Welcome to the Hooniverse Obscure Muscle Car Garage, a feature in which I showcase a particularly powerful Detroit built vehicle and try to convince you that it’s really a muscle car, and then try and back up that bold statement with eloquent words, and pretty pictures. The time was 1964, and Pontiac was about to introduce a mid-sized machine that would be the template that all the other car makers would try and replicate, and that would be the Tempest G-T-O. However, Pontiac also introduced a Full Sized Barn Burner in the form of a trim package available on the Catalina. Introducing the Pontiac (Catalina) 2+2. By 1964, there was a new age of performance machines that had dawned in America, and was marked not so much by an all out horsepower race, but rather horsepower served with a sophisticated balance of power, handling, and tasteful design. Excessive chrome and tailfins were out, bucket seats, racing inspired wheels, center consoles, and floor shifters were in, and just about every car company was about to introduce them. With the 1964-1967 Pontiac Catalina 2+2, Pontiac achieved a combination of raw power, terrific handling, and fine styling superior to any other big Pontiac, as well as the competition. The 2+2 package was first offered as a $291 option on Catalina hardtops and convertibles in 1964. The package included a potent 389 V-8 packing between 267 and 283 hp, a special interior featuring bucket seats, center console with vacuum gauge, and unique exterior badges. Both a four-speed manual and a four-speed Hydra-Matic transmission were available. The package was limited for 1964, and only 7,998 Catalinas were equipped as a 2+2. A year later with all new styling, Pontiac applied the huge 421 V-8 as standard in the 2+2 package. The 2+2 was equipped with fender louvers and special hood/deck badges to identify it, and included in the basic option was a three-speed Hurst floor shift, heavy duty shocks and springs, a 3.42:1 performance rear axle, some chrome engine parts, and full wheel covers. These items raised the price of the package to $419 for coupes or $397 for convertibles. Adding a four-speed transmission, the “Custom Gauge Cluster” with comprehensive needle instruments, and power brakes/windows/antenna brought the cost up to about $4,000 for the hardtop. The all new ’65s had increased in size and weight, but the 2+2’s potent drivetrain provided Muscle Car performance. With the optional Tri-Power 421 High Output engine and four-speed gearbox, a 2+2 could routinely reach 95 mph in the standing-start quarter-mile, according to the period test rags like Hot Rod, and Motor Trend. Car and Driver (March 1965) tested a Catalina 2+2 and recorded a top speed of over 130 mph (210 km/h) and a 0-60 time of just 3.9 seconds. The 3.9 time may not be typical of commercially available 2+2s, as it has been suggested that the actual car used was a ringer. Few changes occurred in 1966, except that the 2+2 was now listed as an individual model (dropping the Catalina designation), and was once again available as a hardtop or convertible. The identifying louvers were now moved from the front fenders to the rear fenders, and a Pontiac shifter replaced the Hurst unit. In 1967 the 2+2 reverted to a Catalina package again, with a price of around $400, but the base engine was now a 428 with a single four-barrel carburetor. The option included Deluxe wheel discs and steering wheel, Decor moldings, bucket seats, the three-speed, dual exhausts, and a heavy-duty stabilizer bar. A 428 HO engine remained available, but was now missing the optional triple 2bbl carburetor setup, though the horsepower ratings were the same (at 376 HP). There were only 19,672 Catalinas that had the 2+2 option from 1965 through 1967, and I could not find a breakdown of coupes vs. convertibles. This brings the total number of 2+2s built to 27,670 units, and how many remain is up for discussion. So there you have it, a full-sized Pontiac that could be called a Muscle Car, but I have to ask this question… Is it really all that Obscure, and should it go into the Hooniverse Obscure Muscle Car Garage? Did you know about it? Answer truthfully, and then vote. [poll id=”222″] Please Note: All Images are screen grabs from around the web. If you want credit for any image, please let me know in the comments section. Thank You!