The Catalina was Pontiac’s bread-and-butter car for four decades (through the 1950s and into the early 1980s). It might be considered the GM division’s equivalent of the Chevy Impala. With a redesign in 1971, the Catalina sported an all-new body, and the convertible edition would begin to wind down with 1972 being the last year for a Catalina droptop. The seller’s ’72 is one of just 2,399 made but was listed for sale a year ago, so who knows if it’s still on the market. It was in a garage in Pembroke, Maine, and was offered here on Facebook Marketplace for $4,000. Thanks for the “Poncho” tip, Barn Finder RichardinMaine.
In 1972, the Catalina rode on the shortest wheelbase of any full-size Pontiac (2.5 inches shorter than the Bonneville). The cars had been freed of the troublesome power ventilation system that marred customer opinions of all the full-size GM cars of 1971. The standard V8 in ’72 had been upgraded from the 350 to the 400 cubic inch engine, which was now rated at 175 hp due to the change in measurement systems to SAE net. Also, the front bumpers were a little beefier to withstand impacts of 5 mph or less. We assume the seller’s project has the 400 2-barrel that we’re told hasn’t been started in a while.
This car was Grandpa’s fixer-upper that he didn’t get around to finishing (passed away?). He was changing out the serpentine belt when things came to a halt at 86,000 miles. In addition to finishing that up, the car will (at a minimum) need new shock absorbers and a cleaning of the carburetor.
The body, red paint, and white/black interior seem to be in good shape as does the white canvas top. Given the logical attrition rate for cars like this, 10-15% of them may still exist, putting them into the 200+ category. That makes this convertible a rarity among 1970s automobiles.
These were very good looking cars which GM has no idea how to build today. This example looks OK from what I can see from the limited photos. The hubcaps appear to be a problem. Convertibles were going out of favor by then. A 2 door hardtop, which GM has lost the ability to build today, was all the rage with air conditioning when this example was made. Again, it’s a very good looking Pontiac, which GM has lost the ability to build. In fact, all GM is concerned about is China. Why don’t they just relocate? They are no longer good Americans!
@Dave Brown
I hate to say it but I agree with you. Everytime I read something about General Motors or Cadillac it’s always about China. Introducing a new model in China or discontinuing the CT4 here but not in China. You’re right, they should just relocate to China.
I used to be a diehard GM fan. Not anymore. In fact, I was thinking the other day, should I eventually upgrade to a larger SUV, it would be a toss up between the GMC Tahoe or the Ford Expedition. The Ford would win.
I’ve only owned one Ford product in my life and that was a 1962 Lincoln Continental convertible in 1970. Everything else has been GM except for one Chrysler Imperial in 1973.
GM you screwed up! 🚗🪦⚰️
Considering myself a ‘good American’– I choose to still buy GM products– just NOT anything new from The General… only ‘used’ GM products that were actually BUILT in the USA…!
Yep, I’ve been a Gm man for over 55 years and refuse to buy a Chinese own car or truck since they dropped pontiac instead of Buick because the Chinese like the Oldman Buick better.
Pontiac was my favorite car back in the day. My 400 cubic inch Grand Prix was awesome. My 1979 Bonneville with the 301 2 bbl carb was weak enough for it’s size (140 hp) but the engine also felt fuel starved. The 1983 Trans Am cross fire fuel injection made the 5.0 engine run like it should. I did not get another Pontiac until my 1999 Sunfire which was no performance car but did fine as a roomy economy 4 door. The Catalinas every parent or grandparent seemed to own in the 1960s and 1970s were 2 or 4 door models; never saw a convertible in the wild until the Grandville.