1962 Pontiac Models Described in Detail

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General Year Information

Full-size Pontiacs grew about an inch and a half for 1962. Wheelbase on the Catalina and Grand Prix went up to 120,” but stayed at 119″ for the wagons. Styling revisions included a V-shaped twin grille, full-length side sculpturing, and new rear end styling with curved tail lamps. Ventura trim became an add-on package for two Catalinas.

Styling changes for the Tempest line included a new wider-spaced split grille theme with a third grille section incorporating a V-shaped emblem placed in the center. Also new were the addition of bolt-in bright metal fins at the rear.

The big news was that the Grand Prix Sport Coupe bowed and that the Ventura model disappeared. It was now only an interior trim package on Catalina Convertibles and Sport Coupes. The Grand Prix was inspired by the success of the Oldsmobile Starfire. So Pontiac got the go ahead for their “sport” version, and it would prove an immediate success.

An automatic transmission was by far the most popular option among Pontiac buyers for 1962.  Automatic transmissions found homes in Pontiacs in numbers ranging from 94% of Catalinas to 99.5% of Star Chiefs.  Performance was still king, proven by  a total of 1,514 cars built with the 421 cubic inch Super Duty V-8s.

Across the board sales were up for Pontiac. It seemed that the public was climbing out of the recession and that large cars were coming back in favor.  Production increased from 340,7635 in 1961 to 527,981, with Tempest adding 149,737 to that total, placing Pontiac third in total vehicle sales for 1962.

Chassis Information

  • Wheelbase:Series 21 – 112″ Series 23 and 29 – 120″  Series 23 Safari and 27 – 119″, Series 26 and 28 – 123″.
  • Overall length: Series 21 – 189.3″ Series 23 Safari and 27 – 212.3″, Series 23 and 29 – 211.6″, Series 26 and 28 – 218.0″.
  • Front tread: (All Big Car) 62.5″, (Tempest) 56.8″
  • Rear tread: (All Big Car) 62.5″, (Tempest) 56.8″
  • Tires: Pontiac Coupes and Sedans 8.00 x 14, Station wagons 8.50 x 14, Tempests 6.00 x 15.

Models Offered

SERIES 21

There were five basic models, and two were named Customs and could be optioned with the LeMans trim package. The Tempest sport coupe and convertible came only with Custom level trim and could not be had with DeLuxe level trim packages.

Standard level equipment included heater and defroster, electric wipers, turn signals, left-hand visors, and five tubeless blackwall tires. Custom level Tempests had twin sun visors, cigarette lighters, DeLuxe steering wheel, custom upholstery, and special exterior trim. The Custom convertible had courtesy lamps as well.

SERIES 23

Ventura sport trim became an add-on package for the Convertible and Sport Coupe Catalinas. Catalina’s outside identification came from small hub caps, unaccented side spear moldings and “Catalina” in script on the front fenders. The nine-passenger Catalina Safaris were equipped with a power tailgate window.

Catalina standard equipment included turn signals, oil filter, cigarette lighter, sun visors, heater and defroster, windshield wiper and five tubeless tires.

SERIES 26

Star Chiefs were distinguished by full-length body rub moldings and three slanting stars on the rear fins. Interior trims included Pyramid Pattern cloth and Morrokide combinations or all-Morrokide.

Standard equipment included all Catalina features plus custom steering wheel, electric clock, DeLuxe wheel discs, right hand ash tray and decor molding, dual speed wipers and special upholstery.

SERIES 27

The Bonneville Custom Safari wagon continued as a separate series. It was the heaviest and most expensive Pontiac. Trim on Bonneville Safari included chrome side spear moldings with ribbed bands in the concave portion, elongated V-shaped rear fender medallions. “Bonneville” in block letters was located on the front fenders and on the left-hand radiator grille. Pleated Morrokide upholstery in two tones was featured, as well as a concealed luggage locker.

Standard equipment included all items found on the Star Chief plus padded dash and courtesy lamps

Series 28

The trim on the Bonneville included chrome side spear moldings with ribbed bands in the concave portion, elongated V-shaped rear fender medallions, ribbed trim moldings on the deck lid latch panel. “Bonneville” was found in block letters on the front fenders and deck lid latch panel and on the lefthand radiator grille. Upholstery was of fine woven Morrokide or optional all-leather. High-wing bucket seats were optional in Bonneville convertibles.

Standard equipment included all items found on Star Chiefs plus rear foam cushions, padded dashes, and courtesy lamps.

SERIES 29

The new-for-1962 Grand Prix in some sense replaced the Ventura model as it sat on the same 120″ wheelbase as the Catalina. The Grand Prix was identified by clean side styling with a checkered flag badge in the “cove” section of side spears. Further identification came from rocker panel molding, an anodized grille insert and nose piece, and special rear-end styling.

