 Tri power 338 horse power Munice 4 Speed trans .Only 426 engines produced you can see on your Pontiac engine production sheet For ,1965 it's also on you tube Shows with boshere on 1965 grand prix 65 posted by corvairwild also on my site Rich the Pontiac guy S .PS love your Bonneville
1965 was a particularly good year for Pontiac. They finally dumped that horrible slim-jim transmission and used THM-400 in the automatic transmission cars.
I knew a guy that had a 65 Bonneville that his dad bought new it was ordered with almost every option available, there was maybe 3 options it didn't have become a option deleted a option it had a 3x2 421 with a TH 400, It had so many options it had two window sticker's and was pushing $6600 in 1965
My first car was a 67 Grand Safari wagon. It had the 389 2brl. Me n my friends called it the war wagon. You could fit 8 ppl n 2 stallion kegs in back. It wasn't quick but it was fast if you put your foot down😀
I had a light green 1963 Pontiac Gran Prix automatic with a 421 and 3 two barrels. It was all power with A/C and a white interior. It was a monster and beautiful. It was brought to a bank by a banker that dealt in used cars. It may have been a COPO car since the info showed it was originally owned by a lawyer in Detroit. I looked for another for years when I had the resources to buy one. Never ran into another one. Catalinas but no GP's.
I'm questioning the parallel windshield wipers. I thought all 65 and 66 full size Pontiacs had butterfly style wipers. I also thought that it was the Canadian Pontiacs that had the parallel wipers. Maybe just the Catalina had the parallels? Whatever the case, that car would be so cool to drive!
How did we happen to lose that pool of talented-car-designers that existed in the fifties, sixties and the seventies?🧐🚗
Yes . Too much input from the beancounters .
Yes, but I enjoy driving a new angry faced pile of plastic. ... miss my 65 Bonneville.
The design talent is still there but the requirements from government regulation for safety and mileage has neutered them.
Apparently the narcotics-fueled Chrysler designers survived and now work for Hyundai
Agreed! Lack of creativity today. Dull and boring.
I love the 65 Pontiacs!!! My aunt had a 65 Pontiac Grand Prix with the 8 lug wheels, the translucent steering wheel & three 2 bbl carburators!!! She drove with a lead foot too!!! 👍👍🙂
Yes the translucient oval shaped steering wheel is stunning! I have friend with a GP. But honestly I prefer the roofline of the Catalina 2d ht.
I’ve got a 65 with 8 lugs and 37k original miles. I love this car!
@@garrettbenson7743 Wow, you have a great Pontiac!!! 👍👍🙂
@@christopherkraft1327 we had 6 Pontiacs 1965-66 and we sold our GTO convertible recently. I shouldn’t have. But I’ve got some cool videos of them here on RUclips.
01:08 Guess that Star Chief name slipped by me unnoticed back in the day... but I was more into GTO size vehicles...
In 1977, in HS, I bought a 1966 Bonneville (bomb-a-ville) from a nun at my school. Sweet ride. Paid $200 for a car iwth 55,,000 miles. Needed premium but was worth every drop. 389 with weber downdrafts. Not a racer, but damn fast cruiser. Nice trip down memory lane. Thanks.
Best story I have heard in a long time.
$200 from a NUN? She was styl'n. That was a major, major score. I bought in 76 a 1967 396 Chevy Impala Super Sport with 70k miles for $450.00. And the car was probably in half the condition of what you bought.
I could hit a cow at 90 mph in west Texas with my 65 Cat...and not even feel a thump.
You had a sweet car there. We could not buy the 66 Bonneville in Canada. Only the Pontiac Parisienne which looked similar but smaller.
@@mckessa17 My dad had a '66 Grande Parisienne. Great car!
Another great review. The ‘65s truly were Pontiacs moment - I think you’ve pointed this out before; the entire lineup won Motor Trends COY - back when that really meant something. One thing people don’t appreciate as much today was the lengths Pontiac went too in an effort to create a unique sound. They used resonators at the rear on full size bodies to help emphasize a low frequency rumble or burble. This was always noticeable at idle and one of my favorite memories of the era. They quit doing this by the mid 1970’s and frankly not an expense that most replacement systems included but it was a hidden component of the signature sound. What a time to be a kid in the back seat!
Was waiting to hear the sound of the tripower kicking in out on the road... although that style air cleaner may be rather quiet...
