War Chief 5
Summary
Larry Kaufman was thinking about accomplishing two things when he decided to get back into drag racing after 20 years. “What I had in mind was not only to build a beautiful show car but also a very competitive race car,” he said. Now his Nostalgia Super Stock Inc. 1961 Pontiac Catalina named ‘War Chief’ proves his success with both appearance and performance.
Owner and Sponsors
Owned and sponsored by Larry Kaufman with special thanks to his wife, Barbara, and friend Joe Zajac. “Joe is tireless with his effort and support,” said Kaufman. “There are no words to express my thanks. Without his encouragement and his pushing and pounding, there would be no racing.”
Driver
Larry Kaufman started racing in 1960 with a 1960 Pontiac Bonneville, a two-door automatic transmission car with Tri-Power carburetion. “It was a very fast car for the weight it carried,” said Kaufman. “I used to street race a lot and it was almost unbeatable.” Within three years, Kaufman had acquired a 421 cu. in., 370 horsepower, 3.90 geared 4-speed Catalina, also with a 3-2 intake set-up, and raced that combo until 1966. “Along came marriage and there went the car,” he said.
History
After considering both objectives, Kaufman chose a 1961 Ventura, which was factory-built on May 15, 1961 as a 389 Super Duty model. Used for racing only, it featured a McKeller No. 7 mechanical lifter camshaft, 3-2 aluminum intake, 4-speed transmission and 3.90 gears. Raced throughout the Midwest from 1961 to 1966, including the first U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park in 1961, the machine was retired in 1966 and remained in storage from 1968 until 1984, when the return started.
Technical
Pontiac Indian Adventures block, Crower billet crankshaft, Childs and Albert connecting rods with Arias pistons, 504 cubic inches / Super Duty ‘980’ cylinder heads, formerly used on Arnie Beswick’s 1963 A/FX Tempest / Pontiac aluminum 2x4 intake manifold topped with Carter AFB’s / Cam Motion roller cam, Crane rockers and pushrods / Jerico 4-speed transmission / Spool and axles by Strange Engineering, 4.76 ratio / fiberglass hood and deck lid / Pro Glass lexan windows / aluminum bumpers
Performance
All-time best, 10.13 at 134 mph
Results/Achievements
Charter member, Nostalgia Super Stock Inc.