1963 · Pontiac · United States
1963 Pontiac Catalina and Super Duty 421
Three Super Duty 421 ratings up to 410 hp, then GM's racing withdrawal ended them early in the model year.
United States · researched through 2026-09-22
For 1963 Pontiac catalogued three Super Duty 421 ratings, 390, 405, and 410 hp, all manual-only and available only until February 1, 1963, offering the engine to racing teams early in the season before discontinuing it once General Motors ended factory-supported racing; a Pontiac bulletin dated January 24, 1963 confirms the cancellation of new 389 and 421 Super Duty orders while the lesser 421 HO remained catalogued. For ordinary buyers the 421 stayed available on all lines as a 353 hp four-barrel or a 370 hp Tri-Power option. A compiled table counts 234,549 Catalinas built for the year.1,2,3
The fact sheet states the Super Duty was available on the Catalina two-door sedan only for 1963, and no sourced production count for it was found. The seven Catalina body styles broke down as 79,961 four-door sedans, 31,256 Vista sedans, 14,091 two-door sedans, 60,795 hardtop sport coupes, 18,249 convertibles, 18,446 nine-passenger Safaris, and 11,751 six-passenger Safaris, summing to the 234,549 total; a separate transmission breakdown gives 16,811 cars with the manual synchromesh and 217,738 with Hydra-Matic, which likewise sums to that same figure; the production notes for this record state plainly that no source found counted the Super Duty cars specifically, so the 421's competition history has to be read alongside a Catalina total that cannot be split by engine.1,3,4
List prices ran $2,725 for the two-door sedan, $2,859 for the hardtop sport coupe, and $3,300 for the convertible, against a $2,250 price for the 421 Super Duty option itself while it remained available. The 389 ran a manual-only 215 hp two-barrel and an automatic-only 230 hp two-barrel, both at 8.6:1, plus an automatic-only 267 hp high-compression two-barrel at 10.25:1 and a 318 hp Tri-Power at 10.75:1; the catalogued 421 made 353 hp with a single four-barrel or 370 hp with Tri-Power, both also at 10.75:1. The three Super Duty ratings themselves differed in both induction and compression: 390 hp from a single four-barrel at 11.00:1, 405 hp from dual four-barrels also at 11.00:1, and 410 hp from dual four-barrels at a higher 12.00:1.3,1
A three-speed manual was standard, with a floor-shift four-speed Synchromesh and Super Hydra-Matic both optional at the same $231.34 price. Options included the 421 Super Duty itself at $2,250, Tri-Power induction ranging $116.00 to $174.00 by series, dual exhausts at $30.88 (standard equipment on HO and Super Duty cars), a $42 Safe-T-Track differential, aluminum hubs and drums ranging $122 to $138, a $161 console with tachometer or a $54 tachometer alone, and Ventura trim at $118.1
On a 120-inch wheelbase, the Catalina measured 211.9 inches long, 78.7 inches wide, and 55.2 inches tall, with a 64-inch tread front and rear, and the two-door sedan carried a shipping weight of 3,685 lb. Thirteen exterior colors were listed. The Catalina ran as series 23, with two-door sedan body 2311, hardtop sport coupe 2347, and convertible 2367; each car's cowl-mounted body plate recorded a build date, style number, body number, trim code, upper and lower paint codes, and factory accessory codes, with assembly plants identified by two-letter codes such as BA for Doraville, Georgia and PO for Pontiac, Michigan itself.1,3,5
Fact sheet · 1963 · United States
The numbers
1963 Pontiac Catalina and Super Duty 421 — Three Super Duty 421 ratings up to 410 hp, then GM's racing withdrawal ended them early in the model year.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-22.
Every figure is labeled with how sure we are. Reported means a manufacturer, registry, or reference figure we cite but have not reconciled against factory records ourselves. Disputed means credible sources disagree and both are shown. Rows are separately scoped; don't add them together unless the note says they make up a total.