@@BuzzLOLOL - oh, I think that trio of two barrels could howl loud enough that even that large A/C couldn't contain it!
a beautiful big-ass automobile. it was among the ORIGINAL muscle cars.
@@boblozaintherealworld3577 - "Muscle cars" are mid sized cars with the engines from a full size car... this is simply a kinda fast full size car... and a faster one was also an option...
@@BuzzLOLOL You are absolutely correct, sir. I was (mistakenly) referring to the American cars of the mid-1950's to the early 1960's. Earliest example, in my opinion, would be the 1956 Chrysler 300. You think?
in 1988 my sister and I were riding in Dads Pontiac. Same Catalina, same engine. I will never forget the look on that kids face when his 88 Fox Body 302 got dusted by my lil sis in an OLD car. We didnt have much back then, but that damn Pony was no joke.
Damn… pausing frame @ 10:43, noticing two lines lower, just ONE SINGLE unit was Special Order for Police! Leaves me wondering how much that one’s worth? Nevertheless, this one you’re showcasing is still freakin’ sweet!
I love the stacked headlights on Pontiacs! Sharp!
Wonderful GM cars that you could identify at a distance 😊
Adam, Now yer talkin' 🤩🤩 I wonder if the 1965 Pontiac Catalina Ventura was the inspiration for the classic America song "Ventura Highway". 🤔
America's "Ventura Highway" refers to the Ventura Freeway (US 101) in Southern California, which runs from the suburban southern San Fernando Valley to the Ventura/Santa Barbara county line. Construction began and was initially completed in 1960. Also, Gordon Lightfoot was inspired to write "Carefree Highway" after passing an exit sign while traveling along I-17 in North Phoenix, Arizona. The road is otherwise known as Arizona Route 7, which runs west I-17 to its junction with US 60 south of Wickenburg.
Mid 60's Pontiacs were at the pinnacle of their design and very influential across the board in my opinion. Other manufacturers tried to emulate them with stacked headlights and that coke bottle shape. I still remember my father having a '66 2+2 Catalina on order in the fall of 1965 at a local Pontiac dealer, when he happened to stop in to check on the status of his order. Sitting on the showroom floor was a gorgeous green '66 Bonneville convertible with black leather seats. He decided to drop his order and bought the Bonneville. That thing was like an aircraft carrier, a huge car, but really stunningly beautiful.
At that time my dad had a '66 Grande Parisienne and I agree that the design of the '65 and '66 Pontiacs was simply stunning!
I don't know why anyone ever bought Cadillacs when Potiacs were this good and cheaper.
Pontiacs were one step above Chevrolet. Basically comparable to Fords. My dad skipped straight from chev to olds to cad. No prestige in a Pontiac. Dodge alternative.
great video.When I was a kid,my dad had a 65 Bonneville sedan.Beautiful car,we drove it out to Los Angeles on a trip,and then also to Idaho (from Texas both times).On the first trip,my dad failed to have the carburators adjusted before we got into the higher elevations of the High Rockies,which caused my dad to curse the car,until we pulled into a lonely service station in a small town in Colorado.The mechanic kind of laughed,adjusted the carbs,and my dad was a little embarrassed
Great story.
I whish I could make a trip in 65 Bonnie in the US. But I am from EU.
Interesting why does this Catalina have a Canadian-style wipers?)
I was thinking the exact same thing.
Good catch
I think that they were changed for the 66 model year.
@@danielulz1640 but Adam's '65 Bonneville have butterfly pattern wipers as well as similar to this Catalina from a car show on other video :) seems that we need a real Pontiac nerd to solve this mystery for us)
Adam that’s a lovely car review. I’m in the Uk an I remember seeing a one of these in silver with lovely red Upholstery. Just beautiful and so rare in the Uk . Brings back sweet memories Thank you . 🇬🇧🇺🇸
I have always loved the big body Pontiacs, great lines and strong engines !!
I have always been a fan of Pontiacs and was sad to see them go. They were my favorite car growing up. The 65 had such amazing lines and the tripower was quite the sleeper hot rod. Thanks for all your videos.
From 1961 through 1969 Pontiac was firing on all cylinders.. Pontiacs just roared that era.
I own a 2009 Pontiac Soltice, black and chrome, 5 speed turbo convertible. The last year made for pontiac. I love it. 280 hp. Handles perfect. Bought it in 2012 with 15,000 miles for $12,000. I will keep this one forever.
