1961 Pontiac Catalina “Bubbletop”

Car History

“Bubbletop” is one of the terms that best describe General Motors' incomparable and stunningly beautiful hardtop models for 1961, which many think was a high-water mark of GM design.

You can see how the hardtop models from this year got their name from the view. Our 1961 Pontiac Catalina “Bubbletop” we have here at Adventure Classics has that iconic top plus the stubby fins and oval taillights that was styling considerably different from other contemporary American cars.

Just look at the curve on that rear window, and the reverse slope of the A pillar is very distinctive as well. Of course, the 8-lug wheels are great, too.

Engine & Drivetrain

The correct painted Pontiac blue engine in our 1961 Catalinas is a 389 cubic inch V8 that the seller tells us runs great and shifts as it should. Pontiac's well-engineered 389-cubic-inch V-8 was the primary engine, and ours has power steering, power brakes, and rare factory air conditioning.

Our Pontiac has the redesigned 119-inch wheelbase chassis that was new for 1961 that had a much stronger perimeter frame that provided added safety to the passengers in case of a side impact, a four-link suspension incorporating coil springs in the rear and the front suspension, with a front stabilizer bar, eight-lug Pontiac factory wheels and thin line whitewall tires.

Interior

The Catalina has the great plush Pontiac multi-color interior upholstery on its front and rear bench seats with matching door panels, carpet, and headliner.

It has a metal dashboard with a body-colored painted finish, bright metal insert that houses the speedometer is a single long piece of trim, the steering wheel is primarily made of clear plastic with colored hand grips, push-button radio, air conditioning, and chrome trimmed controls and features.

Exterior

The new styling of the Catalina two-door hardtop model quickly became known as the ''bubbletop,'' due to the curvy, somewhat bubbly shape of the backlite and the overall appearance of the whole rooftop.
This expansive window's rounded shape was further enhanced by the very slim C-pillars that surrounded it that was the key element that gave these hardtops their distinctive appearance and nickname.

Another hallmark design element that separated the 1961 lineup of full-size Pontiacs from its older and younger siblings was the grille. Ours has the twin-grille design that reappeared for the 1961 lineup, which became a hallmark Pontiac styling cue throughout the 1960s, lasting well into the late Seventies.

When the hood is closed, this trim visually ties together both grille sides, terminating in a powerful "V"-shaped expression at the hood's nose, where Pontiac's arrowhead emblem sits.

Ours is painted an elegant maroon with an accented white top, along with the Catalina nameplate on both sides in the styled accents.

Conclusion

Today, any bubbletop is considered a highly collectible classic car, regardless of which GM division it hails from but with each passing year, it seems that more and more enthusiasts are starting to appreciate their highly distinctive shape and stunning beauty of this 1961 Pontiac Catalina “Bubbletop” we have here at Adventure Classics.

Call or email us at:

AdventureClassics@gmail.com

(727) 580-9919 or (727) 688-1148

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