It’s GM and Ford duking it out bruiser-style in 1965.
Just because you want a big American four-door land yacht from 1965 doesn’t mean you have to check your performance aspirations at the door. Below is a riveting comparison of the 1965 Pontiac Catalina with a 421ci V8 versus a 1965 Ford Galaxie with a 427ci V8. Both can shred plenty of rubber, but only one can be the champion of this smackdown.
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This debate for some comes down to a GM vs Ford issue. There are plenty who are so married to their automaker of choice they would literally rather die than drive a car from a rival. Since this is America, you’re completely allowed your strong opinion on automakers. But this comparison isn’t about that entrenched argument. Instead, it’s about two cars being judged on their own merits, not the companies which made them.
One factor favoring the Catalina was that it grabbed Motor Trend’s Car of the Year award. Does that mean it’s automatically better? No. But it does mean it was good enough to impress the editorial board back in 1965.
Both cars pack what were arguably the hottest V8s on the market back then. Motivating the Catalina is a monstrous 376-horsepower and 466 lb.-ft. of torque. The Pontiac also has a three two-barrel carbs. As for the Ford Galaxie, it uses a dual-quad setup for a peak 425-horsepower and 480 lb.-ft. of torque. You also get a manual four-speed transmission in both cars, demonstrating their dedication to enthusiast driving. Plenty of space on both rows of seating make the Pontiac and Ford practical for bringing along the kiddos for a drive. Neither one looks like a performance vehicle, so they’re great sleepers.
As you know, there can only be one victor in this matchup. Unfortunately, Muscle Car of the Week leaves the decision up to its viewers. Or maybe that’s a good thing? You decide.