Totally agree, & the '66 model was a real beauty also!
@@KB-ke3fi Solstice. 😊
Keep it!!! I bought my Grand Am in January 2012 for $950 and 177k miles. It now has 322k miles. Juts had the synchros replaced. Need to find some time to replace the clutch and other stuffs.
Nothin prettier !
Adam: You’ve got the ’66 Pontiac Catalina and the ’67 Olds Delta 88…..how about adding a ’66 Buick Wildcat GS to the collection?…preferably in Flame Red, no vinyl top.
1965 was the best year ever for cars and music.
One of the neatest and best cars I ever seen. I remember when I was kid one of my neighbors had one. Thanks for the video Adam.
👏👏👏👏
@@rightlanehog3151 🍜
I love the full size Pontiacs, especially the 421 2+2 with buckets and console. I believe there was also the Executive, which was a lower cost Catalina style trim on the Bonneville platform.
Adam, I love your Marina Turquoise Catalina.Mike the Greek
Me too man, thats one of my top 3 Adamobiles.
Big Chief ruled the roost.
My dad’s first new car was a ‘67 Catalina. It holds a special place in my heart, but the styling of the ‘65 was vastly superior.
I had a '67 Ventura 4-Dr hardtop for a few years. I also preferred the styling of the earlier cars. '65 was the best, '66 was ok, but they were starting to lose it in '67.
Mike had a 400 with a 2 barrel. It wasn't a hot rod, but a great freeway sled, and I would get 18 mpg driving from Albuquerque to Los Alamos, which is a drive that involves lots of grades and high elevations. I was making that commute periodically back in the late 90s when gas was cheap. It was down to $0.87 per gallon at one point (December of 1999, I believe). It was a 200 mile round-trip so I would just top off the (32 gallon) gas tank on my way home in the evening. It would cost about $10-15.
We had a 1967 Grand Prix, the only full size Pontiac in 1967 with hidden headlights.. That looked much better to me than the other full sized Pontiacs that year with the stacked headlights.
I inherited a 65 Catalina from my gandmother in the 1980's...she never drove the thing. Sat in a garage for years. Only had 3,000 miles on it....tan. It blew everyone else off the road. It got stolen by some jackarse that moved here from out of state and sold it in Mexico.
@@MarinCipollina My friend owns a 67 Grand Prix: Yeah: The headlights on the 67 Pontiacs were hidious. At least the Grand Prix is hiding the ugliness.
@@KB-ke3fi what happens when a stolen car gets sold in mexico? how did you find out that history?
My Dad has a 65 Bonneville with 421 motor, that thing was a torque monster and rode like a caddie.
Those Pontiac engines were fabulous. I remember when I was a teen. We were driving on an highway in Northern Italy with our entire family in the 65 Bonenville convertible.
In the rear view mirror we spotted a Ferrari and a Lancia racing at high speed.
For once my Dad was mean and he told me: Son, I show you what torque is. He stayed on the left lane: In Europe you are not allowed to pass on the right. He even slowed donwn to about 70 miles per hour. The Italian sport cars were forced to slow down. Then my father made a kickdown. And the Pontiac shot forward at an amazing rate. I tell you: Within a minute the Ferrari and Lancia were hardly visible in ther rear mirror. They were probably half a mile behind us! I must ad: The older generation of my family owned a lot of high end Italian sports cars as well. Maseratis, Alfa Romeos and such.
I have a friend who restores and deals with classic cars for Decades: He told me: I owned Ferraris, Maseratis and other Italian sports cars. But he said: My really "evil" engined US cars were faster accelerating.
I was a Pontiac guy back in the '60s. My first Pontiac was a 58 starchief. The second was a 62 Grand Prix. It had the big 389 with three twos. 348 horsepower. 13 straight trophies at the drag strip.
The next one was a 65 2 + 2 421 HO 4 speed 376hp. I could routinely blow the doors off of GTOs. Got in a race with a GTO down in New Orleans. Was kicking his butt. However, this time when I slam third gear, it blew the transmission all over the pavement. The good news was that Pontiac repaired the car on warranty for me. The Hurst shifter was a junk. I broke the rod off one night slamming third gear. That's when I changed over to a real Hurst shifter. I went crazy with the options list that year. Had almost every option they offered and there were a bunch. Things like a calibrated speedometer, extra frame member, the wheels that you see in this picture, and so forth. It was a great car. Next was a 67 Firebird 400 HO. Another great car. But in 1969 I switched to Corvettes. I still have my 70 Corvette. In fact I'm just painting it again now.