Key facts
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catalina series total, all bodies3 Catalina · not stated by source The table presents the seven body rows as partitioning this total. The fact sheet gives 30,197 Safaris combined; the table rows sum to the same figure. | 234,549 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catalina 4-door sedan3 Catalina · 4-door sedan · not stated by source | 79,961 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Catalina Vista sedan3 Catalina · Vista sedan · not stated by source | 31,256 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Catalina 2-door sedan3 Catalina · 2-door sedan · not stated by source | 14,091 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Catalina hardtop sport coupe3 Catalina · hardtop sport coupe · not stated by source | 60,795 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Catalina convertible3 Catalina · convertible · not stated by source | 18,249 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Catalina 4-door Safari 9-passenger3 Catalina · 4-door Safari 9-passenger · not stated by source | 18,446 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Catalina 4-door Safari 6-passenger3 Catalina · 4-door Safari 6-passenger · not stated by source | 11,751 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catalina, synchromesh (manual) transmission4 Catalina · manual (synchromesh) · not stated by source | 16,811 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Catalina, Hydra-Matic transmission4 Catalina · Hydra-Matic · not stated by source With the manual row this sums to the 234,549 total. | 217,738 | built, model-year | Reported |
Super Duty production was not counted by any source found for 1963.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Catalina 2-door sedan3 | $2,725 | factory price as compiled, 1963 model year |
| Catalina hardtop sport coupe3 | $2,859 | factory price as compiled, 1963 model year |
| Catalina convertible3 | $3,300 | factory price as compiled, 1963 model year |
| 421 Super Duty V-8 option1 | $2,250 | option price as compiled, 1963 model year, until February 1963 |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| 389 2-bbl1 389 cu in · 2-barrel, 8.6:1 | 215 hp @ 3,600, 394 lb-ft @ 2,000 (SAE gross (period advertised rating)) | manual only; standard Catalina | Not yet sourced |
| 389 2-bbl1 389 cu in · 2-barrel, 8.6:1 | 230 hp @ 3,600, 386 lb-ft @ 2,000 (SAE gross (period advertised rating)) | automatic only | Not yet sourced |
| 389 2-bbl high compression1 389 cu in · 2-barrel, 10.25:1 | 267 hp @ 4,200, 405 lb-ft @ 2,400 (SAE gross (period advertised rating)) | automatic only; Catalina | Not yet sourced |
| 389 Tri-Power1 389 cu in · three 2-barrels, 10.75:1 | 318 hp @ 4,600, 430 lb-ft @ 3,200 (SAE gross (period advertised rating)) | optional all lines | Not yet sourced |
| 421 4-bbl1 421 cu in · 4-barrel, 10.75:1 | 353 hp @ 5,000, 455 lb-ft @ 3,400 (SAE gross (period advertised rating)) | optional all lines | Not yet sourced |
| 421 Tri-Power1 421 cu in · three 2-barrels, 10.75:1 | 370 hp @ 5,200, 455 lb-ft @ 3,400 (SAE gross (period advertised rating)) | optional all lines | Not yet sourced |
| 421 Super Duty 4-bbl1 421 cu in · 4-barrel, 11.00:1 | 390 hp @ 5,800, 435 lb-ft @ 4,400 (SAE gross (period advertised rating)) | manual only; until February 1, 1963 | Not yet sourced |
| 421 Super Duty dual 4-bbl1 421 cu in · two 4-barrels, 11.00:1 | 405 hp @ 5,600, 425 lb-ft @ 4,400 (SAE gross (period advertised rating)) | manual only; until February 1, 1963 | Not yet sourced |
| 421 Super Duty dual 4-bbl, 12.0:11 421 cu in · two 4-barrels, 12.00:1 | 410 hp @ 5,800, 430 lb-ft @ 4,600 (SAE gross (period advertised rating)) | manual only; until February 1, 1963 | Not yet sourced |
Ratings are the manufacturer's advertised figures under the standard shown (SAE gross before 1972, SAE net after). They are not dyno results, and gross and net ratings can't be compared directly.
