question for all you car guys. I've been reading around that the catalina is regarded today as a muscle car, whereas the bonneville doesnt retain this status. however their engines are almost exactly identical. Was this because the bonneville was more luxurious and therefor heavier?

thanks.
mike.

They were both big cars but the Bonneville has always been a ghetto sled lol so the catalina was a tad lighter

how odd...I had a friend with a '64 Catalina and that thing was huuuge...i cant really see how it could be considered a muscle car....interesting though.

what was the case with the grand prix?

In Western Pennsylvania, the old Bonnevilles back in the days of the "Wide Track" ads were always considered the ultimate Hot Cars. Teenagers generally couldn't afford them, but they were what everyone aspired to, so as people started earning good money in their 20s they often bought one. Lee Iococca said the Bonneville and Corvette were the inspiration for his Mustang : he wanted to create a car with that same Hot Car mystique but which would be actually affordable for more people.