1961 Pontiac Catalina

Semon 'Bunkie' Knudsen began working for General Motors in 1939 with the Pontiac Division. In 1955, he became general manager of the Detroit Diesel Division and a vice-president of the company, and general manager of the Pontiac Division in 1956. As head of Pontiac, he was tasked with improving the marque's sales and improving the company's image. Knudsen brought in Pete Estes from Oldsmobile as chief engineer and hired John DeLorean away from Packard as his assistant. Work began immediately on in creating high-performance versions of Pontiac's existing models. Success was swift and Pontiac rapidly climbed to third place in American sales standings by 1962, a position it held until 1969.

Under Knudsen, Pontiac became heavily involved in NASCAR racing and helped boost the company's new-found performance image. NASCAR and drag racing successes soon followed, and the AMA's self-imposed, loophole-ridden racing ban of 1957 was defiantly ignored. Pontiac cars that followed included the 1957 Bonneville convertible and the 1959 'Wide-Track' models. Drag racing successes spurred the release of the full-size Catalina Super Stock drag racing car in late 1961, with a Super Duty 389 V-8 engine offering 368 horsepower. Initially, the SD 389 was dealer-installed; later the SD 421 became factory options in 1962 inline with new NHRA requirements.

The 1961 full-size Pontiac Catalina was freshly restyled with slightly trimmer proportions for 1961. It was among GM Division's most important model lines fitted with many options, powerful engines, and drivetrain choices. No fewer than 43 variations of the 389 V-8 were available for 1961, nine of which were high-performance 'Special Equipment - 425A' units for 1962, so-named in recognition of their 425 foot-pounds of factory-rated peak torque. They were distinguished by the single four-barrel or triple carburetor intake system and the different manual or automatic transmissions and rear axles backing them up. With 10.75:1 compression, free-flowing cylinder heads, specially engineered 'Long Branch' header-style exhaust manifolds, and a hot cam, these engines were also known as 'Trophy 425A' engines in Pontiac factory literature.

Over-the-counter heavy-duty parts were made available for committed racers, delivering even more power for the 389. The track-intended Super Duty 389- and 421-cubic-inch engines – available only to 'qualified' racing teams favored by Pontiac management – were factory-available in 1962. The 'Tri-Power' 425A-spec 389 with 348 horsepower was Pontiac's most powerful engine that could be purchased from the dealer showroom.

13,354 Catalinas were produced in all for 1961 including 12,379 convertibles, which were 100 pounds lighter than its larger Bonneville cousin. Other body styles included a sedan, 2-door hardtop, Vista Hardtop, 2-door sport sedan, and a 6- and 9-passenger station wagon. The base 389 V-8 overhead-valve engine offered 215 horsepower. Standard equipment included tubeless blackwall tires, cigarette lighter, sun visors, and electric windshield wipers.

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2019