Well we are the lucky generation who could still experience those great cars. And you held on to the wonderful GM cars of the Golden Age. No car ever since was better than the good old things that were built til 72.
Honestly my first cars in Europe were Italian cars and German GMs. But since I am 21 years old I always owned at least one fullsize GM. And I never sold or dumped even one.
i also had a 62 gp with the348 hp 389 with the wide ratio 4 speed and 323 rear gears, what a great car, and such a good looking car, i wish i had it today.
What an awesome car. Thanks for the video of it.
A true classic. We had one but not in the 421 package or trim. But thr 389 2 bbl. auto couls still spin the tires when new & the engine & tranny were tight. A great car. It's a good thing we didn't have a 421, I'd be in real trouble constantly as an 18 yr. old.
This video was worth watching if nothing more than for the eight lug wheel information. I had no idea they were actually built in that manner. Now it makes sense why they went away once disc brakes were common.
Peak GM. How hard are those 3 duces to tune?
Leave carbs alone and they are no problem. Every dummy 14 year old thinks he can get an extra 100 HP by goofing with the carbs.
The Pontiac 3-2s were more like a six barrel carb. The center carb was active all the time and the end carburetors only kicked in at full throttle. The only tuning was to make sure the linkage properly open the end Carburetors fully at the same time.
This is the Car my Grandfather had, 421 and all.. bought it new in 1965, and had it until his death in 1970...
My dad had a 1965 Catalina Ventura , White with aqua interior. Had the 421 4 BBL . with automatic transmission. I loved that car but he used it as a trade in on a 1969 Cadillac, I never did like that caddy! LOL!
I can definitely see the term Coke bottle being used in other situations
Mid 60's Pontiacs are the best. Great review on a very rarecar.
Totally one of my favorite Pontiacs. The styling was amazing. I personally liked the 2+2 more but this car is amazing. Thanks for sharing!
Imagine finding that only "WL" code manual tricarb 421 cop car. Holy shit!!
I wonder which Dept bought it if any? It probably got crushed decades ago.
The windshild wipers are like our Canadian built Pontiacs. Why is that?
Because Canadians are the smartest.
Pontiac was my fav GM
Dad had a 63 Catalina and "kids" always wanted to challenge him at the lights.
Good review! What a fantastic example of a gorgeous car. And a perfect color!
Younger folks might not remember that before the intermediate muscle car craze (kicked off by the GTO in 1964), big performance cars ruled the road. And no one did it better than Pontiac.
I didn't know the Starchief was still available in the US in 1965 and don't think I've ever seen one - and I've been around long enough to remember these from new. Adam's 1965 Catalina coupe is one of my favorites. The Turquoise is a popular and nice color.
I even learned some things: While I knew that there was a Starchief in 65 I did not know anything specific about it.
Pontiac had two different Turquoise colors. Both were absolutely stunning: Teal Turqoise and the other one: Reef Turquoise.
My dad had a '59 Star Chief that he always complained was a gas-guzzler. He had another carburetor put on it that didn't help the gas consumption much but DID kill the power. It was a hot car originally. Fortunately(?) he traded it off before I started driving and bought me a '54 Chevy. 😄
My uncle had a 1967 Pontiac Tempest in blue. Smaller than the Catalina, but also beautiful. Preferable to the Camrys, Accords, and Altimas of today.
This was one smokin' vehicle!!😊😊 When I see these I always think of John Z Delorean.
You mean ripped on coke.
I like big American cars since I was a kid, but only since I subscribed to this youtube channel have I been completely satisfied. Hello from Europe!
When I was in 3rd grade a friend of mines father bought a brand new 66' Bonneville. That car was beautiful.
A friend had a '67 Catalina two door hardtop. Nice big back seat for me and my girl when we double dated
'65 was probably one of the best years for American cars during that decade. Ford Mustang, Chevy Impala Super Sport( w/duel antennas) Ford Galaxie. And the T-Bird with the nice full rear sequential turn signals, to name just a few.
