The GREATEST Drag Car Survivor - Record-Holding Pontiac Catalina

This 1960 Pontiac Catalina is by far the ULTIMATE SURVIVOR. It has original paint, original parts, and all of the documentation you could ever imagine. This car has history dating back to 1964, and was a National Record Holder in 1970 and 1971. You just have to see this historic drag car to believe it. The coolest thing about it is the fact that it runs and drives!
If you're interested in purchasing this piece of drag racing history, send me an email at [e-mail] and I'll pass you along to the owner.
#hotrodhoarder #dragracing #history

[@justralphajerseyguystuckin3671]

I Remember that CAR Racing ! as I grew up in South Plainfield N.J.- and with my dad in the 1960's as a kid- watched the Drag Races at Englishtown Raceway Park(formerly Madison Township Raceway Park), and really do remember this car because my name is Ralph, and loved seeing Ralph's Garage on the side, which really wasn't that far away from where I lived. I cannot believe it's still so intact and looks just like the days it used to race- OMG !

[@neal6418]

That's awesome brother. Such neat stuff. That car looks like it was cleaned and polished every month for the last 50 plus years. It's cool to know how you related to this one growing up. 👍👍👍

[@barneymiller7894]

It's crazy this guy designed pieces for the Apollo 13 module, this guy should have a movie about him for sure!

[@dominickserignese8837]

I grew up in Bloomfield Connecticut. The next town over, which was Windsor Connecticut There was a guy that had two 65 GTOs, a white hard top and a blue convertible. He would Flat tow the convertible with the hard top to Connecticut dragway in Colchester Connecticut. This was 1978 when I was 12 years old. He would park these two cars out in front of his house, because back then they were just cars. It was such a cool site watching those cars, one being told by the other. This story reminded me of that guy.

[@bobbrinkerhoff3592]

At the end of the 1971 season the NHRA changed the rules for Stock class , outlawing all 1959 and older cars , and putting in place a twelve year rule , so after the '72 season this car was done . This was done to keep the Big Three automakers happy because they found it difficult to sell new muscle cars , when the buyers kept seeing '57 Chevys winning at the tracks every week .

[@LITTLE1994]

Strange, but interesting.

[@josephmartinez8803]

And the "NEW MUSCLE CARS" were on their last legs by '73!

[@bobbrinkerhoff3592]

@@josephmartinez8803 you've got that one right .

[@bobbrinkerhoff3592]

@@LITTLE1994 it got worse . The new PURE stock classes were not allowed to be towed or trailered into the track , the headers everyone ran were outlawed , stock manifolds and exhaust only , and NO cutouts allowed. The dual quad intake and super Duty heads on this car , outlawed , not available on a 389 engine . They kept changing their minds on what year was going to be the cutoff point , before settling on 1960 . Then they had the balls to ask why all these guys quit racing .

[@h.r.puffnstuff8705]

@@bobbrinkerhoff3592 thanks for sharing all that. Sounds like the sanctioning body’s were brought on board to help kill off the Muscle Car era. 1970/71 the bull sh!t began. Insurance Company’s, manufactures, and all forms of auto racing in the USA. Big changes happened 1971.

[@kevinbarrett9615]

Love this ! Great car , so historic and original. Thanks John for your service, my dad was a Korean War vet , but Canadian. May there services never be forgotten.

[@buff6637]

That is a beautiful survivor drag car! 😍🇺🇸🇺🇸😍

[@55GMCSuburban]

I think the story of the owner is worth more than the car itself. Unbelievable history tied to this car and something any care taker should be proud to own and share.

[@Funsho97]

Awesome that this great car and driver's history are preserved through magazine articles and this video. I see that Mr. Eleazer passed away a year ago today. If he were still with us I would say, Thank You for your service Sir, may you Rest In Peace. Good job on this video!!!

[@haworthlowell805]

Love those old school stock eleminator cars. This one needs to be in a musium someplace with all the information on display. Hope you can find more & do more videos like this. Thanks.

[@lieugebo805]

The fine gentleman that was the original owner of this car it sounds like this incredible car was just one small part of your very interesting and prosperous life thank you for your service and may you rest in peace and with honor ❤️❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@lonnyjaw]

These old 'Junior Stock/Stock Eliminators from back in the day are sooo cool! From back in the GOOD DAYS of Americana history when we still had FUN, FREEDOM, and LIBERTY. Keep up the great work!

[@gearmeister]

Pontiac & Olds have such a big history in drag racing... my favorite cars to look out for are Pontiac super duty cars of the 50's & 60's. Thanks for the great video!