Transmissions
| Transmission | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|
| Three-speed manual1 | standard | Not yet sourced |
| Four-speed Synchromesh, floor shift1 | optional, $231.34 | Not yet sourced |
| Super Hydra-Matic1 | optional, $231.34 | Not yet sourced |
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
421 Super Duty V-81 | $2,250 | Not yet sourced |
|
Tri-Power induction (price range by series)1 | $116 | Not yet sourced |
|
Dual exhausts (standard on HO and Super Duty)1 | $30.88 | Not yet sourced |
|
Safe-T-Track differential1 | $42 | Not yet sourced |
|
Aluminum hubs and drums (price range)1 | $122 | Not yet sourced |
|
Console with tachometer1 | $161 | Not yet sourced |
|
Tachometer1 | $54 | Not yet sourced |
|
Ventura trim1 | $118 | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
A |
Starlight Black1 | Not yet sourced |
C |
Cameo Ivory1 | Not yet sourced |
D |
Silvermist Gray1 | Not yet sourced |
F |
Yorktown Blue1 | Not yet sourced |
H |
Kimberley Blue1 | Not yet sourced |
J |
Silverleaf Green1 | Not yet sourced |
L |
Marimba Red1 | Not yet sourced |
P |
Aquamarine1 | Not yet sourced |
Q |
Marlin Aqua1 | Not yet sourced |
R |
Yuma Beige1 | Not yet sourced |
S |
Saddle Bronze1 | Not yet sourced |
T |
Caravan Gold1 | Not yet sourced |
V |
Grenadier Red1 | Not yet sourced |
W |
Nocturne Blue1 | Not yet sourced |
Color names are the factory's. We don't show color swatches, because a screen color is no guide for a restoration.
Interiors
| Code | Trim | Built |
|---|---|---|
228,233 |
Blue (cloth, vinyl, per the page's key) [Catalina trim list]5 | Not yet sourced |
229,234 |
Aqua (cloth, vinyl, per the page's key) [Catalina trim list]5 | Not yet sourced |
230 |
Green (cloth, vinyl, per the page's key) [Catalina trim list]5 | Not yet sourced |
231,236 |
Fawn (cloth, vinyl, per the page's key) [Catalina trim list]5 | Not yet sourced |
232,237 |
Maroon (cloth, vinyl, per the page's key) [Catalina trim list]5 | Not yet sourced |
238-294 |
Blue (vinyl, per the page's key) [Catalina trim list]5 | Not yet sourced |
239-295 |
Aqua (vinyl, per the page's key) [Catalina trim list]5 | Not yet sourced |
240,245 |
Green (vinyl, per the page's key) [Catalina trim list]5 | Not yet sourced |
241,246,251 |
Fawn (vinyl, per the page's key) [Catalina trim list]5 | Not yet sourced |
242-296 |
Maroon (vinyl, per the page's key) [Catalina trim list]5 | Not yet sourced |
243,248 |
Blue (vinyl, per the page's key) [Catalina trim list]5 | Not yet sourced |
244,249 |
Aqua (vinyl, per the page's key) [Catalina trim list]5 | Not yet sourced |
247,252 |
Maroon (vinyl, per the page's key) [Catalina trim list]5 | Not yet sourced |
299 |
Gray (vinyl, per the page's key) [Catalina trim list]5 | Not yet sourced |
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase1 | 120 in | Catalina |
| Overall length1 | 211.9 in | Catalina |
| Overall width1 | 78.7 in | Catalina |
| Overall height1 | 55.2 in | Catalina |
| Front and rear tread1 | 64 in | Catalina |
| Shipping weight3 | 3,685 lb | Catalina 2-door sedan |
Identification
- Series and bodies
- Catalina is series 23; 2-door sedan body 2311, hardtop sport coupe 2347, convertible 2367.3
- Body (cowl) plate
- Body (cowl) plate riveted to the top left cowl under the hood. It carries the build date (month 01-12 and week A-E), the style number (year, series and body style), the body number (assembly-plant prefix and production sequence), the trim code, the lower and upper paint codes, and factory accessory codes. The page's example plate reads: Build Date 05E; Style 63-2867; Body PO 83XX; Trim 76-B; Paint H-4; ACC. 1&1F-1X-1N-1T-2T-2V-5A.5
- Body-plate assembly-plant codes
- BA = Doraville, GA; BT = Arlington, TX; BC = Southgate, CA; BW = Wilmington, DE; BK = Kansas City, KS; EP = Euclid, OH; BL = Linden, NJ; PO = Pontiac, MI.5
Identification
Read a 1963 Pontiac VIN
The VIN decoder runs in your browser and never sends the VIN anywhere. How the factory numbered this year's cars:
Same model year
Also in 1963
- Buick Riviera Buick's first Riviera, a four-seat personal-luxury hardtop limited to 40,000 cars, with a 401 Nailhead standard and a 340-hp 425 added in December 1962.
