Rare Race-Ready Pontiacs Headline the Bobby Knudsen Collection at Mecum Indy 2025

1961 Pontiac Ventura Royal Super Duty Photo: Mecum Auctions

For fans of Pontiac performance and serious collectors of drag racing history, Mecum’s 2025 Spring Classic in Indianapolis is shaping up to be a landmark event. One of the standout features of this year’s auction is the Bobby Knudsen Collection, an expertly curated group of rare, race-bred Pontiacs that reads like a greatest hits album from the golden era of factory performance.

1963 Pontiac Catalina Super Duty Swiss Cheese Photo: Mecum Auctions

At the heart of the collection are eight Pontiac Catalinas, including two of the ultra-rare 1963 “Swiss Cheese” factory lightweight models—vehicles that are legendary in drag racing circles for their stripped-down, performance-first construction. Built by Pontiac to dominate NHRA competition, these cars are among the most sought-after factory hot rods ever created.

The collection doesn’t stop there. Among the heavy hitters is a 1962 Catalina Super Duty, equipped with a dual-quad 421 cubic inch V-8 and a 4-speed manual transmission. With an estimated auction value between $160,000 and $180,000, this Catalina is a textbook example of Pontiac’s no-nonsense, go-fast engineering from the early 1960s.

Also crossing the block is a 1961 Pontiac Ventura Royal Super Duty, a car with real track pedigree. Campaigned by none other than Jim Wangers—the father of Pontiac performance marketing—this Ventura earned its stripes with NHRA Top Stock Eliminator wins, making it a significant piece of muscle car and motorsports history.

1959 Pontiac Bonneville Safari Sport Wagon Photo: Mecum Auctions

Adding variety and vintage style to the lineup is a 1959 Pontiac Bonneville Safari Sport Wagon, one of just 4,673 units produced that year. Under the hood sits a Tri-Power 389 CI V-8, paired with power brakes, power steering, and plenty of mid-century American charm.

Each car in the Bobby Knudsen Collection tells its own story. Whether built to light up the dragstrip or turn heads at a concours event, these Pontiacs reflect a deep commitment to preserving high-performance American automotive heritage. Best of all, every vehicle will be offered at no reserve during Mecum’s Spring Classic, May 13–18, 2025.

This is more than an auction—it’s a rare opportunity to own a slice of racing history from one of the most respected collections in the country.

For more information and to view the full lineup, visit the official Mecum Auctions page for the Bobby Knudsen Collection.

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