1964 Pontiac Catalina Hardtop
SOLD Mecum Action Kissimmee 2022 - $65,000
More than a cosmetic restoration, this 1964 Pontiac Catalina Hardtop packs a very special powerplant from the Golden Age of factory-backed Super Stock drag racing: one of 12 preproduction 421 CI Super Duty engines produced by Pontiac Motor Division in early 1961 and allocated to prominent Pontiac drag racers of that era. Most significantly, it is one of six of that original batch of engines provided to the great Mickey Thompson, who enjoyed a close working relationship with Pontiac Motor Division General Manager Bunkie Knudsen, the originator of the Pontiac Super Duty parts program led by an elite engineering team that included future legends Elliot “Pete” Estes and John Z. DeLorean.
Originally targeted at NHRA Super Stock racing, the 421 Super Duty V-8 engine incorporated 4-bolt mains with special Moraine aluminum bearings, heavy-duty oil and cooling systems, dual inline Carter AFB 4-barrel carburetors atop a special intake manifold, forged steel crank and rods, and forged, aluminum, high-compression Mickey Thompson pistons. The engine made its debut on August 6, 1961, at the Pomona Valley Timing Association, where Hayden Proffitt—driving Mickey Thompson’s 421 SD-powered Catalina —overpowered “Dyno Don” Nicholson’s 409 Chevrolet in the Super Stock Eliminator
final. Proffitt won again at the 1961 U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis, taking the crown from the 409-powered Chevrolet of Dave Strickler and Bill “Grumpy” Jenkins and cementing the 421 Super Duty’s superiority.
Presenting in Aqua Marine with a matching tri-tone blue interior and redline tires on period- correct American Racing Torq Thrust wheels, this restored 1964 Catalina Hardtop’s 421 Super Duty engine was purchased in 2017 by the current owner from renowned drag racer Don Fezell, who purchased the engine years ago from the original owner, Mickey Thompson himself. Equipped with dual-quad induction, M/T finned aluminum valve covers, custom headers by the Atlanta Speed Shop and mated to a 4-speed manual transmission, the engine’s provenance can be found in such details as the crank casting number (542990) and correct cylinder head casting numbers and date codes, the latter indicating production on July 12, 1961 at the earliest stage of Pontiac’s Super Duty Program. Offered with the original build sheet, this 421 Super Duty-equipped 1964 Catalina’s lineage offers a direct link to a special time in Pontiac drag racing history.
421 Super Duty Replica car
• Aqua Marine with matching Tri-Blue interior
• Pontiac 421 Super Duty V-8 engine
• Cylinder heads no. 540306
• Cylinder heads date code no G121, July 12, 1961 earliest beginnings of Pontiacs
Super Duty Program
• Crank casting no. 542990
• Engine produced by Pontiac Motor Division
• 1 of 12 pre-production Super Duty engines produced and granted by Pontiac Motor
Division to prominent drag racers of that era
• 1 of 6 awarded to Mickey Thompson
• M/T finned aluminum valve covers
• Dual Quad intake
• 4-speed manual transmission
• Custom headers built by The Atlanta Speed Shop
• Power steering
• Power brakes
• Torq Trust wheels with Redline tires
• Sun tachometer on steering column
• Current owner purchased engine from Don Fezell in 2017. Don purchased from
original owner Mickey Thompson
- Original build sheet
#PontiacCatalina #1964PontiacCatalina #TwoGuysandARide #Pontiac
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