• Pontiac's seventh-generation Catalina passenger car represented a downshift in the size of American sedans. Rising fuel prices and stringent emissions regulations promulgated by the federal government and the California Air Resources Board prompted Pontiac to discontinue Catalina nameplate in 1981. 1977 marked the first year of the last generation of the Catalina.
  
  

Styles

• Pontiac offered the Catalina in two-door coupe, four-door sedan and Safari station-wagon models. Catalina sedans and coupes came equipped with Buick-built V6 power, while the station wagon came standard with a V8. Two larger V8s were optional. Within each bod style, buyers could choose from a variety of comfort and convenience options.
  
  

Powertrain

• The Buick 231-cubic inch V6 that came standard in sedans and coupes produced 106 horsepower at 3,200 rpm and 185 foot-pounds of torque at 2,000 rpm and sent power to the rear wheels via a three-speed automatic transmission. The 302 V8 that was standard in Safari station wagons cranked out 135 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 250 foot-pounds of torque at 1,600 rpm, also through a three-speed automatic. An optional 400-cubic inch V8 required more fuel but offered 180 horsepower at 3,600 rpm and 325 foot-pounds of torque at 1,600 rpm. A 350-cubic inch V8 was offered, as well. A four-speed automatic transmission was optional in the Catalina, offering improved fuel economy to offset its higher cost.
  
  

Suspension, Steering and Brakes

• The sedan, station wagon and coupe all rode on an independent wishbone front suspension with coil springs and an anti-roll bar, with a live-axle, trailing-arm setup in the back. All Catalina models were rear-wheel drive and offered recirculating ball-type power steering that required 3.5 turns from lock to lock. Braking was accomplished via a set of ventilated discs up front and drum brakes in the rear. Coupes and sedans rode on a 115.9-inch wheelbase.
  
  

Dimensions and Weight

• The Catalina coupe measured 214.3 inches in length, stood 53.9 inches tall, measured 75.7 inches wide and weighed 3,472 lbs. with the standard V-6 engine. Sedans came in the same length and width, but were shorter than the coupes in terms of height at 53.2 inches. Equipped with the standard V6 powerplant, sedans tipped the scales at a curb weigh of 3,501 lbs. The Safari station wagons measured 214.7 inches long, 75.7 inches wide and 57.3 inches tall. Curb weight with the standard 302 V8 was 4,023 lbs. Adding the optional 400 V8 increased curb weight to 4,065 lbs.