Part II: The 2009 POCI/GTOAA Co-Vention Mezzanine Display
Last month, HPP brought you coverage of the 2009 POCI/GTOAA Co-vention, held July 7-12, 2009, in Dayton, Ohio. With so much to do and see, it was impossible to squeeze all of the excitement into one issue-we saved some for Part II.
Royal Pontiac campaigned this...
Royal Pontiac campaigned this red, silver, and blue '63 Catalina Super Duty Swiss Cheese car driven by Jim Wangers. Today it is fully restored and way too valuable to see active duty.
This month, we bring you the crème de la crème-some of the rarest Pontiacs in muscle-car history. In case you missed last issue, the POCI/GTOAA Co-vention featured a display on the mezzanine level of the Nutter Center. Fifty-nine invitation-only cars were displayed for event participants and spectators. Among them were SD-421 Catalinas and Tempests (including three "Swiss-Cheese" cars), ultra-rare GTOs, one-off show cars, a Pontiac-based Batmobile, and much more. We highlight a portion of those 59 in this story.
Editors note: Special thanks to the POCI/GTOAA Co-vention for honoring deceased HPP contributor Quint Stires by running his '70 GTO burnout video on the main video screen of the arena floor at the Nutter Center. Not mentioned last month, Ben Harrison of General Motors also provided a detailed presentation regarding his years at Pontiac.
If you have a copy of the...
If you have a copy of the '70 GTO dealer brochure, you'll recognize this beauty. It's the actual "pilot line" car used for the brochure's photography.
Not all '70 Hurst SSJs were...
Not all '70 Hurst SSJs were white and gold. This example shows one of the variant color combinations that was available to the public. It's unknown how many of these Black and Gold SSJs were produced.
Remember the Motor Trend '62...
Remember the Motor Trend '62 Catalina SD-421 test car that we featured in the Oct. '08 issue of HPP? Here it is again, displayed by its owner Eugene Riotte.
In 1968, Pontiac exported...
In 1968, Pontiac exported this Ram Air Firebird to Australia. Notice the hood tach on what you would think is the passenger side looking inside, you'll see why: There's a mirror image of a '68 Firebird, including the dash, steering wheel, pedals, and power windows master control switch which were moved to the righthand side. The conversion was performed by GM Holden. This Firebird is currently in Rob Lozins' collection.
...looking inside, you'll...
...looking inside, you'll see why: There's a mirror image of a '68 Firebird, including the dash, steering wheel, pedals, and power windows master control switch which were moved to the righthand side. The conversion was performed by GM Holden. This Firebird is currently in Rob Lozins' collection.
This '71 1/2 GT-37 was originally...
This '71 1/2 GT-37 was originally ordered new by John Sawruk and is still in his family's collection. It features a 400 engine, a four-barrel Rochester Q-jet, and a Turbo 400 transmission. The information pictured next to it is a great tribute to John.
| POCI POINTS JUDGED RESULTS |
| Concours d'Elegance Junior |
| 1969 Firebird |
David Armstrong |
| Survivor Gold |
| 1967 GTO |
Bill Brunker |
| 1969 Grand Prix |
David T. James |
| 1971 LeMans Sport |
Bill Knotek |
| 1967 GTO |
Donald Babb II |
| 1965 GTO |
Ken and Nancy Lichtle |
| Survivor Gold Senior |
| 1972 GTO |
Henry "Terry" Pope III |
| 1966 Bonneville |
Scott Bryson |
| 1977 Firebird |
Mark Jaffke |
| 1967 Bonneville |
Henry Rudolph |
| 1976 Firebird |
Tim Sabula |
| 1977 Grand Prix |
William Tripp |
| Survivor Gold Junior |
| 1976 Grand Prix |
Clifford Saxon |
| 1932 Business Coupe |
Neal Keller |
| 1970 GTO Judge |
Richard Whaley |
| 1976 Grand Prix |
Jimmy Cruz |
| 1966 Bonneville |
Mike O'Brien |
| 1978 Firebird |
Gary Lisk |
| 1971 LeMans Sport |
Ken Moravek |
| 1973 Firebird |
Jon Limes |
| 1962 Tempest |
Melvin H. Lewis |
| 1971 Grand Prix |
Scott Mancini |
| 1978 Firebird |
Dan Minnich |
| 1973 Firebird |
Jack Stroh |
| 1984 Fiero |
Keith Johnson |
| 1979 Firebird |
