The first 'Catalina' was a two-door hardtop built on the 1950 Chieftain. A new Star Chief model took up top place in the Pontiac 1954 line up and that was given a 'Catalina' hardtop option. The 'Catalina' name was given to this hardtop option until 1958, and was offered in both 2-door and 4-door formats. In 1959 the 'Catalina' badge took the place of 'Chieftain' on its entry level cars and these followed the 1959 GM styling, but were now offered as sedans, convertibles, and wagons as well as hardtops. For 1961 Pontiac shortened its Catalinas by 3-inches on length and wheelbase, and grew then back by two-inches for the 1965 'coke bottle' re-shell. There were new bodies for 1971 and again for 1977, but the 'Catalina' badge was left in the cupboard after 1981.
Pontiac Catalina 1965 - 70
aa Pontiac Catalina 1968 Coupe badgec
Pontiac Catalina 1968 Coupe - badge on wing
s Pontiac Star Chief 1954 Catalina Coupe side
Pontiac Star Chief 1954 Catalina Coupe. The Star Chief was a new model for 1954, which extended the 122-inch wheelbase of the standard Chieftain to 124-inches, and the overall length from 202.6-inches to 213.6-inches, mainly in the boot. This compared to the standard A-body used by the Chevrolet BelAir at 115-inches and 196.4-inches.
Pontiac Chieftain 1956 Catalina 4-door hardtop side
Pontiac Chieftain 1956 Catalina 4-door hardtop. There was a 2-door Catalina hardtop version of the Chieftain and in 1956 a 4-door Catalina hardtop (this model) was added and shared with the GM A-body cars such as the Buick Century Riviera Sedan, Chevrolet BelAir Sports Sedan and Oldsmobile 88 Holiday Sedan.
Pontiac Star Chief 1956 Catalina 4-door Hardtop side
Pontiac Star Chief 1956 Catalina 4-door Hardtop. Pontiac got a new A-body for 1955 and further revisions were made for 1956. The Star Chief sat on the longest 124-inch wheelbase and was 7-inches longer overall than Chieftain models
