1963 Pontiac Catalina SD: Mickey Thompson’s Swiss Cheese Legend This 1963 Pontiac Catalina Super Duty, bearing VIN/Serial 363P97386, is a rare and significant piece of American racing history. One of only 14 “Swiss Cheese” Catalinas ever produced and one of just two built specifically for Mickey Thompson, this car represents the pinnacle of Pontiac’s racing efforts before the 1963 AMA ban. Powered by a 421ci Super Duty V8 engine and featuring extensive lightweight modifications, this Catalina is a true racing icon. It will cross the block at the Indy 2025 auction on Saturday, May 17th.
Performance and 421 Super Duty V8 Power: The heart of this Catalina is a 421ci Super Duty V8 engine, equipped with dual Carter AFB carburetors and a special aluminum intake. These engines, conservatively rated at 405 horsepower, were built and installed by Pontiac Engineering after the car’s initial assembly. Power is delivered through a Borg Warner 3-speed manual transmission. The car also features rare lightweight cast aluminum exhaust manifolds, further enhancing its performance.
Exterior Styling and Lightweight Modifications: All “Swiss Cheese” Catalinas were finished in Firefrost Silver and featured a blue interior. The most notable modification is the approximately 120 holes drilled throughout the frame, giving the cars their nickname. Other lightweight components include an aluminum hood with fiberglass bracing, aluminum inner and outer front fenders, aluminum bumpers and brackets, and a radiator support. The boxed rails and front sway bar were also eliminated.
Interior Comfort and Racing Equipment: The interior features a split-folding bench seat and auxiliary Stewart Warner gauges for oil pressure and water temperature. A factory tachometer is also present. The car was ordered with sound deadening and seam sealer removed to reduce weight. The battery was relocated to the trunk.
Racing History and Restoration: This Catalina was extensively raced on the West Coast under the Mickey Thompson banner. It underwent a comprehensive restoration by Scott Tiemann of Supercar Specialties in 2012, with a photo binder documenting the process. The car is also accompanied by PHS paperwork.
Summary:
- 1963 Pontiac Catalina Super Duty “Swiss Cheese”
- 421ci Super Duty V8 engine
- 3-speed manual transmission
- Firefrost Silver exterior
- Blue interior
- 1 of 14 produced, 1 of 2 for Mickey Thompson
- Extensive lightweight modifications
- Restored by Scott Tiemann
- Auction: Indy 2025, Saturday, May 17th
Disclaimer: Vehicle specifications and reported conditions may vary. Buyers should conduct thorough inspections and verifications.
Source: mecum.com
This article was crafted with assistance from Gemini
