1970 Pontiac Catalina

Production of the Pontiac Catalina began in 1950 and continued for over three decades, initially denoting hardtop body styles on the Chieftain Eight and Deluxe Eight lines, before becoming a separate entry-level full-size Pontiac model in 1959.

1970 was the final year of the 'third' generation of styling introduced in 1965 on Pontiac's full-sized vehicles, with 'coke bottle' profiles, fastback rooflines on two-door hardtops, new grilles, and taillight treatment, and smoother flowing sheet metal. The interior trim and instrument panel were revised, and the 2+2 option changed from a trim package to an all-out performance car package for 1965. 1967 was the final time the 2+2 was offered in both convertible and hardtop coupe forms. That same year, the Pontiac Catalinas and other full-sized Pontiacs were given an extensive restyling, gaining more rounded wasp-waisted body contours, concealed windshield wipers (a first for the industry), and fuller fastback rooflines. With safety given a higher priority within the U.S. industry, the Catalina gained all-new U.S. Government-mandated safety equipment including a safety steering wheel, dual-circuit hydraulic brake system, energy-absorbing steering column, and soft interior parts. The following year, new fender side-marker lights became standard, and vehicles built after January 1st of 1968 came standard with front outboard shoulder belts. Catalinas and other full-sized Pontiacs received a new beak-nosed split grille for 1968, horizontal headlights, and revised taillights. Another major restyling was applied to 1969 Pontiacs, losing its 'coke bottle' rear flanks and vent windows, and gaining more squared-off body and rooflines. Wheelbases grew by an inch now measuring 122-inches, headrests and a new locking steering column became standard, and front disc brakes were now automatically included when the power brake option was ordered.

1970 Pontiac Models
The 1970 Pontiac model lineup included the entry-level Tempest with a 112-inch wheelbase for the two-door body styles and a 116-inch platform for the four-doors. Trim levels included the 'base', mid-priced LeMans, and top-level LeMans Sports with prices that ranged from the mid-$2,000s to the low-$3,000s. The similarly-styled GTO, including the top WT-1 'The Judge' option, was priced from $3,270 to $3,830. The Grand Prix hardtop coupe had a base price of nearly $4,000 and rested on a short 118-inch wheelbase while the Firebird was shorter, at 108-inches, and listed for $2,875.

The entry-level full-size Catalina, along with all station wagons, resting on a 122-inch wheelbase. The Catalina was offered as a convertible, 2- and 4-door hardtop, sedan, and 6- and 9-passenger station wagon with prices that ranged from the low-to-mid $3,000s. Both the Catalina and Executive came standard with a 350 cubic-inch V8 with a two-barrel carburetor and producing 255 horsepower at 4,600 RPM. The Executive and Bonneville offered similar body styles to the Catalina on a three-inch longer wheelbase with prices of $3,530 to $4,160 on the Executive and $3,770 to $4,250 on the range-topping Bonneville.

Pontiac built nearly 82,400 examples of the Bonneville in 1970, over 32,400 Executives, over 48,700 combined Firebirds (including 'base', Esprit, Formula 400, and Trans Am), 65,750 examples of the Grand Prix, and 40,149 GTOs and Judges. Pontiac's most popular model for 1970 was the Catalina, with 223,380 examples built (combined passenger cars and station wagons).

1970 Pontiac Catalina
Pontiac updated its full-sized models, including the Catalina, with a new Grand Prix-style V-nose grille for 1970, hoods with wider and flatter center bulges, wrap over front fender tips, 'horns ports' on the facelifted front end, and new untrimmed taillights mounted in the rear bumper. Design cues included Catalina or Ventura lettering behind the front wheel openings, 'Pontiac' centered on the edge of the rear deck, restrained body sill moldings, and the grille with horizontal blades.

The convertible and station wagons came standard with a 400 cubic-inch V8 with a two-barrel carburetor and delivering 290 horsepower at 4,600 RPM. Other body styles came standard with the 350 CID V8 rated at 255 horsepower. Optional engines included a 400 CID V8 with four-barrel carburetion delivering 330 horsepower, and two versions of the new 455 CID V8 with 360 hp or 370 hp (with the 'HO' option). A three-speed manual transmission with column shift was standard equipment, however, most were equipped with the optional three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic. A two-speed Turbo Hydramatic 300 automatic was also available but seldom ordered.

The coupe had a factory price of $3,165 for the sedan, $3,250 for the two-door hardtop, $4,420 for the four-door hardtop, and $3,600 for the convertible. The six-passenger station wagon was priced at $3,650 and the nine-passenger wagon at $3,800. The sedan and two-door hardtop were the most popular with 84,795 and 70,350 sales respectively. The convertible was the most exclusive with 3,686 examples built. 35,155 were four-door hardtops and the combined station wagon total was 29,394. 16,944 were the six-passenger wagon and 12,450 were the 9-passenger version.

Pontiac completely redesigned its full-sized Pontiacs, including the Catalina, for 1971 with a long hood and short deck profile, fuselage styling, flush pull-up exterior door handles, and a double shell roof for improved roll-over production. This new styling would continue through 1976, followed by another extensive redesign in 1977 lasting through 1981, its final year of production.


By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2021

Related Reading : Pontiac Catalina History

The vehicle of choice for full-size performance aficionados, the Pontiac Catalina was the least expensive and the lightest of Pontiacs full-size coupes and convertibles. Strongly establishing Pontiacs performance image, the Catalina featured light-weight body panels, Super Duty engines, and other innovative modifications. Part of Pontiacs full-sized automobile line, the Catalina name was....
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Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

1970 Catalina
$3,790-$28,120
1970 Pontiac Catalina Price Range: $3,165 - $3,790

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1970 Pontiac Models
$830 - $3,600
$2,735 - $3,330

Catalina

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
271,058
121.00 in.
8 cyl., 389.00 CID., 256.00hp
8 cyl., 389.00 CID., 290.00hp
8 cyl., 389.00 CID., 325.00hp
8 cyl., 389.00 CID., 333.00hp
8 cyl., 389.00 CID., 335.00hp
8 cyl., 421.00 CID., 356.00hp
8 cyl., 389.00 CID., 360.00hp
8 cyl., 389.00 CID., 370.00hp
$2,675 - $3,240
260,693
121.00 in.
8 cyl., 389.00 CID., 256.00hp
8 cyl., 389.00 CID., 290.00hp
8 cyl., 421.00 CID., 338.00hp
$2,760 - $3,600
211,405
121.00 in.
8 cyl., 400.00 CID., 265.00hp
8 cyl., 400.00 CID., 290.00hp
8 cyl., 230.00 CID., 335.00hp
$2,865 - $3,375
210,596
122.00 in.
8 cyl., 400.00 CID., 290.00hp
$3,090 - $3,665
223,380
122.00 in.
8 cyl., 400.00 CID., 290.00hp
8 cyl., 399.58 CID., 350.00hp
8 cyl., 455.00 CID., 360.00hp
$3,165 - $3,790

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