The Executive was a short-lived Pontiac nameplate, replacing the Star Chief from 1967 to 1970. It rode on the Bonneville’s longer wheelbase but had a trim level similar to the Catalina. It was the least popular of the full-size Pontiacs built during those years, so it disappeared from the ranks in 1971. This ’70 Executive has been stored in a garage for several years and has a healthy coating of dust to back it up. The hardtop’s running condition is unknown and the “Poncho” is available here on craigslist in Riverside, California. The asking price is $11,000 (or make an offer). Here’s another tip brought to us by Barn Finder “numskal”.
Not much differentiated the Executive from the Star Chief other than it being a fresher nameplate. They held the same position in the Pontiac hierarchy. Executives were available in a variety of body styles (except a convertible) and had a 400 cubic inch V8 as standard equipment. A 455 producing 370 hp was optional in 1970 and that’s how the seller’s car is said to be equipped (no under-the-hood photos are provided). It’s paired with a TH-400 automatic transmission, which was all but standard fare in those days.
Executive sales in 1970 were just under 22,000 units, the smallest number in its short life. So, they’re far less common today than a Catalina or Bonneville from the same model year. The seller’s edition has traveled at least 100,000 miles (the odometer is broken), so perhaps the drivetrain was getting tired by the time it was parked. No attempt seems to have been made to start it up, so this may be an estate sale vehicle where the owner is no longer among us to ask questions.
Under all the dirt and grime might be a decent green paint job (original or otherwise). The interior seems nice enough, though the carpeting may be ready to be dyed or replaced. Not a lot seems to be known about this Pontiac, so the seller may be perfectly happy to take a reasonable offer just to make it go away.
The “Executive”,( whistles), can you imagine the poor guy that worked in the mail room his whole life, FINALLY buys a car named “Executive”. Close as they ever came. Deemed the ugliest Pontiac made,( Bunkie Beak) by who, I don’t know, certainly not by me. Remember my HS friend I lived with in N.Wis. who went nuts? His dad bought a new 1970 Bonneville, very similar to this, only a 455. I remember his wife saying, “What do you need a 455 for, John, that thing better have a 2 barrel”. It didn’t, and he commuted from N.Wis. to Milwaukee for a while, and to say that Chief rolled like thunder, would be an understatement. While still mostly 2 lanes, he made the trip in just over 3 hours, burying the speedo in remote places. GM clearly had a pecking order, and this car was a step up from a Chevy, not quite a Buick or Olds, but was without question the nicest mid range car for 1970 you could buy.
I agree with you Howard, I actually liked the looks of these. My 4th grade teacher had a brand new 70 Catalina 2 door hardtop, green like this, and I absolutely loved that car. He still had it when I was in high school, and it made its rounds in the school auto shop, and I always called dibs to do the work on it.
Yeah that 1970 455 would make a nice cruiser with or without the rest of the car. Now where did I leave that 1979 Trans Am with a 301?
Car looks like it’s in really nice shape, too bad they couldn’t be bothered hosing it off, or opening the hood for a couple of more pictures. No idea if it had A/C or not. It looks like what’s mounted under the dash is an 8-Track player. I hope it finds a good home. Fix what’s needed, clean it up nicely, put dual exhaust on it, and enjoy it for what it is. I don’t know about that price, though, considering no engine pics and the foot of accumulated dust.
Vents in the center of the dash and down low signal the air conditioning.
Pontiac styling sure was schizophrenic in the late ‘60s and ‘70s. One year, spectacular, the next year, borderline repulsive. The late 60s big Poncho’s with the deep set egg crate grill and some with hidden headlights looked awesome. This 70 Executive… not so much.
Edsel’s stepchild.
I remember when I first saw this when new. To me, it’s still a WTF look.
The most noteworthy thing about this era of cars is the dependable and to me desirable crank windows and manual seat. One less thing to have to restore. Now if the TV remote would just get lost we would get a little more exercise.
I’m a Pontiac man since I was 5, now 63, I own a 73 Grand Prix SJ 455 currently, always had a Pontiac in my stable, you know why, besides my dad having a 65 Catalina, my neighbors boyfriend in 1969 brought home a beautiful 69 Bonneville with every option including that floor mounted 8 track shown in this car, but his was a 428, 390 hp version, luxury animal, he was beating Camaros and Mustangs by the dozen, with all the amenities of a true luxury car
He must have been racing six cylinder versions, because 5,000 + pounds of Pontiac couldn’t beat a V8 Mustang 0-60 or in the 1/4 mile. Perhaps the pony cars weren’t actually racing? Memory is a fickle thing.
4000 lbs is closer to the truth
First off, 4000lbs not 5000, I was there, not talking 454 chevelle here, 302 mustangs, 350 Camaros
Pontiac was the best value in GM. In many instances they weren’t far from Buick and Olds.
“Torque” for those in need of clarification. JS
The styling is unmistakable, whether you like it or not. Leaning towards more unique looking car myself, I like it. Pontiac was still riding high and a regular in the third place sales derby.
The Executive nameplate didn’t last beyond 1970, but the car sort of did. When Pontiac introduced the Grand Ville for 1971, the Bonneville became the mid-level Pontiac. It shared the Grand Ville’s wheelbase, but was decontented a bit and trimmed more like a Catalina.
Price is kind of high for a roller when you factor in straightening the rear quarter-panel, removing the creases from the passenger door, fixing the paint, and replacing the carpet.
Love the “Just aired up” tire sidewall dirt…
Surely, the seller meant $1,100.00…right?
Other than not having a 350 as the standard engine, not much was different between the Catalina and the Executive ,and I’m sure that’s a big reason why it didnt sell as much- why pay more for a car that is almost identical to a lesser price one ? The Bonneville was a little longer ,had an egg crate grille , and a color keyed endura insert in the rear bumper. The Executive and the Catalinas only difference was the emblems. A buddy of mine in high school had a Pepper green 70 Catalina 4 door hdtp , we sure weren’t going to pick up any girls with it, but it was a great cruiser !