A highly selective zeolitic reforming catalyst is disclosed that contains a promoter selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, and titanium; and that has a platinum to promoter weight ratio of less than 10:1. In one embodiment a type L zeolite is formed by combining an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, and ferric nitrate with an aqueous solution of silica to form a thickening gel in a mother liquor; heating the thickening gel to form a type L zeolite; cooling the solution containing the type L zeolite; decanting the mother liquor from the solution; filtering the type L zeolite from the solution; washing the filtered type L zeolite so that the pH of the wash is about 101/2; and drying the washed type L zeolite. The catalyst is formed by adding platinum to the dried type L zeolite by pore fill impregnation with an aqueous solution of Pt(NH.sub.3).sub.4 (NO.sub.3).sub.2 to form a catalyst; drying the catalyst and calcining the catalyst.