1962 Pontiac Catalina Hardtop

In 1926, Pontiac debuted as a companion marque to Oakland and was a survivor through the Great Depression, and by the 1950's enjoyed a reputation for durable but bland vehicles. Sales faltered mid-decade and Semon 'Bunkie' Knudsen arrived to breathe life into the flagging brand. He eliminated the venerable Silver Streak chrome strips ('suspenders' in his lexicon) and aggressively supported motorsports in an effort to overhaul Pontiac's image. This performance emphasis endured for many years.

Meanwhile the Catalina name first appeared in 1950 to denote any hardtop body style but eventually became a separate model - the Division's entry level full size offering powered by a variety of 389 cubic-inch engines ranging from pokey to thundering. Catalina and Pontiac's burgeoning performance devotion coalesced with the 421 Super Duty. The engine was first offered in 1961 for drag racers but NHRA rule changes required production engines in stock classes. So, General Motors added it to the factory option sheet for 1962, though fewer than 180 of the pricey $2,250 options were built.

It was officially rated at 405 horsepower, but real output was likely much higher. These were truly race engines complete with four-bolt mains, forged rods and crank, solid lifters, NASCAR heads and twin four-barrels. Cast-iron headers were fitted with removable exhaust dumps. Only manual transmissions were offered as no GM automatic could handle the 421.

This recently restored Mandalay Red Super Duty 421 boasts a host of weight saving options Pontiac offered, including an aluminum front-end and a modified frame.