I’m probably biased since I own a 1965 General Motors product, but I happen to think that year and that company represents a stylistic high water mark for the American auto industry. There may have been one or two ’65 GMs that weren’t exciting, per se, but I don’t think they produced a single car that year that wasn’t at least handsome, and several qualified as stunning. My picks of the litter might be the Corvair and Riviera, but among the full-size models that represented each division’s bread and butter, I’d pick the Pontiac as my favorite. Reader Jack M. sent us this ’65 Catalina, for sale here on craigslist out of Wenatchee, Washington, and it’s a great representation of the sheer presence these big Ponchos oozed in that great year.
This profile view shows off the neat, mirror-image Coke bottle curves along the rockers and the fender line, plus the dramatic, forward-canted cowl over the upper stacked headlights that give the front end a sense of urgent momentum. The semi-fastback roofline shared with the Chevrolet, Buick, and Oldsmobile two-door hardtops (obviously, this is not the two-door sedan model, despite what the ad says) is a masterstroke of taking advantage of, and emphasizing, these cars’ prodigious length while giving them a sportier stance.
The pictures also show off a car in very nice unrestored condition. This Catalina sports just 73,900 miles and is said to be untouched both outside and in. I will point out that the cloth-and-vinyl covers on the front and rear seats are not correct, but given that we can see the piping of the original pattern underneath, they appear to be just that—covers. A cloth and vinyl combo was available on the Catalina, although a full Morrokide vinyl interior was more common; it would be interesting to see what’s under these covers, and what kind of shape it’s in.
The rest of the interior seems to be in fine fettle. The cool clear plastic steering wheel shows some hairline cracks, but isn’t falling apart as many of these wheels have done, and the center-mounted gauges canted toward the driver add a little bit of muscle car swagger to this family car interior. The column shifter controls the new-for-1965 Turbo Hydramatic torque converter three-speed automatic.
It’s not specified which engine is hooked up to that Turbo Hydramatic, although from the absence of red grille badges we can deduce that it’s not the mighty 421. That leaves us with a selection of 389-cubic inch V8s, from which we can also eliminate the Tri-Power on the basis of a too-small air cleaner. In all likelihood, this is the standard two-barrel carb version, which was good for 290 (gross) horsepower when mated to the automatic, and regardless of which 389 it is, I’m sure it cruises along just fine, especially since the seller says they’ve been using it as a daily driver for the last five years.
That, the low mileage, the original documentation, and the overall cleanliness and originality add up to a solid deal on this ’65 Catalina at the $10,000 asking price. Exceptional good looks don’t hurt, either—but I’d say that goes without saying for a 1965 GM product! Do you have a favorite ’65 GM, or a favorite year of your own?
This was exactly like my uncles car, only his was green. He had a heavy foot, and it was always a treat when he drove, compared to my old man’s driving. We got there a lot sooner. I think GM for 1965 were the best cars, across the board.
I agree, this is a very handsome car with a very fair asking price. Turn key cruiser.
As classic car collector It must include Pontiac! a year ago I bought ALL original 77 Bonneville base coupe has 8K original miles! been in storage most life has 350 4v auto , tilt steering , power windows , factory AC , factory , am/fm radio with all documentation and manuals I paid 11K for it . Not for sake just sharing Love for the Poncho!
You stole that puppy, Max!
Looks honest, turn key and cruise!!
Good luck to the new owner!!!
Gorgeous!
I don’t know. I think the 1966 Grand Prix is just a little more beautiful than the 1965.
That is just my personal opinion and I am sticking with it.
This ’65 Cat is a very good looking car but I must agree with you 100% about the ’66 GP which is a very good looking car( always wanted one).
Nathan, you nailed the article! Absolutely accurate description of these cars and GM in general (pun intended) in 1965. They are undoubtedly the most coherent designs for a large 2-door ever.
Agree, ‘65 was a true high water mark for GM. My personal favorite was Buick’s Wildcat convertible — such a beautifully designed automobile from every angle.
Billy, I bought a ’65 Wildcat convertible about 17 years ago.
I didn’t pay much attention to it but later I saw it had been a fastback that had the roof chopped off.
They did install a convertible roof, like it had been from the factory.
I wish they had left it a fastback.
Man id love to have this in my tin indian teepee be real nice between my 64 bonneville and my 66 GP……true a tri power 8 lugs a man trans or even one better the 2+2 would be the cats meow but some of us begers cant be choosers lol love the 65 models always liked them leaned forward fenders beautiful poncho
Looks good, wish they had some pictures from the underside.
Looks like it is ready to hit the highway just as it sits. Personally I would have no issues cruising in this one.
Beautiful car. The deal breaker for me is the upside down horn button though.
The wheel is turned just a little in the pictures.
The Pontiac logo should have the point at the bottom and the V & star on top. Doesn’t matter if the wheel is turned a little or not.
When I was little. My brother had a 65 Chevelle SS convertable. It was so cool to me. But I also like the 65 Impala my Mom had was a 4 door but still cool. And later my sister got her hands on a 65 GTO. Noe that was cool to. So 65 was a good year I guess for GMs or at least for our familiys it was.?
Why is the Arrow Head upside down on the horn button ?
The wheel is turned just a little in the pictures.
I was 14 and my first ride in a fast car was with my neighbor in his 65 2+2 with 421 tri-power with manual 3sp, when all 3 carbs opened up so did my eyes. always liked the “Tin Indians”.
in this same car my dad got drunk in 79 and had an accident and survived. The road went in a 45 degree angle and he kept going straight. a went through a car lot and took out about 20 cars and the front part of the car parking lot. A then went through a brick wall and took out another four or five cars. they then went through another brick wall and took out about 10 more before the car finally stopped. He survived but the car was trash. So I know how tough this car really is. Good luck to the new owner and hopefully he doesn’t meet the same fate
Love that body style. I had both a 65 Grand Prix and 65 Catalina in my early years. The GP had buckets, and real wood on the dash and console. The Cat had factory cruise control. There was an extra needle on the speedometer and a knob to turn it. Pull on the knob and the accelerator would hit the floor until you attained the selected speed. Learned that real fast! LOL
Let me make a correction. The accident was in 1976 mot 79. my dad died in 1979 but not from a wreck. He went into the hospital and has heart surgery and died due to a doctor’s incompetence.
1965 was a strike year. I had a new Impala that was slapped together and had nothing but trouble with it.
When did the term ‘hardtop’ exit the automotive lexicon?
For forward looking designers at Mercedes Benz ‘hardtop’ still a very popular and alive concept. Only in the US where the big three ape vulgar and tired Japanese executions, has creativity been surrendered.
in high school driver ed, I drove a lite green Catalina.
63 grand prix 4 speed mild custom in Alaska, a work in progress.
sweet!!
My Dad bought new, a ‘65 Catalina Sport coupe….Iris Mist w/ black Morrokide Ventura trim package; 389 2bbl which was the car I learned how to drive.
Loved that car and had fun until I had accident in 1972. Not a bad collision, but the repairs exceeded market value at the time and the car was totaled.
If you want a bad ass cruiser, a relative in the family bought new a 1968 Ventura…triple black with a 428HO 4-spd…..a big, nasty, boulevard cruiser.
Was a passenger one night when he took down a loud-mouth neighbor with a 1967 Marina Blue 427 Impala SS…..almost gapped him….love big motored mid 60s full-size GM products