The standard equipment list included all Bonneville features except courtesy lamps, plus monotone Morrokide upholstery, bucket seats, and center console with tachometer.

Engines

Tempest I-4 – Synchromesh Transmission: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 194.5 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.06″ x 3.75″. Compression ratio: SMT 8.6:1. Horsepower: 110 @ 3800 RPM. Torque: 190 @ 2000 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 252°, Exhaust 252°, Overlap 38°, Lift 0.330″. Carburetor: Rochester one-barrel 7020061.
Tempest Base I-4 – Hydra-Matic Transmission: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 194.5 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.06″ x 3.75″. Compression ratio: 10.25:1. Horsepower: 120 @ 3800 RPM. Torque: 202 @ 2000 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 273°, Exhaust 282°, Overlap 55°, Lift 0.400″. Carburetor: Rochester one-barrel 7020062.
Tempest Optional I-4 – All Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 194.5 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.06″ x 3.75″. Compression ratio: 10.25:1. Horsepower: 166 @ 4800 RPM. Torque: 215 @ 2000 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 273°, Exhaust 282°, Overlap 55°, Lift 0.400″. Carburetor: Rochester Four-barrel (synchromesh) 7020079 (automatic) 7020066.
Tempest Optional V-8 – All Transmissions: Aluminum Block. Displacement: 215 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.50″ x 2.80″ Compression ratio: 11.0:1. Horsepower: 190 @ 4600 RPM. Torque: 220 @ 2400 RPM. Carburetor: Rochester four-barrel 7020068.
Catalina and Star Chief  Economy V8 – Synchromesh Transmission: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 389 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.0625″ x 3.750″. Compression ratio: 8.6:1. Horsepower: 215 @ 3600. Torque: 390 @ 2000 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 252°, Exhaust 252°, Overlap 38°, Lift 0.330″. Carburetor: Rochester 2GC two-barrel Model 7020060.
Catalina, Star Chief, Bonneville and Bonneville Wagon Economy V-8 – Hydramatic Transmission: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 389 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.0625″ x 3.750″. Compression ratio: 8.6:1. Horsepower: 230 @ 3600. Torque: 390 @ 2000 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 269°, Exhaust 270°, Overlap 49°, Lift 0.370″. Carburetor: Rochester 2GC two-barrel Model 7020071.
Bonneville and Bonneville Wagon V8 – Standard Transmission: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 389 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.0625″ x 3.750″. Compression ratio: 8.6:1. Horsepower: 235 @ 3600. Torque: 402 @ 2000 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 252°, Exhaust 252°, Overlap 38°, Lift 0.330″. Carburetor: Carter AFB four-barrel Model 3123S.
Catalina 267 HP V8 – Hydramatic Transmission: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 389 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.0625″ x 3.750″. Compression ratio: 10.25:1. Horsepower: 267 @ 4200. Torque: 405 @ 2400 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 269°, Exhaust 270°, Overlap 49°, Lift 0.370″. Carburetor: Rochester 2GC two-barrel Model 7020071.
Star Chief  V-8 – Hydramatic Transmission: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 389 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.0625″ x 3.750″. Compression ratio: 10.25:1. Horsepower: 283 @ 4400. Torque: 413 @ 2800 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 269°, Exhaust 270°, Overlap 49°, Lift 0.370″ Carburetor: Rochester 2GC two-barrel Model 7020071.
Bonneville & Grand Prix V-8 – Hydramatic Transmission (Optional on Safari, Catalina, and Star Chief): Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 389 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.0625″ x 3.750″. Compression ratio: 10.25:1. Horsepower: 303 @ 4600. Torque: 425 @ 2800 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 269°, Exhaust 270°, Overlap 49°, Lift 0.370″. Carburetor: Carter AFB four-barrel Model 3300S.
Grand Prix V-8 – Standard Transmission: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 389 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.0625″ x 3.750″. Compression ratio: 10.25:1. Horsepower: 303 @ 4600. Torque: 425 @ 2800 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 273°, Exhaust 282°, Overlap 55°, Lift 0.400″. Carburetor: Carter AFB four-barrel Model 3123S.
Optional 318 Horsepower V-8 – All Models , All Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 389 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.0625″ x 3.750″. Compression ratio: 10.75:1. Horsepower: 318 @ 4600 RPM. Torque: 430 @ 3200 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 273°, Exhaust 282°, Overlap 55°, Lift 0.400″. Carburetors: three 2-barrel Rochester carburetors: (front) 7013063 (center Syncromesh) 7020064 (center Haydramatic- catalina & Grand Prix) 7020069 (center – Star Chief, Bonneville & Wagon) 7020067, (rear) 7013065.
Optional 333 Horsepower 425-A V-8 – All Transmissions: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 389 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.0625″ x 3.750″. Compression ratio: 10.75:1. Horsepower: 333 @ 4600 RPM. Torque: 430 @ 3200 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 283°, Exhaust 293°, Overlap 60°, Lift 0.411″. Carburetor: Rochester 4GC 4-barrel (Catalina & Star Chief – Synchromesh) 3123S, (Catalina Grand Prix – Hydramatic) 3326S, (Star Chief & Bonneville – Hydramatic) 3300S.
Catalina, Star Chief, Bonneville & Grand Prix 421 V-8: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 421 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.09375 x 4.00″. Compression ratio: 10.75:1. Horsepower: 320 @ 4800 RPM.  Torque: 455 @ 4400 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 283°, Exhaust 293°, Overlap 60°, Lift 0.411″. Carburetor: 4-barrel Rochester Model 3300S.
Optional “Tempest 333 HP 425-A Block” V-8: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 389 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.0625″ x 3.750″. Compression ratio: 10.75:1. Horsepower: 333 @ 4800 RPM. Torque: 425 @ 2800 RPM. Five main bearings. Special high lift, long duration camshaft with Hydraulic valve lifters. Carburetor: Carter AFB four-barrel Model 3123S (syncromesh) 3300S (Hydramatic), low-restriction dual exhausts, and dual-breaker ignition.
Optional “Super Duty 425-A Block” V-8: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 389 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.0625″ x 3.750″. Compression ratio: 10.75:1. Horsepower: 348 @ 4800 RPM. Torque: 430 @ 3200 RPM. Five main bearings.  Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 283°, Exhaust 293°, Overlap 60°, Lift 0.411″. Carburetors: three 2-barrel Rochester carburetors: (front) 7013063 (center Syncromesh) 7020064 (center Hydramatic- Catalina & Grand Prix) 7020069 (center – Star Chief, Bonneville & Wagon) 7020067, (rear) 7013065. Low-restriction dual exhausts and dual-breaker ignition.
Optional “421 Super Duty” V-8: Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 421 CID. Bore and stroke: 4.09375 x 4.00″. Compression ratio: 11.0:1. Horsepower: 405 @ 5600 RPM. Torque: 430 @ 4400 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 283°, Exhaust 293°, Overlap 60°, Lift 0.411″. Carburetors: two 4-barrel Carter AFB carburetors Model (front) 3433  (rear) 3435. Low-restriction dual exhausts and dual-breaker ignition.
More detailed information on the 1962 389 CID V8 engines may be found in the 1962 AMA Specifications Sheets. You may access the Full Size sheets HERE and the Tempest sheets HERE, or use the navigation on the main page.