[@geraldcharles1624]

Very interesting story, neat car, the first Road Runner, how cool. Thanks for the great presentation.

[@Ecosse57]

man, i am just blown away by this. godspeed running deer.

[@adamhoffman3687]

I know the current owner is considering selling but it seems like he was the right guy to find and preserve it. Good video and good job

[@donayers5925]

I had a 60 Catalina. Loved it !

[@ImForwardlook]

One of the greatest clips on KZbin! Thank You!

[@philigan2339]

Watching this was a real treat. So many memories of the 60's & 70's coming back. Thanks.

[@pontiacmaniac100]

i remember reading about this car years ago,and very cool that it is still so original. i do have to make 1 correction though. he stated the heads were 421 super duty heads, they are not- in the shot you can clearly see they are the HO street head, 1963/64, they are the 716 cast head used on the 63 421, and the only head on the 64 gto, and also used on the 64 421, and 389 tripower.they are a great head, and refered to as the "street HO head".

[@63grandsport11]

THANKS....I ordered this exact kind of 1960 Pontiac in Silver at the end of 1959. It was my first street/drag car. I had 3-2's then 6-2's then a Paxton blow thru supercharger. Back in 1961 people thought there was something wrong when they heard it running because they didn't understand what the whining noise was. It was my start into performance and I dearly loved that Pontiac and how it ran back in those early days. Those were the days before the Christmas Tree, when they spotted you car lengths ahead of the starting line. and the other car had to run you down.👍

[@EvilSSP]

It's sad that more cars aren't preserved like this. So much great history like this has been lost already.

[@jakespeed63]

Absolutely incredible slice of history. Thanks a million for sharing!

[@user-js4vh2lw6n]

Thank you for sharing this amazing time capsule! That car should definitely continue to be preserved for the future!

[@cjbeeg]

Amazing, while this car is from before my time it's from my hometown. Grew up in Old Bridge close to Raceway Park. Ty for sharing this history!!!

[@neal6418]

That's really cool 👍👍

[@robertburke3316]

This car used to race at englishtown NJ.

[@rustyaxelrod]

She’s a rowdy old gal! That clip of it idling made my heart beat faster.

[@jojo1966]

My family had a 60 station wagon So many memories!! Thank you for this.. The starter on the pre ‘64 389s bolted to the transmission housing. Do you know how they sorted that out? Maybe an adapter plate?? Thanks. I’m redoing a 63 Grand Prix right now… Cheers.

[@JA-sm9zf]

What a wonderful old drag car! Thanks for sharing.

[@neal6418]

Oh my goodness !!! THAT car is priceless. How does a guy put a price on such a magnificently awesome piece of drag racing history. It's a MUSEUM PIECE. Thank you brother for letting us see how it was done.... around the time I was born. I'll just have to say that this is another fantastic piece of drag racing history that you've brought to the masses. Excellent job 💪👍👍 edit:::: oh wow...I jumped the gun on commenting before watching the whole video because I was so excited. To actually see John Eleazer is MORE priceless than I could ever imagine. I'm blown away. The good Lord has HIS hands in this for sure.....💪

[@mick_1949]

Wow, that's a great story. It would give me chills too. 👍

[@NathansMoparGarage]

That is a great story. It's cool to see a vintage drag car that is still ready to go down the track.

[@hydroy1]

There are many replicas that are very correct nowdays.

[@tamike1957]

You suspect this car is a replica?

[@deweygill1973]

What a great car and story. The fact this is so well preserved is amazing. Back in 1975 on a whim I took my daily driver, a 1967 Buick GS 400 to Great Lakes Dragway on grudge night. I ran a 14:20 totally stock. The only modification was the two speed automatic was replaced with a turbo 400 with a shift kit. Those years were so much fun. I spent the nights tearing up the streets.

[@ForsakenSteel]

What a great car and story. I love the early 60's Pontiac Catalinas.

[@Channelscruf]

That’s the best looking Pontiac Road Runner I’ve ever seen.

[@stevehilliard1495]

Nice car, loved the dedication someone had. I really appreciate you helping Sleeperdude on the burnout competition 😎👏

[@Enigma-Sapiens]

Great video, car, & story, thank you! Also, thank you for helping sleeperdude get to the Bristol burnout competition too!

[@johndehaven8694]

I've never heard of UHRA. Would like to know more about it.