Heck, one of the best years ever in US Auto History
You're right. It seems we peaked in 64-67.
My first purchased car in 1970 at age 16 was a ‘65 burgundy Impala SS with white interior, bucket seats, and center console. The SS designation was more of a trim vs performance upgrade, as mine had the 283” 2-bbl engine and two-speed PowerGlide automatic. While I loved it, I always wanted a ‘65 Catalina.
Back in 1965 my dad had been driving Pontiacs for 6 years and was known by his salesman as a guy who loved the hotter versions, and so would get called whenever something that might interest dad's power love. One of those was a red version of this car with the 8 lug wheels and the 376 hp version of the 421. What a blast that was to ride in! Float down the road like a Cadillac but then by planting the gas pedal to the floor and it turned into a beast!
My first new car was a 65 Catalina 2 door hardtop. I think Pontiac peaked that year. The car fast and beautiful. Others also thought so. It was stolen 3 times. Still miss it.
Oh yes, I agree, the 65 Pontiac was the best design.
Those headlights!❤
stolen 3 times, yikes. just joy riding it and found fast? my first car was 65 impala. no one stole that.
Too bad the 1965 didn't have the 1966 rear and tail lights.. Those long Bonneville tail lights for 1966 were perfect.
The 1965 full-size Pontiacs, especially the Catalina Ventura & Grand Prix models, were gorgeous, but they looked so much better without those God-awful fender skirts. On my 1965 Cadillac Sedan deVille, the fender skirts were appropriate, but on the Pontiacs they were pretentious and gave the cars an unnecessarily fat-ass look.
DAMN that is a gorgeous car.
A magazine tested a 2+2 and got 0-60 in 3.9 seconds, using cheater slicks.
This was faster than a production GTO.
It was a ringer prepped by Royal Pontiac tuners, not standard production.
I just pulled a 2+2 out of a barn this week. Checked the protecto plate and it’s a numbers matching engine. 1966 fact air, Fontaine blue with white buckets, no console and column shift auto.
Good find. My Uncle owned a 65 Bonneville in the same color/interior combo, with 389 tri-power, 4 speed. Great looking and running car until he rammed a utility pole.
@@allanfranklin9615 holy cow! I love these cars. I’ve got 6 Pontiacs
I love this boy. It’s elegant and kind of sporty.
1965 & 1966 full sized Pontiac’s were my favorite. The transition was already underway to mid sized cars as the performance mule.
63 to 65 are some of the best Pontiac's ever, just change to a "Duel Master Cylinder."
John Z. Delorean had a lot to do with wide-track Pontiac designs..I so love those cars in the 60s.. 😊😊
It looked like Pontiac, not like a Chevy, and most other cars made. GM, let your stylists go crazy. People will buy a sub standard car that has awesome looks. I'm not saying GM cars are sub standard, but I'm not saying they are best in class either. Owned a '65 Corvair Convertible since 1983!
Awesome car one of my favourites
Perhaps your best video 👍🏻
Adam,
Always great to watch your videos. As to your video of the 1965 Catalina w/421, you went thru all the full-size Pontiac models yet seemed to overlook the 2+2 ("two plus two") that came standard with the 421. I used to walk by a white 2+2 back in 1965 when I was going to the Univ. of Texas. My 1963 Tempest coupe V-326 3-speed cowered in its shadow.
Loved all your programs from your back porch talks on engines and transmissions to your fantastic interviews with Bob Lutz and all the other GM design gurus.
Keep up your great work!
Jerry Staley
Dickinson,, TX
Love the full size GM Pillar-less coupes. Also the 8 lug wheels. Grampy's hot rod. Thank you so much.
The paint job on cars did not peel or fade with the laminated plastic!
Adam, excellent as always. How could any one imagine that Pontiac pre dated formula 1 and Indy racing car design with the coke bottle shape? Keep on the good work!
Really ahead of it's time.
Cars then were designed to be beautiful. Now it’s all aerodynamics. I was just 3 in 1965 … sadly, not quite car buying age.
Trucks and SUVs are barn doors going down the road.
Nice.
Had a blue 2 dr ‘72 Pontiac Catalina with the 455 c.i. single 4 bbl carburetor engine. Needed a posi-trac rear axle because the 455’s torque was too much and would almost set one rear tire ablaze! It was the best riding vehicle I ever owned!