- Buick Wildcat The Wildcat became its own series, adding a convertible and four-door hardtop; 35,725 built.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova First Nova Super Sport year in the source production table. Enthusiast-compiled production: 372,626 cars; Super Sport 42,432.
- Chevrolet Impala SS Super Sport (RPO Z03) peaks toward the 1960s high: 153,271 built, plus the Z11 427 drag package.
- Chrysler 300 letter series Hardtop-only and trimmed exclusively in Claret Red leather, the 300J carried a 390 hp short-ram 413 as its only engine; 400 were built, the smallest letter-car run.
- Dodge Dart 330/440, Polara and Max Wedge The Max Wedge grew to 426 cu in, rated at 415 or 425 hp, and a Ramchargers Dodge driven by Herman Moser won Stock at the 1963 NHRA Nationals; Ramcharger production remains unsourced.
- Ford Fairlane Hardtops and wagons joined the Fairlane line; reference-site counts give 28,268 bucket-seat Fairlane 500 Sport Coupes, beside 97,444 Fairlanes and 246,443 Fairlane 500s.
- Ford Falcon Sprint The mid-year 1963 1/2 Sprint put the Fairlane's 164 hp 260 V8 into the compact Falcon for the first time, as a hardtop and a convertible.
- Ford Galaxie The 406 opened the year and was replaced mid-year by the 427, in Q-code (410 hp, one four-barrel) and R-code (425 hp, two four-barrels) form, while a fastback Sports Hardtop was offered in the Galaxie 500 and 500 XL series.
- Ford Thunderbird The Sports Roadster's second and last year: only 455 were built.
- Mercury Marauder and S-55 The S-55 line grew to four bodies, and the mid-year fastback Marauder hardtop arrived with 390, 406 and 427 V8s available.
- Oldsmobile Starfire A squared-off roof with a concave rear window; production fell 38 percent to 25,890.
- Plymouth Savoy, Fury and Max Wedge The Super Stock engine grew to 426 cu in at 415 or 425 hp, a Stage II revision followed, and Chrysler's own four-speed arrived in May 1963; Super Stock production remains unsourced.
- Pontiac Grand Prix Production more than doubled to 72,959 at an unchanged price.
- Pontiac Tempest and LeMans A V8 for the Tempest, and about a dozen Super Duty Tempests built for racing before Pontiac's January 1963 withdrawal.
- Studebaker Avanti Studebaker's fiberglass four-seat coupe went on sale with a 289 V8 and an optional $210 Paxton supercharger. It was billed on the strength of a 1962 run of Bonneville records, and 3,834 were built as 1963 models.
- Studebaker Hawk The GT Hawk could now be ordered with the Avanti's R1 and supercharged R2 engines, and a spring 1963 package created the Super Hawk. Old Cars Weekly counts 396 R1 cars among 4,009 domestic GT Hawks.
- Studebaker Lark and Super Lark Studebaker offered the Avanti's R1 and supercharged R2 engines in the compact Lark and added a Super Lark package in April. No source read gives an R2 Lark count; the estimates run from about 200 to a few hundred.