Ken Bauco |
| Stock Gold |
| 1969 Firebird |
George Farley |
| 1946 Streamliner |
Rick Shoestock |
| 1967 GTO |
Bill Gallagher |
| 1957 Bonneville |
Dick Peden |
| 1968 GTO |
Frank A. Fregiato |
| 1967 GTO |
Doug Wollgast |
| 1967 GTO |
Samuel Williford |
| 1969 Grand Prix |
Michael Spizziri |
| 1966 GTO |
Donald C. Biller |
| 1980 Firebird Trans Am |
Fil Ferrauto |
| 1966 GTO |
Frank A. Fregiato |
| 1970 GTO |
Edwin Wolf |
| 1967 GTO |
Larry Crookshanks |
| 1992 Trans Am GTA |
Brian Beckort |
| 1977 Firebird |
Eric & Laura O'Dell |
| 1970 GTO Judge |
Chuck Cocoma |
| 1962 Catalina |
George Melasecca |
| 1967 GTO |
Al Hudson |
| 1965 Catalina 2+2 |
Jack Anderson |
| 1971 GTO Judge |
Larry Morton |
| 1970 GTO Judge |
Rob Anderson |
| 1964 Catalina 2+2 |
Mark Tilson |
| 1958 Bonneville |
John M. Schouveller |
| 1967 GTO |
John Novelli |
| 1974 Firebird |
Richard Winkles |
| 1976 Firebird Trans Am |
Larry Reeb |
| 1966 2+2 |
Steven Heitbrink |
| 1926 6 Cylinder |
James A. Martin |
| 1966 GTO |
Mike Sloan |
| 1966 2+2 |
Gary W. Kittle |
| 1962 Catalina |
Dennis Koss |
| 1957 Bonneville |
Dave Trokey |
| 1966 GTO |
Robert A. Carroll |
| 1969 GTO |
Joseph Cofrancesco |
| 1964 GTO |
Anthony J. Drain |
| 1964 Grand Prix |
Jim Schmidt |
| 1964 Grand Prix |
Jim Schmidt |
| 1967 Catalina |
Alex Ipiotis |
| Stock Gold Senior |
| 1971 LeMans Sport |
Michael Butts |
| 1964 GTO |
Timothy Drain |
| 1965 GTO |
Dick Lackey |
| 1964 GTO |
Brian Thomason |
| 1927 Landau Sedan |
Dwight Ford |
| 1984 Firebird |
Silvio Kimmel |
| Stock Gold Junior |
| 1969 GTO Judge |
Milton Robson |
| 1955 Chieftain |
David Zolnai |
| 1967 Firebird |
Kerry Klotzman |
| 1965 GTO |
Dan Ray Timmerman |
| 1986 Grand Prix 2+2 |
Charles Speaks |
| 1969 GTO |
Alex Ipiotis |
| 1967 GTO |
Vince DePinto |
| 1969 GTO |
Mark Glaser |
| 1967 GTO |
Terrell Weiner |
| 1963 Catalina |
Ken Colacino |
| 1964 GTO |
Mark Mastin |
| 1967 GTO |
Ronald Blake |
| 1969 GTO |
Dave Foglton |
| 1988 Fiero GT |
O.T. Huster |
| 1964 GTO |
Ken Moravek |
| 1968 Firebird |
Michael J. Wempe |
| 1967 GTO |
Mike Hill |
| 1984 Firebird |
Steve Reichow |
| 1957 Bonneville |
Robert Stott |
| 1967 GTO |
Kenneth Hoving |
| 1973 Firebird Trans Am |
Brian Hoffeller |
| 1969 GTO Judge |
John Kryta |
| 1964 GTO |
Wm. "Tom" Gerrard |
| 1969 Grand Prix |
David Risner |
| 1989 Firebird |
Silvio Kimmel |
| 1967 Catalina 2+ 2 |
Richard Larabee |
| 1965 GTO |
Robert F. Coleman Jr. |
| 1966 Acadian |
Bill Wertheim |
This '63 Catalina Super-Duty...
This '63 Catalina Super-Duty (also owned by Rob Lozen) is 1 of 88 and features a 421, two four-barrels, and an ultra-rare aluminum front end, hood, and front and rear bumpers. It also has a four-speed and 4.30 gears.
Holy Pontiacs, Caped Crusaders!...
Holy Pontiacs, Caped Crusaders! How did the Batmobile end up on a Grand Prix chassis? This one-off, Barris-inspired conversion was as a good as the real-thing-actually, even better because it's powered by a Pontiac 455. It also features a Bat Ray Beam, Bat Chain Cutter Blade, Rocket Tubes, Rear View Camera, Radar Scope, and Bat After Burner. Now those are some factory options we would loved to have seen.
This '62 Catalina Super-Duty...
This '62 Catalina Super-Duty is No. 103 of 162 two-door hardtops. It features a 405hp 421, an aluminum front end and bumpers, a four-speed, and 4.30 gears. It's owned by Bob Alling of Phoenix, Arizona.
Mecum Auctions brought out...
Mecum Auctions brought out its collection of rare Pontiacs including the original '65 GeeTO Tiger contest car with Hurst Gold paint and color-matched Hurst mag wheels. To win it, all you had to do was count how many times the word "Tiger" appeared in the "GeeTO Tiger" song, send in your entry, and then, of course, have plenty of good luck on your side.
This '69 GTO is the original...
This '69 GTO is the original CARS magazine Ram Air V test car, prepared by Royal Pontiac and now owned by Bill Schultz. The pictorial behind it delves into the complete history of the car.
Who says the cars get all...
