1963 Pontiac Catalina 421 Super Duty

Pontiac enjoyed  a popularity revival in the early 1960’s , due in part to the 1963 Pontiac Catalina 421 H.O.

In 1963, Pontiac offered a limited number of lightweight Catalinas designed specifically for racing. They were nicknamed “Swiss Cheese” because of the 120 Grapefruit sized holes punched in the side sections of the perimeter frames, and the side of the box section was removed. They had Aluminum panels on the Hood, Trunk, Fenders and Bumpers.

There were only 14 “Swiss Cheese” 1963 Pontiac Catalina 421 Super Duty cars produced. The lightweight construction and materials gave the car an overall weight of 3,308lbs. The engine was reported to produce 420 horsepower, but in reality produced well over 500. The 300 lb. savings was very significant, and gave these cars an edge. Buyers could specify the “Super Duty Option” and go racing, turning ¼ mile times of low 12’s and near 120mph.

At Detroit Dragway, a lightened 1963 Pontiac Catalina running the big 421 cu in , 405 hp Super Duty V8 roared through the ¼ mile in 12.38 seconds at 116.23 mph. The car sported a 12.0:1 compression ratio, dual 4 barrel Carter Carbs, and a Warner T-10 4 speed transmission.

Even a 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix, weighing over 2 tons and with a 3.23:1 rear axle ratio could run the ¼ mile in just over 15 seconds at 92mph with the 421 H.O. street  engine. It was one of the smoothest, most responsive high performance street engines that was available in the Muscle Car Era. Not to mention that it also sat in one of the most handsome larger-sized Muscle Cars of the 1960’s !