[@williamlink3951]

My Father had a 1960 Pontiac Catalina/ white/2 Door/ 389 cid. He traveled & sold textiles using that Pontiac as a daily driver! I wish he had kept that Pontiac that was purchased new at Frank Woods Pontiac in Charlotte, N. C. IT WOULD ""FLY"!!!!

[@groverbuilt2893]

I remember that car out at national speedway in fact I ran against him in time trials he was one of the first guys around to embrace the four-speed automatic transmission back in those days they didn't have available accessories Whitehall converters clutches etc. I would love the opportunity to at least start the process of investigating purchasing this old Pontiac

[@timothytruax3131]

Contact Tommy for my info. Would love to speak with you.

[@richardturk7162]

I had a cool can on my 71 Dodge Demon and they really worked. Never tried aluminum foil but have used clothes pins to soak heat out of the fuel lines. Very cool car indeed.

[@anthonysmohawkspeedshop324]

That’s an amazing treasure of drag racing history. They don’t make them like that anymore. The old school guys and ways are unfortunately disappearing. Thanks for sharing it with us!

[@tommyg5565]

Awesome car. My dad in New Brunswick NJ raced a 1960 Catalina called "The owl" at Englishtown, Atco, island dragway. I wonder if they raced each other

[@davidking3918]

Really nice to see this well preserved servivor.love all these old early cars.this would be a great car for someone to produce plastic model kits of this amazing car.thanks for sharing.

[@1pieman]

That was a great history lesson so cool to see this car so well preserved thank you for sharing this great story keep them coming just when I say it can't get any better you pull this out of your hat 👍👍

[@chuckmiller83]

The story and condition of the car is incredible. Great video!!

[@RandysFiftySevenChevy]

Always a pleasure. Love your content and every time I say I'm only gonna watch a few minutes of one, I always watch every minute. I really love to hear about the east coast historic cars.

[@marxfish]

Wonderful automotive history. Got a kick out of the newspaper article because as we all know nothing says drag racing like "black leather jackets and sideburns". Honey! Get the kids in the house!!

[@davida.p.9911]

What an amazing history and what an amazing man Mr. Eleazer was. 🇺🇸🇺🇸 Thank you for your service, sir! If I had the money, that would definitely be a car I'd consider purchasing. And still capable of running a decent 1/4 mile!! 👍👍Thanks for sharing!!

[@ronnieka3309]

Thanks for this great video.

[@Slowgroovin]

Love to watch these big drag cars run.

[@jameslester7253]

That brings back memories for me my dad had a 60 Bonneville with a 389 4 barrel it was fast as hell and he'd take it out on weekends and drag it on the streets don't think he ever got out ran

[@tommymitchell2935]

Thanks for sharing awesome poncho

[@barneymiller7894]

Awsome car, I love Pontiac stuff! Been saving parts for years to do a model A with a 389 and lots of Pontiac touches. 👌

[@terryeustice5399]

Very interesting it being still compleat. And a great story. Thank you for sharing

[@chasmontecarlo7271]

Great video brings back a lot of memories.when in high school 1965 I had a 1953 ford after that a 1955 Chevy I love all the old cars. Now I have 1972 Chevy montecarlo with a 350 stroker motor- 388 getting ready to run . Thank you for all of your knowledge on these car 👍🇺🇸

[@tonyt8805]

Thank you Tommy Lee!!! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 Another really cool video with an amazing back story. 😎 😉 😎

[@philhunt3908]

That is one great peace of history amazing car thanks for sharing 👍

[@vehdynam]

That is too cool ! What a find, fantastic survivor . It sounds great. Many thanks.

[@almoffat7504]

That’s the sort of history lesson I like thank you for sharing it 👍🇦🇺

[@WEtow]

Great content brother! Keep it up. Also interested in some of the cheating aspects, sketchy rides, homemade parts etc. The things that separated men from boys

[@MrPappysCobra]

Great video Tommy!

[@MrNitromike1]

Always like your videos.

[@davidwood1923]

Man was that Cool!... Thanks for Sharing. Keep Up the Great Work... Brother

[@bruceplumisto]

Excellent episode!!

[@brandaneakright6082]

That video was really cool and thanks for sharing the history of the car with us, that car is really a cool old car that deserves to be shown off.

