Few people remember the Pontiac Executive, and you can’t blame them. Pontiac produced this car for only four years between 1967 and 1970, eventually ditching the nameplate to maximize Bonneville’s potential.
Pontiac Executive launched in multiple body styles, including sedans and coupes, but the GM brand never offered a convertible.
The car was never a hit. Its production started with approximately 35,500 units and declined gradually, with the last year on the market bringing only 21,936 vehicles to the road.
One of them has recently emerged from the garage where it spent several years.
The car landed on Craigslist a few days ago, with the owner explaining that it had been “sitting in a garage for several years.” Unfortunately, they didn’t offer more specifics, so it’s unclear how long “several years” means and whether the car was stored properly.
They claim the body is in good shape, but you should inspect all metal parts before committing to a purchase. A car spending years in storage typically has undercarriage rust—fortunately, a photo showing the car’s sleeping place reveals a concrete floor, so it’s safe to assume you won’t find much floor damage.
The car seems in good shape, and the interior requires some attention. I’ve seen interiors looking significantly worse and still got fixed, so I don’t see why this Executive wouldn’t be cleaned and repaired to look like a new car.
The engine under the hood is the most mysterious bit on this Pontiac. This Executive rolled off the assembly lines with a 455 V8 under the hood, but its condition is currently unknown.
The 455 was the top engine option in 1970, producing 370 horsepower. It was introduced to replace the 428, which was offered with 390 horsepower until 1969. The base unit was a 400ci mill with 265 horsepower. The engine lineup was borrowed from the Catalina, with most Executives leaving the factory with a three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission.
This 1970 example has the same gearbox installed, but it’s unknown if it shifts correctly. An in-person inspection—highly recommended, considering the car has been sitting for years—should help a potential buyer get more information.
It’s hard to tell if $9,000 is a fair price for an Executive, mainly because you can’t find many nowadays. The car looks doable, and if the engine is not broken, you should be able to bring it back to the road with minor TLC. The buyer will have to inspect all parts and see what’s missing, but considering the Executive was similar to the Catalina from a mechanical perspective, building a complete package is possible.
You can find this Pontiac in Riverside, California, and you’ll need a trailer to take it home, considering its non-working state.