1962 Catalina

[Greg Reimer 7376]

Canadian Pontiacs used Chevy drive trains. If the car is a 62 with a 4 barrel 409, it's a 380 horse.Canadian 348 and 409 pontiacs are a bit distinctive because they didn't have the stamped in Chevy bow tie on the valve covers like American W motors did.. As to the '65 409, only around 2800 were built, since the 396 came out in February,65, and there were two versions-a 400 horse with an aluminum high rise, big port heads, a large AFB, and a large chrome dual snorkel air cleaner.792 of those were built. The remaining 2000 or so were 340 horse hydraulic lifter small port engines with a cast iron or aluminum intake with a large rochester 4GC carb and a single snorkel chrome air cleaner. The 65 409's had an oddball oil pan and the exhaust manifolds were different from any other 409 in previous years. Neat cars if you find a correct one!!

[Rory McNeil]

Like Greg mentioned, our Canadian Pontiacs used Chevy running gear (and chassis too) thru the late 60`s, not sure when they started though. However they didn`t use the US Pontiac names, as I recall it, the base model was a "Strato Chief" (biscayne equivilent), followed by "Laurentian" "then "Parisienne", and the "Grand Parisienne" was the top of the line.So up here, 230/250 6 cyl. Powerglide, or 283/327 "Pontiacs were fairly common.I went to high school with a fellow student who drove a 66 Grand Parisienne Sport 2 dr HT, with a factory 427 4 speed, which was likely fairly rare. We also had Canadian "Beaumonts" based on the Chevelle, from 64 thru 69, and "Acadians" which were basically Novas, from 62 thru 68 or 69, all with Chevy running gear. I think that the only Pontiacs we had up here with actual Pontiac engines, were the Firebirds & GTO`s. But we never had the LeMans or Tempest models during the period that the Beaumonts were sold.The 409 Pontiacs were available in 62,63 & 64 for sure, not positive about 61 or 65 though. Maybe Aubrey can confirm or add to my recollection.

[Ed Fernandez]

Thanks for the replys guys.Joe if I had your money I'd burn the little I have.LOL

[Jack McCarthy]

contact aubrey brunneau... guy with 62 409 stocker on here... he knows

told me once more 409 in ponchos in canada than in US

jack

[tj310]

Not an original car Catalina was U.S. Pontiac never a Canadian produced body . Canadian bodies were styled similar to U. S. but unique .U.S. Pontiacs could be ordered by dealers here in Canada but were quite a bit more expensive and at the time I don,t remember working on any. I lived Quite close to the Oshawa GM plant where Canadian Pontiacs were built. Rory,s information is correct I probably just remember back a little farther. Greg is right I recall seeing 409 Parisiennes back in the day {with leaking waterpumps}
Thanx Trevor

[Ed Fernandez]

Originally Posted by tj310

Not an original car Catalina was U.S. Pontiac never a Canadian produced body . Canadian bodies were styled similar to U. S. but unique .U.S. Pontiacs could be ordered by dealers here in Canada but were quite a bit more expensive and at the time I don,t remember working on any. I lived Quite close to the Oshawa GM plant where Canadian Pontiacs were built. Rory,s information is correct I probably just remember back a little farther. Greg is right I recall seeing 409 Parisiennes back in the day {with leaking waterpumps}
Thanx Trevor

My mistake,looked at the pic I took of the car and it is a Parissiane.Emblem is on front fender.

[Rich Biebel]

Those Canadian full size Pontiac's look real strange when you pop the hood and there is a small block Chevy in there. There is almost enough room for two of them side by side......