Pontiac was hot in the 1960s. So hot that it stole the number-three spot from Plymouth, which was having its own issues of ugly styling and a size that was slightly smaller than what Americans expected in their chariots. Pontiac, on the other hand, had a youthful image, trademark styling (split grille, anyone?), and one hit after another. After the introduction of the ultra-clean 1963 Grand Prix—one of the best sophomore efforts ever—Pontiac followed it up with the GTO for 1964.
The 2+2 package for the Catalina also was introduced in 1964. Despite the impression that it was like the GTO but in a bigger package, this is totally not true. The 2+2 package consisted of the following for either the Catalina sports coupe (hardtop) or convertible:
- Bucket seats
- Choice of either four-speed manual or Hydra-Matic automatic
- Console
- Nylon-blend carpeting
- Custom steering wheel
- 389/283 with four-speed, 389/267 with automatic
Hardly the ingredients to make a performance car, right? Truth be told, the 2+2 was merely Pontiac’s version of the buckets-and-console package that was popular in Detroit at the time (most notably the Impala SS). The 2+2 could be specified to have the 421 motor with up to 370 horsepower with Tri-Power, upon which it could be considered the GTO’s big brother but, as a stand-alone package, the 2+2 screamed sporty, not performance.
That would all change in 1965, when the 2+2 came standard with the 421/338 and could have up to 376 horsepower with the 421. Only then could it properly be considered the GTO’s big brother. The 2+2 lasted through 1967 but, for the Canadian market, it always was a bucket-and-console trim level and continued on through 1970 with options up to the LS5 454 (you remember Canadian Pontiacs had Chevy motors, right?).
There’s no production numbers on how many 1964 2+2 convertibles were built, but it is known that 7,998 cars were built in total. This one on eBay may or may not be a real one—strangely, the seller makes no mention of the engine and doesn’t present the original invoice, which is available from PHS (Pontiac Historical Services). As a big, sporty, four-speed cruiser, it’s a great car, but not $48,600 worth without some form of documentation.
Comments
I LOVE 2+2s especially the 1965-1966 versions. Man those cars were lookers. When I had my 1966 Bonneville 2dr hardtop, anytime I slowed down enough to get into a conversation; some older guy would start remarking about their Catalina, or 2+2, or Bonneville, or Grand Prix. I heard alot of impressive stories about Full-Size Pontiacs. I’m sure many of them were greatly exaggerated. But considering the things I did with my Bonnie, or the things I witnessed from friends mistreating their Delta 88s, Buick Lasabres/Wildcats, 225 Electras, Impalas, and such – I can’t deny those cars were tough, and capable of some impressive performance in the right hands.
This was back when Pontiac’s had things that really made them a Pontiac and not just a re-bodied Chevy.
These large cars can really run. A friend of mine had a show car would race. It was a 61 Catalina with a factory 4 speed and tripower that with a set of slicks would pull the left front tire off the ground. His other car was a stripped down model with an aluminum front end on it and was even faster at the vintage races.
I own a 1967 Catalina, and almost never hear any stories about them. Whenever I mention it to people, they usually havent even heard of the car, which is a shame.
I own 2 1964 Pontiac Bonneville convertible one in my bone yard the other is restored I love showing it !!!
I have a 1964 Pontiac Catalina Convertible 2+2 4-speed wonder how many they made?