When I was 17 I stopped to help a middle aged lady at the local donut shop who had flooded her car. The old days we would remove the top of the air cleaner an hold the butterfly open to get it to start. Well popped her hood and she had the high performance version of this. Engine fully chromed out. Dropped my jaw. Her comment to me was her husband did this and she hated it. At 17 it took all my restraint not to say something. But got her started put the air cleaner back and sent her on her way.
My granddad tells me over and over how he wishes he still had his Pontiac Catalina 2+2. I think 67 year model. He said it had 3” dual exhaust from the factory, 3 two barrel carbs, 4 speed manual with the 421 HO v8. Said that car was the fastest thing around. I love when he tells me the stories of him in that car. Hurtin feelings all around with it.
1966 was the last year for tri-power.. Most you could get on a 1967 was a four barrel.
I have a 1963 Bonneville Sport Coupe 389 4bbl and you're right- the rear 3/4 and head-on views of these 60s Pontiacs, well... There's nothing like them!
My Dad’s first car a 65 Catalina w/ Ventura trim in Metalic slate mist. W/ vinyl top skirts curb springs on the passenger side. He picked up the car for my mom’s birthday in December of 64. Mom learned how to drive it that beautiful beast.
What a wonderfully unique car -- glad you found it and were able to feature it, Adam.
A Very Stylishly Designed Pontiac, Adam😊👍
Owned 7 Pontiacs. Loved them. 64 Bonneville Convertible was my favorite.
My high school friend in 1972 drove an early 1960s Pontiac Bonneville with a four speed transmission and bench seat. He said his father special ordered it.
Beautiful Car . The peak of the American automobile industry. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Growing up in the 80s it still blows my mind that there were so many engine choices back then.
A lot of times they were replacing old engines with new ones and maybe had to keep building old ones due to lack of manufacturing capacity. The Japanese seem to introduce a new engine like every two years. Americans, no. In the 1950s engines were rather small compared to the 60s. Let the good times rip. Thats what happens when you put the Shah in power in Iran.
Until the mid-Sixties the government wasn't involved with automotive design. Nowadays, engine designs have to receive EPA certification before they can be offered for sale. The effort necessary to meet ever-tightening environmental regulations has caused the manufacturers to severely reduce the engine options.
The Big Three offered various engines based on the car size, compact, mid-size, and full-sized. Let me use 1968 Plymouth for example.
The A-body compact like the Valiant, came with a 225 cubic inch six. The other engine was a 318 cubic inch V8.
Barracudas were special. They offered the previous two engines plus the new 340 V8 and the 383 V8.
B-bodies offered the 225, 318, 383 2bbl, 383 4 bbl, 426 Hemi, and 440 (375 HP) V8s. The cars were the Belvedere, Satellite, Road Runner, and GTX.
C-bodies, or Furies, offered the 225, 318, 383-2, 383-4 (a slightly different engine than the RR), and 440 (350 HP).
You couldn't get the 340 in the A, B, or C bodies. You couldn't get the 426 in anything but the B-bodies.
The oddball was the LO23 Hemi Darts, but they were special orders and your dealership wasn't likely to have one that wasn't already sold.
GM and Ford had similar options for their cars. It was a great time...one hour of work at the minimum wage bought 10 gallons of gas, and cars went faster every year.
i loved my 69 bonneville two door 455 wish i had it back
Great looking car with plenty of power.👍
Reminds me of my 65 goat, (trips and a stick), that I painted the same color, (in the late 70s). These 65 full sizes were so nice this year, even the interiors. This car has it all. Stick shift, trips, and "no A/C"!. love it.
My friends 64 GTO 389 4 bbl, 4 speed would really haul ass. Dangerous brakes and suspension but it really hauled. Odd this guy did'nt get the top engine with his 4 speed. Big extra charge?
I assume this would trounce a second generation GTO.
Just to note, due to a wonderful connection with George Hurst all 4-speed Pontiacs had Hurst shifters. My Dad's '63 Grand Prix and '64 Tri-Power/no console Bonneville convertible both had one. This was a wonderful time for full-size Pontiacs, The top-of-the-line though was the Catalina 2+2 which had a 376 hp 421 available. One thing not mentioned and seldom heard about is the transmission whine those 4-speeds had - it was almost hypnotic - and you could use it as a shift reminder as well.
Wouldn't all Bonnevilles come with the 421?
