1963 Pontiac Catalina

In period, lightened versions of the NASCAR-derived Pontiac Catalina dominated drag strips. The two-door sports sedan packs a 421 H.O. V-8 mill good for 370 hp, and Catalinas from the 1963 model year are particularly beloved for their Super Duty (SD) trim.

Already crafted with lightweight parts, several examples also feature “Swiss cheese” frames, making their power-to-weight ratio even more impressive. Alas, the SD program would cease later that year due to GM’s ban from racing, but the Catalina will always be a contender in our book.