The Pontiac Catalina is an automobile which was part of Pontiac's full-sized line from 1950 to 1981. Initially, the name was used strictly to denote hardtop body styles, first appearing in the 1950 Chieftain Eight and DeLuxe Eight lines. In 1959, the Catalina became a separate model, as the "entry-level" full-size Pontiac. The Pontiac Catalina was built in five generations: 1st Gen (1959-1960), 2nd Gen (1961-1964), 3rd Gen (1965-1970), 4th Gen (1971-1976), and 5th Gen (1977-1981).