Many times I look at cars that are claimed to be rare by their sellers and wonder how rare is “rare.” Not this time – this is one of only sixteen Grand Prix Super Duty cars produced in 1962, as documented by this list. It’s listed for sale here on eBay where bidding is rapidly approaching $30,000 and I suspect it will go much higher. The car is located in Troy, Michigan.
Super Duty. Two words that will thrill most Pontiac fans. At one point in time, according to this article, it was believed that the 1962 421 Super Duty engine, essentially a drag racing engine in a street car, was only installed in Catalinas. As it turns out, 16 Grand Prixs were produced with the behemoth of an engine as well. This car, a genuine unrestored find, is in completely as-found condition. Unfortunately, that means that it is without it’s original engine. More about that later. In the meantime, look at those great 8-lug wheels!
There doesn’t appear to be a lot of rust, and the seller reports largely original paint apart from some previous accident damage on the right front fender and where a tree limb fell on the right rear quarter panel. There’s some rust scale on the underside, but it doesn’t look too bad.
On the bright side, the interior doesn’t look like it’s been messed with. On the not so bright side, it doesn’t look like it’s been maintained, either. I suspect given the rarity of the car whomever ends up with it will want to make it perfect. By the way, yes, that is a factory four-speed transmission — remember, this car was made for the drag strip! With only 49,176 original miles you’d think it would have it’s original engine, but you’d be wrong.
Here’s the hole where the engine should go. The seller reports that unfortunately the original engine no longer exists, or at least it’s not with the car. However, someone has gone to the trouble to source an original 421 Super Duty block, and they have also found an original aluminum dual quad intake, original heads, and the very rare factory high performance exhaust manifolds.
Here’s the block. What do you think about the idea of the replacement block? Personally, I don’t see it any differently than if the original owner had blown the engine at the drag strip (which might have actually happened!) and replaced the engine with a same year Super Duty–i.e. I don’t see any problems with it. How about you?
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