The only car I wish I still had. 65 Bonneville convertible, black with red interior. 389 4 barrel. auto.
I owned a 1966 2+2 with the same setup in Caribbean blue with white interior, center console and white vinyl top. Punch it and the front end would rise up and the engine would roar. Sucked gas like you couldn't believe - and that was when gas was less than $0.50 gal.
My dream car. One fabulous automobile. I love Pontiacs of the 60s. Had a '68 Catalina back in '76. How I miss that beautiful car! Nice job on this video. Reminds me of the good ole days!.
Any videos on Pontiacs are much appreciated by the Pontiac lovers. Thanks Adam!
First car I ever owned bought it oxidized knocking for 400.00 everyone envied the strongest most reliable safest never get stuck passing All ice and snow xo 🙏 always LVD that car. Second purchase My beautiful just as sought and I always got begged to sell it to too many people to remember the count** beloved 67 Lemans GTO my precious grandma bought for me cz after 🙏 praying early am one really neat and blessed day she said come we're going to town God told me to buy you a car 🚗 My beloved GTO was her n I'd actually chose a convertible Chevy but My grandma RIP PRECIOUS Gramma and the dealership Man said that GTO is your perfect car exactly 💯 for you. I drove her away xoxo 😘 💜 memoirs God is good 👍🙌 LOVE 💖 HIM FOREVER FATHER KNOWS BEST
You did the beautiful 1965 Pontiac’s a great service with this video. As a Ford guy, those Pontiac’s eclipsed all the other brands 😊. I have one bone to pick though. I owned a 1965 Mustang 2+2, K-code (front disc brakes, and a 1969 Corvette 4 wheel disc brakes. None power assisted. They were just as easy to stop or slow as any drum brake vehicle I have ever driven. Thanks for the nice video.
I've got to correct you on the brakes my good man! I had a 66 Catalina Ventura with the 8 lugs. I bought it from my old boss who between him and another guy that owned a company called gear works in Washington, bought up about 300 sets over 20 years of these wheels and every damn one of them were warped. Because the drum itself is aluminum but the brake lining is steel, so imagine what happens when they heat up under normal operating temperature... they expand differently and it warps the aluminum which produces massive brake pulse and fade. Poor design. So they were never effective and never lasted more than a few thousand miles before warping.
Adam thank you for your video I have 1965 Pontiac Grand prix Which you can see on my Avatar it is very rare car it has The WF motor 389 Tri power 338 horse power Munice 4 Speed trans .Only 426 engines produced you can see on your
Pontiac engine production sheet For ,1965 it's also on you tube Shows with boshere on 1965 grand prix 65 posted by corvairwild also on my site Rich the Pontiac guy S .PS love your Bonneville
One of my first cars was a1965 Gran. prix 389 four barrel four speed it had reverb am FM tilt wheel vacuum gauge would burn good rubber
I loved my grandfathers navy blue 65 Bonneville 4- door back in the day. Such a style back in the day.
The 67’ Catalina 2+2 with 421 ci 376 hp held the acceleration to 60 record for quite some time at 3.9 seconds!
1965 was a particularly good year for Pontiac. They finally dumped that horrible slim-jim transmission and used THM-400 in the automatic transmission cars.
I knew a guy that had a 65 Bonneville that his dad bought new it was ordered with almost every option available, there was maybe 3 options it didn't have become a option deleted a option it had a 3x2 421 with a TH 400, It had so many options it had two window sticker's and was pushing $6600 in 1965
My first car was a 67 Grand Safari wagon. It had the 389 2brl. Me n my friends called it the war wagon. You could fit
8 ppl n 2 stallion kegs in back. It wasn't quick but it was fast if you put your foot down😀
I had a light green 1963 Pontiac Gran Prix automatic with a 421 and 3 two barrels. It was all power with A/C and a white interior. It was a monster and beautiful. It was brought to a bank by a banker that dealt in used cars. It may have been a COPO car since the info showed it was originally owned by a lawyer in Detroit. I looked for another for years when I had the resources to buy one. Never ran into another one. Catalinas but no GP's.
I'm questioning the parallel windshield wipers. I thought all 65 and 66 full size Pontiacs had butterfly style wipers. I also thought that it was the Canadian Pontiacs that had the parallel wipers. Maybe just the Catalina had the parallels? Whatever the case, that car would be so cool to drive!