Engine Options and Availability

  • All Engine Options Listed as Engine Packages in the Engine Section Above.

Power Train Options

  • A three-speed manual transmission was standard on all models.
  • Super Hydra-Matic was $231.34.
  • Four-speed Synchromesh with floor shift was $231.34.
  • Dual exhausts were standard with the Trophy ‘425A’ and Super Duty V-8s and $30.88 extra on others.
  • Safe-T-Track differential was $42.00 .
  • Four-barrel carburetion as standard on Bonneville and Grand Prix and $24.00 on other models.
  • Tri-Power induction was $116.00 – $174.00 depending on model and transmission.
  • The four-barrel “425A” V-8 was $199.00 – $294.00 depending on model and transmission.
  • The Tri-Power “425A” V-8 was $312.00 – $401.00 depending on model and transmission.
  • The “421 Super Duty” V-8 was $2,250.00  regardless of model.
  • Seven rear axle gear ratios were available, with the 3.64:1 and 3.90:1 on special order only.

Body Paint Color Codes

Click the Paint Name for Paint Mix Codes

Significant Options – Full Size

  • Aluminum 8-lug hubs and drums ($108-122).
  • Bucket seats for Body Style 2867 ($116).
  • Console for Body Style 2867 w/bucket seats ($161).
  • Guidematic headlamp control ($43).
  • Magi-Cruise ($16).
  • Padded dash ($16).
  • Power bench seat ($97).
  • Power brakes ($43).
  • Power bucket seat ($28).
  • Power steering ($108).
  • Ventura trim for Body Styles 2339 and 2347 ($118.)
  • Upper decor group ($19-34).

Significant Options – Tempest

  • Air-conditioner ($319).
  • Back-up lights ($11-13).
  • Bumper guards ($16).
  • Electric clock ($16).
  • Exterior decor group combo ($54-67).
  • Interior decor group ($70-75).
  • LeMans option group, Custom convertible ($178).
  • LeMans option group, Custom Sports Coupe ($124).
  • Lower decor group ($34).
  • Padded dash ($4).
  • Power steering ($75).
  • Power tailgate window ($54).
  • Radio, manual tune ($54).
  • Radio, pushbutton ($62).
  • Remote control mirror ($12).
  • Tinted windshield ($20).
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