Who says the cars get all the attention? This supercharged and injected tunnel-port Ram Air V engine with billet heads was built for Arnie Beswick's "Boss Bird" Funny Car and had no problem holding its own among the rarest Pontiacs of all time. It's owned by Eric Larson and Mike Garblik.
| Stock Silver |
| 1970 LeMans Sport |
Ann Scott |
| 1972 LeMans |
Matthew G. Marinelli |
| 1958 Parisenne |
Larry Allen |
| 1960 Catalina |
Joseph M. Mandarano III |
| 1963 Catalina |
Jim Crawford |
| 1974 Firebird |
Bob Woodward |
| 1970 GTO Judge |
Bill Stovall |
| 1958 Bonneville |
Robert Newman |
| 1975 Firebird |
Ralph Parco |
| 1964 GTO |
Bob Wessel |
| 1971 GTO Judge |
Milton Robson |
| 1968 GTO |
Nick Parker |
| 1969 GTO Judge |
Arthur Lawrence Floyd |
| 1965 GTO |
Scot Drake Jr. |
| 1967 Firebird |
Beverly Reedy |
| 1987 Firebird Formula |
Robert Schmieder |
| 1939 Special |
James Barnhart |
| 1966 GTO |
John Myers |
| 1959 Catalina |
David Cardina |
| 1926 Coupe |
Larry Goodman |
| 1969 GTO |
Bob Serrao |
| Stock Silver Junior |
| 1970 GTO Judge |
Mark Gelinas |
| 1969 GTO Judge |
Jack A. Scott |
| Stock Bronze |
| 1952 Chieftain 8 |
Marqurite & Faye Shute |
| 1969 GTO Judge |
Arnold Hubbard |
| 1967 Grand Prix |
Barbara Casile |
| 1974 GTO |
Richard Whaley |
| 1966 LeMans Sprint |
Richard Hiler |
| 1966 2+2 |
Leo H. Cummings Jr. |
| 1970 GTO Judge |
George Turner |
| 1986 Fiero |
John D. Davis |
| 1969 GTO Judge |
Larry Reeb |
| 1969 GTO Judge |
Scott D. Hudler |
| 1966 Bonneville |
Linda Lerz |
| Modified Gold |
| 1969 Firebird |
David Brown |
| Modified Silver |
| 1967 GTO |
Charles Tull |
| Modified Bronze |
| 1956 Star Chief |
James J. Harrelson |
| 1965 GTO |
Roger & Susie Genter |
| 1966 Grand Prix |
Andrew Rock |
| 1971 GTO |
Douglas Fiechtner |
| 1965 GTO |
Frank D. Platt |
| 1967 GTO |
Ken Kasper |
| 1965 GTO |
Jerry Hamilton |
| 1967 GTO |
Fred A. Mazzoni |
| 1965 GTO |
Terry & Kathryn Becker |
| 1965 LeMans |
Ken Braun |
| Champion Plaque + Chip Senior |
| 1959 Bonneville |
Mike Frey |
| 1973 GTO |
Jim Early Jr |
| 1965 Catalina |
Jack Pinchot |
| 1967 Firebird |
Ardyn Dempsey |
| 1958 Bonneville |
Wm. "Tom" Gerrard |
| 1958 Bonneville |
Martin Hirsch |
| Champion Chip Senior |
| 1966 GTO |
Ron Gunn |
| 1988 Fiero |
Joe Kiwak III |
| 1967 GTO |
Tony Boehm |
| 1961 Catalina |
Jim Carroll |
| 1970 Trans Am |
Mark Levin |
| 1955 Star Chief |
Raymond Gravelin |
| 1965 GTO |
Stephen Kiellar |
| 1966 GTO |
Brandon Scott Goodwin |
| 1964 Bonneville |
Norman Shotts |
| 1966 Bonneville |
Ken Kucia |
| 1961 Ventura |
Wayne F. Beran |
| Best of Show Pre-War |
| 1932 Pontiac V-8 |
Larry Shepherd |
Best of Show Post-War &
Glen Kooyer Memorial Award Winner |
| 1948 Pontiac Woodie Wagon |
Larry Crider |
Pontiac never made a '62 Bubbletop...
Pontiac never made a '62 Bubbletop Catalina, but this example was expertly created by David Greene and features a Mickey Thompson factory-experimental aluminum 389 engine.
Mecum also displayed this...
Mecum also displayed this '63 421-SD Swiss Cheese Catalina sponsored by Packer Pontiac and raced by Howard Maseles.
Jack Dale's '68 Superteen...
Jack Dale's '68 Superteen Firebird was a George Barris-built contest giveaway car on ABC TV's "Sounds of '68" national talent contest. It is one of three made, and believed to be the last one in existence.
This '63 Tempest 421-SD station...
This '63 Tempest 421-SD station wagon is 1 of 6 ever produced. It was originally campaigned by Joe DeNick and is currently in the Mecum collection.
Mecum's collection included...
Mecum's collection included the '65 GTO that was prepared by Hurst Engineering to pace the Riverside 500. It's the first Pontiac to ever have Hurst mag wheels and was given away to a lucky ticket holder after the race. An identical car was given to the race winner, Dan Gurney, but it is believed to have been destroyed.
This restored 1-of-6 421-SD...
This restored 1-of-6 421-SD LeMans, was originally campaigned by George DeLorean, brother of Pontiac General Manager John DeLorean. It's in the Mecum collection.