The Forgotten Pontiac That Beat A Ferrari And Still Sells For Half A GTO
Ferrari needed some serious consolation after the Pontiac burn. A full-size Pontiac managed to leave a Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 in the dust during an official comparison test. Decades have passed since Ferrari was left watching a Pontiac pull away on the drag strip, but the memory likely still stings. However, despite being a rare muscle car that handed out crippling defeats left and right, it’s severely undervalued. The Pontiac GTO is still the more popular option at much higher costs.
Pontiac Wanted To Give The GTO A Big Brother
The Pontiac GTO was an instant success, credited with starting the entire muscle car movement, and the automaker looked to build on its success by offering more alternatives. So, it decided to build a larger, more luxurious option to act as a big brother to the mid-size GTO.
Plus, a full-size model would get around General Motors’ corporate policy that limited mid-size car engines to 400 cubic inches. Guidelines stated that intermediate cars were restricted to a threshold of about 10 lbs per horsepower. However, the Chevrolet Corvette was a rare exception to the policy and there were a few special order workarounds to take advantage of.
By using a full-size B-body chassis, Pontiac was able to stuff a massive V8 engine under the hood, combining luxury features with raw, high-power performance. It is often called the GTO for adults as a race car that offers more space without compromising its speed. But there’s a bit of an issue here, as adults were drawn to more practical options and youthful buyers wanted to stick to smaller, lighter cars.
The 1965 Pontiac Catalina 2+2 Packs A V8 Punch
As the 1965 Pontiac Catalina 2+2 arrived in style, it hid plenty of power under the hood. It features a 421 cubic-inch V8 engine. The Tri-Power H.O. (High Output) setup delivers 376 horsrpower and 459 lb-ft of torque. This full-size beast can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 6.5 seconds and crushes a quarter mile in roughly 13.8 seconds with a top speed of 130 mph on the track.
The most powerful 1965 Pontiac GTO model has a 389 V8 engine. The Tri-Power setup churns out 360 hp and 424 lb-ft of torque. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in around 5.8 seconds with a 14.5-second quarter mile and top speed of about 122 mph. Also, it weighs between 3,478 lbs and 3,700 pounds, while its big brother rings in at between 3,700 to 4,030 pounds.
Along with potent V8 power, the Catalina 2+2 also has an aerodynamic fastback semi-roofline, fender louvers, a wide track for aggressive cornering, a heavy-duty suspension with stiffer coil springs, a thicker front sway bar, a 3.42:1 gear ratio, a live rear axle, and dual exhausts. The build could be paired with a three-speed Turbo Hydramatic automatic, heavy-duty four-speed Muncie manual, or a three-speed manual transmission with a Hurst floor shifter.
The Catalina 2+2 has a quick-ratio power steering upgrade with standard finned, heavy-duty drum brakes. Also, it rides on power-assisted cast aluminum eight-lug drums that were integrated into the wheels. Last but not least, it was available with a Saf-T-Track limited slip differential to improve rear-wheel traction.
The Catalina 2+2 Met Ferrari At The Track
The 1965 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 is no slouch with its 2242.1 cubic-inch, 4.0-liter, 60-degree Colombo V12 engine that produces 300 hp and 240 lb-ft of torque. It flies from 0 to 60 mph in about 6.3 seconds and completes a quarter mile in around 14.6 seconds with a top speed of 152 mph. But it didn’t face the standard Pontiac Catalina 2+2 model.
It faced the Royal Bobcat Catalina, which had been heavily modified by the Royal Pontiac dealership in Royal Oak, Michigan. The screwdriver tune-up boosted its power to nearly 500 hp and 425 lb-ft of torque. Plus, the car gained a lowered-restriction air cleaner, 0.027-inch copper head gasket, and weaker springs. The car may have also featured a deleted heater and radios to lower its weight.
When the cars met to face off for a Car and Driver comparison test, the $15,000 Ferrari was expected to destroy the $4,000 American full-size Pontiac Catalina 2+2. But spectators were left speechless when race car driver Walt Hansgen didn’t even give the 330 GT a chance. The full-size boat quickly left the agile European sports car behind.
It achieved a blistering 3.6-second 0-to-60 mph time and completed a quarter mile in 13.8 seconds. The Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 had a 6.3-second 0 to 60 mph time and finished a quarter mile in 14.6 seconds. Then the Catalina 2+2 managed to stay within 0.5-seconds of the Ferrari on the Bridgehampton racetrack despite being 1,000 pounds lighter.
This was an incredibly impressive win for Pontiac and tremendously embarrassing for Ferrari. Ferrari originated the Gran Turismo Omologato, or Grand Touring Homologated, name, and then Pontiac began applying it to packages like the LeMans and Tempest before it became a stand-alone model and a trim level for the Ventura. But the 330 GT failed to define the moniker.
But the Ferrari Killer Doesn’t Sell Like The GTO
The 1965 Pontiac Catalina 2+2 might be a massive, full-size land yacht. However, it’s still a rare and powerful muscle car that was produced in limited numbers. Historians estimate that about 11,519 to 11,521 Catalina 2+2 models were produced in 1965. Then about 6,383 cars were built in 1966, followed by only 1,768 models in 1967. However, over 75,000 Pontiac GTO models were sold in 1965.
You can find the big brother to the GTO in fair or project condition for between $15,000 and $22,000. Models in good or better driving condition fetch between $30,000 and $35,000. Then the Catalina 2+2 models in pristine condition typically cross the auction block for between $45,000 and over $60,000. Models with the Tri-Power HO engine and convertibles demand higher premiums.
Then the 1965 Pontiac GTO is found in rough condition for around $35,000 to $540,000. Models ready for the car show are valued at between $60,000 and $80,000. GTO models with the Tri-Power engine can be found at auction for between $90,000 and over $140,000. Once again, the convertibles are worth more. Maybe it’s time for the Catalina 2+2 to finally escape its little brother’s shadow.
Source: Hemmings, Hagerty, Pontiac, Ferrari
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