Long before the GTO cemented Pontiac’s reputation as a performance powerhouse, there was the Super Duty Program. Beginning in 1959, it allowed private racing teams to purchase lightweight body panels and high-performance mechanical components for use in drag racing. The program reached its peak in 1963 with the Catalina Super Duty before General Motors called a halt to proceedings. This 1963 Catalina is a Tribute to that era, featuring a fire-breathing V8 under the hood. It presents exceptionally well as a turnkey classic. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting the Catalina listed here on Craigslist in Plymouth, Minnesota. The seller set their price at $26,500, but may consider offers.
Launched as a standalone model in 1959, the Catalina badge remained a staple of Pontiac’s model range until 1981. The company released a new generation in 1961 that remained on sale until 1964. Our featured Catalina rolled off the line in 1963 and presents impressively in Arctic Ice Metallic. The listing indicates that it underwent a frame-on restoration, but not when. The paint looks consistent across the exterior, with a deep shine and no evidence of patchiness. I can’t spot any panel imperfections, and rust doesn’t seem to be an issue. The tinted glass looks flawless, and the trim is excellent. Pontiac’s approach to the Super Duty program included offering customers a range of aluminum body panels to reduce weight. More radical was the “Swiss Cheese” variant. Pontiac cut away frame steel in the box sections and drilled approximately 120 holes in the frame to lower the car’s curb weight. There is no indication that this Catalina has received that treatment, which is good news for those wishing to hit the road in this classic. That is because the frame modifications, designed specifically for racing duties, reduced the car’s overall structural rigidity. The relatively conservative wheels provide no hint of the potential lurking beneath the surface, which is why this Catalina is a genuine sleeper.
It is disappointing that the seller doesn’t provide a clear image of the engine bay, as this car is defined by what lies beneath the hood. The 1963 Super Duty received a 421ci V8, delivering a factory-quoted 410hp. However, as was the case during this period, it appears the company massively underestimated the output. A figure of around 500hp is considered more accurate, making the Catalina Super Duty a genuinely fast car. This Catalina doesn’t feature that engine, but it shouldn’t be taken lightly. The overbored 400ci V8 has a capacity of 414ci, and that’s just the starting point. It features forged pistons and conrods, although, with a compression ratio of 9.5:1, it will run on pump gas. Add an upgraded camshaft, cylinder heads, an Edelbrock Performer intake, an 800cfm carburetor, and headers to the mix, and the dyno figures of 526hp and 512 ft/lbs of torque are unsurprising. The power feeds to an Auburn 4.11 Posi rear end via a four-speed 4L80E automatic transmission with a TCI controller. That is a recipe for rapid motoring on the street or the strip. Although not specifically stated, it appears this beauty is a turnkey proposition.
Apart from the roll bar, additional gauges, and the genuine Super Duty wheel, this Catalina’s interior looks surprisingly stock. It is missing the radio, and the dashpad fit is odd. Otherwise, its appearance is as tidy as the exterior. The lack of wear on the carpet and seats suggests the car hasn’t seen much action since the build ended. The color combination is classy, and although it is essentially devoid of luxury touches beyond the cloth seatcovers, life aboard this Catalina would still be pretty pleasant.
This 1963 Pontiac Catalina might not be a genuine Super Duty, and its price reflects that. It is at the top end of the market for a V8 example, but it is considerably lower than the six-figure sum typically commanded by the genuine article. Potential buyers will receive plenty of “bang” for their bucks, and creating an identical car for $26,500 would be challenging. It will almost certainly find a new home, but are you tempted to make it yours?
Well thought out and executed. If it’s as nice as it looks in the pictures it’s a bargain.
This has definitely seen some track time, that roll bar is required for cars running 11.50 or quicker.
Steve R
One Sweet ride, one of Pontiacs finests creations in my book!
My dad bought a new 1963 dark blue 4 door Catalina from Roger Boas Pontiac in San Francisco. My dad traded in his 1957 Ford Fairlane he bought used from S&C Ford, also in San Francisco. Both dealerships long gone.
I knew Roger and his son John, met them in 1987 when I was a field rep for the SF Bay Area with Honda. I always loved walking through the labyrinth of hallways in the parts department where graffiti from famous bands was still on the walls, back from the days when the upper floor of the dealership was the Fillmore West. At one time, Boas Hinda was our top selling volume Honda dealership and was also the top selling parts department. They had a great crew and although Roger had some issues he had to deal with he was very good to his long term employees.
I knew Roger and his son John, met them in 1987 when I was a field rep for the SF Bay Area with Honda. I always loved walking through the labyrinth of hallways in their parts department where graffiti from famous bands was still on the walls, from the days when the upper floor of the dealership was the Fillmore West. Sometimes, I would just stand there alone, waiting for the ghosts of past concerts to appear. I used to drive my ’63 Catalina convertible to the dealership for fun, even though I was supposed to be driving a Honda… At one time, Boas Honda was our top selling volume Bay Area Honda dealership and was also our top selling parts department. They had a great crew and although Roger had some issues he had to deal with he was very good to his long term employees.
Boas was busted for using under age female prostitutes. Fact.
Wow, a real beauty! Well done mods. The last photo in the listing shows the car with the extra hood and 8-lug wheels. I did not see any mention of K-H 8-lug wheels, unless I missed it. I would love to have this car.
11.50 or quicker is rare air. 🏁 Very fast quarter.
With modern tires and a well built transmission with the right converter it’s not that hard. It you go to your local tracks Wednesday night, mid-11 second or quicker street cars with DOT tires are pretty common especially if the track isn’t at high elevation or it’s the middle of summer.
Steve R
Roll bar kind of renders the back seat unusable, doesn’t it?
Beautifully done. The upgrades are very well worth the asking price. These are truly some of GMs most handsome cars from the 60’s.
Nice car! A 4 speed and the infamous Ford Super Duty hood scoop would be great additions to the 8 lug wheels mentioned. Marc.
If those aren’t Lincoln tail lights I’ll eat your hat..or somebody’s something.
Would you like some salt with that hat?
Love it!
I think it’s safe to say that a giant 63 year old Pontiac pulling up next to you in a haze of hydrocarbons while shaking the pavement underneath you is not a “genuine sleeper.” Beyond that, love it. Just don’t expect to blend in, as the term sleeper implies.
There are a lot of really quiet 10 and low-11 second street cars at a typical Wednesday night (my home track had a starting line decibels reader, that sent a printout to the county every time it hit over 115db) or weekend bracket/Summit Series race. A lot of these guys race 30-45 times a year, they don’t want to get out of their car at the end of the night with their ears ringing. Many are driven to and from the track, it doesn’t make for good relations with the neighbors to come rumbling down the street on the way home at 11:00 pm or at 6:00am on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Most of these cars wouldn’t draw a second look at a stop sign, they aren’t put together to draw attention, rather they a designed to do a job. It’s the guy that goes to the track once, or never that tends to have the loud car.
Steve R