Sept. 11, 1964 - The Pontiac Division of General Motors Corporation showed its 1965 line of restyled cars in Mount Clemens, Mich., today.
E.M. Estes, a General Motors vice president and Pontiac general manager, outlined the features of the 1965 models at the division’s annual press preview. The official introduction date is Sept. 24.
The most important changes at Pontiac in 1965 will be the restyled Catalina, Star Chief, Bonneville (pictured), and Grand Prix models, which will be completely new from the body shell out. The Tempest will retain the same basic body but will have a new front and rear end.
The new full-sized Pontiacs will emphasize the styling features that have become a division trademark. The cars will retain the raised rear fender, divided grille, and vertical headlights that other lines are carrying in 1965. But roof lines, particularly in the Catanna sports coupe, will have more of a slant.
The divided grille on the full-sized Pontiacs will be accented in the 1965 models, giving the cars something of a “nose” in the center of the front end.
The sheet metal around the headlights will be set back, with the lights protruding.
Convertibles will utilize glass in the rear window, which the division expects will improve visibility.
Pontiac, aided by the fast-selling Tempest, has raised its share of the domestic car market to 9.4% so far this year from 8.1% a year ago, Mr. Estes said. The division already has orders for 116,000 1965 models, which is 30% ahead of a year ago, he said.
Mr. Estes dismissed the rise of the Ford Mustang, which in the latest 10-day sales report displaced Pontiac as the industry’s third-best seller, as a temporary situation influenced by the fact that Pontiac’s models were not in the dealers’ showrooms.
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