1961 Pontiac Ventura Two-Door Hardtop Super Duty 421 Recreation

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE 

By the mid-60s Southern California was engulfed in a car craze, captivating young men like Steven J. Karlock, who became enamored with the Shelby 427 Cobra. Steven's passion for high-quality cars began with a Cobra, extended to Corvettes, and grew to include many legendary marques. Together with his wife, Jackie, he restored and cherished these vehicles. They later moved to Hannibal, Missouri, where they opened Karlock's Museum of Pop Culture in a historic grain depot along the Mississippi River. The museum, showcasing top-tier motorcars and memorabilia, became a Midwest gem. Hagerty Marketplace is honored to present The Karlock’s Collection, offered entirely without reserve.  

What had been General Motors’ least popular division in 1956 was by 1961 selling the hottest cars on the planet, with chief engineer John DeLorean leading the transformation. And leading Pontiac’s performance image was their Catalina and upscale Ventura models, with the top power option the Trophy 425-A engine, a stout 389 cu-in wonder. But professional racers with connections could order the “Super Duty” option, with the limited-production speed components shipped in the trunk or delivered over the counter. Glenn “Fireball” Roberts, Mickey Thompson, Arnie “The Farmer” Beswick, and others dominated their competition with Super Duty power. Then in April 1961 Mickey Thompson received a new Super Duty, the same engine but now bored to 421 cu-in. It is believed only 12 to 14 389 Super Duty cars were built in 1961, even fewer of the 421 versions. 

When this 1961 Ventura arrived at Miller-Stephan Pontiac-Cadillac Co. in Boise, Idaho, it was powered by the 389 cu-in engine. But when acquired by The Karlock’s Collection in 2003 it received a complete nut-and-bolt restoration. It also received a period correct 1961-spec Super Duty 421 V8, with the correct and extremely rare OEM components — truly the heart of champions.  

Highlights 

• Offered from the he Karlock’s Collection  

• The recipient of a multi-year nut-and-bolt restoration 

• Rare period-correct 421 Super Duty engine including: 

  • 540306 cylinder heads 

  • 542991 aluminum intake manifold 

  • 3433S Carter AFB carburetor (front) 

  • 3435S Carter AFB carburetor (rear) 

  • 983507 McKellar #8 camshaft kit 

  • 523265 Hi-Ball valve lifters 

  • 524593/524598 Hi-Tension valve springs 

• T-10 Four-speed manual transmission with Hurst shifter 

• Kelsey-Hayes eight-lug wheels and aluminum/iron drum brakes 

• Finished in Coronado Red (L) over Red and Ivory (228) cloth interior 

• The chassis number (561K2745) decodes as: 

  • 5 – Pontiac 

  • 61 – 1961 model year 

  • K – Kansas City, Kansas, assembly plant 

  • 2745 – Plant serial number 

• The body plate for this 1961 Pontiac Ventura Two-Door Hardtop decodes as:  

  • 12B – Second week of December 1960 

  • Style 61-2537 – 1961 Ventura Sport Coupe 

  • Body BK 831 – Kansas City, Kansas, production sequence 

  • Trim 228 – Red and Ivory coated fabric 

  • Paint L-L – Coronado Red Medium 

Features 

• Options on this 1961 Pontiac Ventura Two-Door Hardtop include: 

  • 381 – CIRC-L-AIRE heater and defroster 

  • 391 – Super deluxe radio and manual antenna 

  • 402 – Windshield washer-all 

  • 412 – Dual speed wipers 

  • 414 – Foam cushions-front  

  • 431 – Heavy duty air cleaner standard on tri-power 

  • 448 – Outside remote-control mirror 

  • 452 – Inside non-glare tilt-all mirror 

  • 454 – Visor vanity mirror 

  • 478 – Back-up lights 

  • 481 – Utility luggage or under-hood lamp 

  • 482 – Glove box lamp-all 

  • 484 – Dome reading lamp 

  • 491 – Standard courtesy lamps 

  • 492 – Cigar lighter and ash tray lamp 

  • 494 – Parking brake lamp 

  • 501 – Power steering 

  • 508 – Power brakes 

  • 531 – EZI glass – all 

  • 561 – Six-way power seat 

  • 671 – Hydramatic Transmission 

• Aftermarket radio and speakers 

Known Imperfections 

• Please note that all lots in The Karlock’s Collection are offered after many years of static museum display, without operation or road use. The selling estate endeavored to advance all cars to running condition, however, as a result of the extended museum display, it is to be assumed that every lot will require additional mechanical attention before being driven safely on open roads. All cars will have immediate needs associated with long-term static display and require sorting to perform best and safely. All lots are sold as is, where is. 

• Headlights are inoperable 

• Paint chip below rear window 

• Paint chip on driver’s door 

• Small scratch on fuel door 

• Front carpet and kick panels not yet installed (included) 

Included 

• An assortment of spare parts 

• Stewart Warner auxiliary gauge cluster 

• Spare tire 

• PHS Historic Services digital report 

Ownership History 

This 1961 Pontiac Ventura Two-Door Hardtop was built on 9 December 1960 and delivered to Miller-Stephan Pontiac-Cadillac Co. in Boise, Idaho. It joined The Karlock’s Collection in 2003 and received an extensive multi-year restoration with NOS components. 

Additional Notes 

A private preview will be hosted by Hagerty Marketplace for registered bidders on Sunday August 18 and Monday the 19th.  You must call the representing Car Specialist, Ramsey Potts (912.508.4096), in advance to secure an appointment.    

Additionally, due to the cars being stored in a personal residence, following the close of the auction all lots must be retrieved while a Hagerty Marketplace representative is onsite beginning Tuesday, September 3rd through Tuesday, September 10. No cars can be retrieved prior to September 3 and any lots remaining after September 10 will be removed from the facility and placed in an adjacent lot.   

A Broad Arrow Group Consignment Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle.    

Contact: Ramsey Potts   Phone: 912.508.4096   email: rpotts@hagerty.com