Mecum Auction Presents - Lot # S117 1961 Pontiac Ventura
Arnie Beswick's 1961 "Passionate Poncho" Ventura still ranks as one of the most successful Pontiac factory-built racecars of all time. This Bristol Blue hardtop came from the factory as a 389/348 Tri-Power car with the Super Duty heads and camshaft shipped in the trunk. Once installed, the horsepower was raised to 363 horsepower, a number intentionally underrated by the factory. This is the car that Beswick drove to the '61 Daytona Winternationals and won with. Arnie went on to win a large number of Super Stock races throughout the country that season, solidifying his place as a major player in the Super Stock, A/FX and Funny Car wars of the 1960s. This car is an exceptional example of the breed, verified by Mr. Beswick himself. It is finished in the original race livery and is in its correct 1961 race configuration.
Lot # 117 1961 Pontiac Ventura Super Duty 389 Arnie Beswick Superstock
Mecum Auction Presents - Lot # S118 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge
For the 1969 season, Arnie Beswick campaigned a three-car team, the "Super Judge" Funny Car, the "Righteous Judge" Pro Stocker and this original Ram Air IV, 4-speed Judge, which was sponsored by the Chicagoland Pontiac Dealers and competed in NHRA D/Stock. One of only a handful of no-option cars built specifically for drag racing, the Judge was factory-built with a hand-selected Ram Air IV and came without sound deadener or seam sealer to further reduce weight. As a legal D/Stocker, the Judge ran in the 12.40s at 109-110 miles per hour.
Featuring period custom paint by Dick Skully, American Racing wheels and a correct Ram Air IV, this car is in its original 1969 race condition and has been authenticated by Mr. Beswick. This Judge is a great time capsule from "The Farmer's" storied career.
Hot Aug Nights Lewiston,ID
This was shot in 1999 at a car show in Idaho.
There's an interview with the owner of a '61 Pontiac Ventura Super Duty.
PONTIAC - "The Super Duty Story" Part 1 of 3
Pontiac had an SD engine program in the late 50s early 60s, and later/briefly again in 1973/74 with the SD455. This video is regarding the FIRST Super Duty program.---In only a few years time during the late 50s early 60s, Pontiac MORE THAN DOUBLED their V8's horsepower output (described in this video), while using/keeping the same V8 engine block they used thru 1955-81. Even though the same block was kept, from 1955-62 the cubic inch displacement grew much larger than the initial 287 cuber it started as in 1955. It grew to a 317 347 370 389 and finally a 421 cuber in 1962. It eventually maxed out at 455 cubes in 1970. By 1970 ALL the other GM divisions were producing engines at 454 or 455 cubes (500 for Cadillac). PONTIAC WAS THE ONLY DIVISION still using the same block they used in the 1950s on engines that had a much smaller displacement -- 287 cubes. The 1955 287 displacement would remain the smallest displacement ever used in the Pontiac V8 block all the way until 1980/81 when a 265V8 was produced. Since less durability was required for the smaller displacement, the block was decked/butchered/lightened on the 265/301v8s of 1980/81. Prior to 1980 the block had never been decked/butchered/lightened. The 1980/81 265/301v8 blocks were about 200 pounds lighter than the 1955-79 blocks, and only 25 pounds heavier than a Buick 231V6.
1961 Pontiac Ventura 2 door Bubbletop Running
This is a video of our 1961 Pontiac Ventura running. This car is in beautiful condition and is driven daily. It has 8 Lug Wheels and Drums on it that were restored by CHief8lug.com
Arnie Beswick's "Mystery Tornado" '64 GTO and longnose '66 GTO racing at Cordova Dragway 6-26-10
This match race took place during the 2010 NostalgiaFest at historic Cordova Dragway, in Cordova, Illinois and was the first of two races by the pair. The '64 car is a clone of the original "Mystery Tornado", while the '66 car is the restored original racer driven by Arnie Beswick during the 1966 and '67 seasons. Both cars ran in the 11 second range.
