Motor Car History
Technical History of the Motor Car

      

1890s  1900s  1910s  1920s  1930s  1940s  1950s  1960s   1970s  1980s  1990s  2000s  2010s

Toggle Navigation
  • Home
  • Makes and models
  • Motor car History
  • Motor Car Guide
    • Engines By Make
    • Engine Components
    • Electrical & electronic
    • Gearbox & Drivetrain
    • Induction & Exhaust
    • Suspension Types
    • Tyres wheels Brakes
    • Vehicle Body types
  • Trivia
  • links
    • Advertise your business
  • Register
  • Top rated
USA
Motor Cars
1970s 1980s

Pontiac Catalina 5th generation

Pontiac Catalina 5th Gen history (1977-1981)

Production

1977 to 1981

Assembly

USA

Class 

Motor Car

Body style

2-door coupe
4-door sedan
4-door station wagon

Engine

231 cu in (3.8 L) V6
250 cu in (4.1 L) Straight-6
265 cu in (4.3 L) V8
301 cu in (4.9 L) V8
350 cu in (5.7 L) Diesel V8
350 cu in (5.7 L) V8
400 cu in (6.6 L) V8
403 cu in (6.6 L) V8

Transmission

3-speed THM200 350 automatic
4-speed THM200-4R automatic

 

In 1977, the Catalina appeared in a much smaller version GM divisions downsized there cars. The wheelbase (now again for all body styles equal) had shrunk to 2,946 mm and it was the first time V6 engines with 3,785 cc and 118 kW (160 hp). Stylistically, the new car with its rectangular double headlights and its V-shaped nose still reminded of its predecessor. Optional V8 engines were available, with 4,933 cc (151 kW / 205 hp), 5,735 cc (189 kW / 257 hp), 6,555 cc (201 kW / 273 hp) and 6,604 cc (206 kW / 280 hp).

Pontiac Catalina 5th Gen specifications (1977-1981)

In 1978, the hardtop coupe was replaced by a normal coupe with B-pillars. Styling and engine palette changed only slightly.

1979 was again a facelift . The rectangular double headlights were built into a two-piece grill with lacquered, V-shaped center bar. The front remotely reminded of the model from 1961. The 6.6 l engines fell away without replacement.

Pontiac Catalina 5th Gen (1980) Advanced Maintenance

In 1980 it was possible to celebrate the return of the "nose", which made the cars appear more powerful - as they did from 1968 onwards. This styling had the Catalina in common with the Bonneville . The base engine increased to 123 kW (167 hp); In addition, there were V8 petrol engines with 4,342 cc (134 kW / 182 hp) and 4,933 cc (156 kW / 212 hp). Also new was the first diesel engine in the series, a V35 with 5,735 cc and a power of 118 kW (160 hp).

In the last year of production, a new V8 engine with 5,031 cc and 162 kW (220 hp) was added. Stylistically, there were few changes.

From Catalina created between 1958 and 1981, a total of 3.76 million copies.

Pontiac Catalina 5th Gen 1981 Service Guide (1977-1981)

Categories
Pontiac
Title
Pontiac Catalina 5th Gen (1977-1981)

Description

Have you Say: Rate this
Overall Vote
80% - 1 vote
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
1. Performance & Specification
80% - 1 vote
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Built to last?
2. Appearance Overall *Cool factor*
80% - 1 vote
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
How good it looks ?
Related items
Pontiac Catalina | Vehicles launched in 1977 | American Automotive 1980s | American Automotive 1970s

Technical

Technical
  • DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
    Catalina Coupé 3.559 1b, 1.614 kg - Sedan 3S2 1b. 1.29 kg -
    Catalina Safari 3.976 lb. 1.803 kg


    ENGINE 301 cu in
    8 cylinders
    301 cu in, 4.932 cc (4x3 in. 101.576.1 mm)
    compression ratio: 8.2:1
    5 crankshaft bearings
    lubricating system: 10 imp pt. 12 US
    Rochester M2MC downdraught twin barrel carburetor
    cooling system: 34.8 imp pt. 41.9 US pt

    TRANSMISSION
    gearbox:
    Turbo-Hydramatic automatic
    axle ratio: 2.410

    PERFORMANCE
    max speed: about 99 mph. 160 km/h
    max power (DIN): 135 hp at 3,600 rpm
    max torque (DIN): 235 1b ft. 2.4 kg m at 2,000 rpm: 28.4 hp/l

    ENGINE 350 cu in
    350 cu in, 5.736 cc (3.80 in. 96.5 x 97.8 mm):
    compression ratio: 8.1
    max power (DIN): 155 hp at 3.400 rpm
    max torque (DIN): 280 1b ft. 38.6 kg m at 1.800 rpm 27 hp/l
    Rochester M4MC downdraught 4-barrel carburettor
    cooling system: 25.2 imp pt. 30.2 US pt.

    TRANSMISSION
    axle ratio: 2.730.

    PERFORMANCE
    max speed: about 103 mph, 165 km/h
    power- weight ratio: Catalina Sedan 24.6 lb/hp.

     

     Production Figures

    1977

    61,678

    1978

    48,931

    1979

    33,531

    1980

    13,727

    1981

    7,530

     

    © Motor car History

    -Note:Advanced Maintenance and Repair Manuals available for registered users-

Manuals

Download: Workshop manuals Tech Guides exclusive to registered users.

  • Worldwide
  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Brazil
  • British
  • Bulgaria
  • canada
  • Czech
  • Chile
  • Czechoslovakia
  • China
  • Denmark
  • Egypt
  • Finland
  • Greece
  • Guernsey
  • Germany
  • Hungary
  • India
  • Ireland
  • Indonesia
  • Korean
  • Mexico
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • South Africa
  • sweden
  • Romania
  • Turkey
  • Spain
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • Serbia
  • Uruguay
  • Ukraine
  • United States
  • Venezuela
  • Yugoslavia
Related Pontiac
  • Pontiac ModelsPontiac Models
    • Chieftain
    • Fiero
    • Star Chief
    • Sunfire
    • Vibe
    • GTO
Related USA
  • American Related
    • American Automotive 1890s
    • American Automotive 1900s
    • American Automotive 1910s
    • American Automotive 1920s
    • American Automotive 1930s
    • American Automotive 1940s
    • American Automotive 1950s
    • American Automotive 1960s
    • American Automotive 1970s
    • American Automotive 1980s
    • American Automotive 1990s
    • American Automotive 2000s
    • American Automotive 2010s
    • American Concept Cars
    • American Sports Cars
  • Sports Cars
  • American Sports Cars
  • American Automotive 1940s
  • American Automotive 1950s
  • American Automotive 1960s
  • American Automotive 1970s
  • American Automotive 1980s
  • American Automotive 2000s
  • American Automotive 1990s
  • Vehicles launched in 1958
  • Vehicles launched in 1959
  • Vehicles launched in 1961
  • Vehicles launched in 1977
  • Vehicles launched in 1981
  • Pontiac Star Chief
  • Pontiac Chieftain
  • Pontiac Bonneville
  • Pontiac LeMans
  • Pontiac Grand Prix
  • Pontiac Grand Am

Enjoy all of Motor Car Here


  • You are here:  
  • Motor Car
  • Make and Model
  • P
  • Pontiac
  • Pontiac Catalina 5th Gen (1977-1981)

Back to Top

© 2025 Motor Car History