[@OdySlim]

That is so awesome. Thank you ! Regards from Ody Slim

[@hydroy1]

Chances are you're missing a bunch of information on that 389. It was not just a production 2 bolt main poured arma steel crank 389, not even a 389A trophy motor, it was a completely different 4 bolt main, forged steel crank & heavy duty steel forged rod solid lifter 389 Super Duty they built from 1959 till early 1962 when it was replaced by the history making bigger main journal 421 Super Duty. That 389 Super Duty was no dog, and some say it really was a more dependable motor then the 421 SD beast that won everything in 61 to 63. If you were to put that 389 SD motor on a current day motor dyno, I am sure it would clear 450hp and 500hp is not out of the question. That would be all motor as there was very little No-2 or anything else being used back then.

[@timothytruax3131]

Hello I’m Tim the owner. I would like to document your info. Are there numbers that would prove this motors provenance? Thanks

[@briantomcollins]

A New England boy... the tri-state area has a lot of history. Pretty cool to get to see some of it. Gotta check out Dead Man's Curve car club. The prez has a 40 Willy's street freak he built in the 70's. Basically unchanged since then. It's basically a gasser club. Amazing cars...

[@tommycook9620]

Hell yea man always awesome

[@jimmycricket5366]

Beautiful, beautiful beast! Love that tail end.

[@LITTLE1994]

Awesome find! Still looks mostly fresh!

[@dannmohr5721]

Great job keep the vids coming👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸👍👍

[@matrox]

Nice Plymouth Road Runner.✊😁

[@outlawofga]

I truly love this channel and the things you bring to us. Like this car here, such a unique piece.. Keep up the good work and when you get down around middle Ga. Give me a shout,.dinner is on me my friend... We'll eat and talk cars 👍😎

[@rc648]

Wow! What a time capsule! Great story about the owner! How many miles show on it?

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Very cool!!!! 👍👍

[@ditchweed7170]

WOW. Incredible I'd love the story

[@HotRodHoarder]

Thanks for watching!

[@brandonbell3089]

PONTIAC POWER 💪💪

[@ChrisDavis-dt6xx]

Very nice

[@davidwrobel8089]

Painted on Long Island NY, not just NY

[@SaneCayne]

Holy cow, that's a lumpy cam! I can see how that rowdy engine would pull that boat down into the mid-13s with no problem. Sure be awesome if I racer bought it and ran it at nostalgia drag events a couple times a year.

[@indianaslim4971]

Brian Bealer just did a video on his u-tube channel where he searches cars for sale and his search for 59-60 Catalina shows that model car in similar condition to be worth $30-40,000 without having a race heritage so my guess is this car would be worth $40-50,000, if not more. Of course anything bought or sold reveals the true value, all else is speculation and guesswork.

[@JohnW1711stock]

If you go from Lebanon Valley to Cecil County that car would be about .25 seconds quicker. LV is higher and usually has a head wind. Atco would also be quicker than LV. There was a black 60 Pontiac that ran at Capitol called Arapaho.

[@g1967]

Dad can i borrow your car to go to Sonic ? I'll get there & back really quick !

[@mattskustomkreations]

Super cool! Thanks for sharing. I think “Eleazar” is pronounced “el-lee-AY-zar” and is an old biblical name. I love the artwork on some of those rule books.

[@timothytruax3131]

John said his family pronounces it Eeleezur

[@judgegixxer]

Wow

[@Sleeperdude]

Race car

[@mikecalvin1402]

Great car 🎉🎉😅😅😅😅

[@brucefulper2433]

Those 9770716 heads are NOT Super Duty heads. They're 63 street 421 and 64 GTO heads, And the dual quad intake ias a 1963.

[@pittsky]

OMG

[@quagmiredavis4117]

Thanks God its. Being driven like it was built for .. collecting dust is bullshit. I still race grandads old fords and Pontiacs he's 91 loves to ride still gives Me grief if I don't give that 421 or ford 427 the full can of beans ... lmao 🤣

[@erniegreen8592]

Seen an old HOT rod nag that gave away a light waight verson of it was towed away by a car just like it,

[@billsmith8739]

Where was the car found at? If it was said I missed it...

[@timothytruax3131]

The car was a NY NJ car. It is currently in KY.

[@dotell3359]

What happened to the original owner?

[@timothytruax3131]

He passed about 3 months after the reunion with the car.

[@Strike_Raid]

It survived in such original condition because it's an automatic.

[@mustangboss1246]

That's how it should be. Able to run on the street to. Not a trailer queen

[@Scalihoo]

liked

[@jonathonthomas217]

ill have the worlds fastest 60 catalina coming 2025

[@kevinwoodson3735]

Ok

[@tedesco455]

Is this car in Kentucky?

[@timothytruax3131]

Yes