Pontiac Executive
Encyclopedia
The Pontiac Executive was an automobile model produced by the Pontiac Motor Division
of General Motors from 1967 to 1970.
The Executive name replaced Pontiac's long running mid-range Star Chief
, beginning for 1966 when all Pontiacs in this range were named Star Chief Executive for this one year only, before the series became simply the Executive for 1967.
Executives featured more deluxe trim, more standard amenities and a longer wheelbase and overall length than the lower-priced Catalina
models, but were not quite as luxurious as the top-line Bonneville
, whose wheelbase and other dimensions the Executive shared.
Mechanically, the Executive was virtually identical to the Catalina, sharing similar standard and optional V8 engines starting with the base 400 CID V8 with two-barrel carburetor rated at 265 hp, and ending with a 390 hp 428 CID HO V8 through 1969 and a larger 455 CID V8 rated at 370 hp in 1970. The standard transmission each year was a three-speed manual with column shift, with a floor-mounted four-speed with Hurst
shifter optional in 1967 and 1968. However, 98 percent of Executives were equipped with the three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic during the model's four year run.
Executives were available as a four-door pillared sedan, two-door hardtop coupe, four-door hardtop sedan, and Safari
station wagons in two and three-seat versions. The Executive Safari wagons differed from the Catalina and Bonneville Safari wagons by featuring simulated wood paneling. No Executive convertibles were offered.
Total output of the Executive was:
Through its four years, the Executive was the lowest-volume full-size Pontiac.
The Executive was replaced for 1971 by the new Catalina Brougham.
Pontiac
Pontiac was an automobile brand that was established in 1926 as a companion make for General Motors' Oakland. Quickly overtaking its parent in popularity, it supplanted the Oakland brand entirely by 1933 and, for most of its life, became a companion make for Chevrolet. Pontiac was sold in the...
of General Motors from 1967 to 1970.
The Executive name replaced Pontiac's long running mid-range Star Chief
Pontiac Star Chief
The Star Chief was a car built by General Motors' Pontiac division between 1954 and 1966.Between 1954 and 1957, the Star Chief was Pontiac's prestige model; the car was easily identified by its chrome star trim along its sides...
, beginning for 1966 when all Pontiacs in this range were named Star Chief Executive for this one year only, before the series became simply the Executive for 1967.
Executives featured more deluxe trim, more standard amenities and a longer wheelbase and overall length than the lower-priced Catalina
Pontiac Catalina
The Pontiac Catalina was part of Pontiac's full-sized automobile line. Initially, the name was used strictly to denote hardtop body styles, first appearing in the 1950 Chieftain Eight and DeLuxe Eight lines...
models, but were not quite as luxurious as the top-line Bonneville
Pontiac Bonneville
The Pontiac Bonneville was an automobile built by the Pontiac division of General Motors from 1957 to 2005. It was introduced as a limited production performance convertible during the 1957 model year...
, whose wheelbase and other dimensions the Executive shared.
Mechanically, the Executive was virtually identical to the Catalina, sharing similar standard and optional V8 engines starting with the base 400 CID V8 with two-barrel carburetor rated at 265 hp, and ending with a 390 hp 428 CID HO V8 through 1969 and a larger 455 CID V8 rated at 370 hp in 1970. The standard transmission each year was a three-speed manual with column shift, with a floor-mounted four-speed with Hurst
Hurst Performance
Hurst Performance, Inc. of Warminster Township, Pennsylvania, manufactured and marketed products for enhancing the performance of automobiles, most notably for muscle cars.-Products:...
shifter optional in 1967 and 1968. However, 98 percent of Executives were equipped with the three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic during the model's four year run.
Executives were available as a four-door pillared sedan, two-door hardtop coupe, four-door hardtop sedan, and Safari
Pontiac Safari
The 1955 Safari was built using shared body components with the Chevrolet Nomad station wagon, which would also allow both divisions to share in the tooling costs for the special bodied wagons. The Safari was fitted with Pontiac's unique front-end bumper/grille assembly and sheet metal and rear...
station wagons in two and three-seat versions. The Executive Safari wagons differed from the Catalina and Bonneville Safari wagons by featuring simulated wood paneling. No Executive convertibles were offered.
Total output of the Executive was:
- 1967: 35,491 units
- 1968: 32,597 units
- 1969: 25,845 units
- 1970: 21,936 units
Through its four years, the Executive was the lowest-volume full-size Pontiac.
The Executive was replaced for 1971 by the new Catalina Brougham.