[Alvin]

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The 1961 Pontiac Trophy "A" Engine Detailed

1961-03_HR_Pontiac_V81-11.PDF

The hot setup for 1961 was the 389 Pontiac Trophy "A" series engines which were quite different from the standard issue 389s (all of which were called "Trophy V8s" by Pontiac, whether they were 215 HP or 348. But Pontiac was serious about their race engines, and had developed a host of go fast parts, most of which were sold across the counter.
This article details what was found in the standard engines, the "A" series engines (333 and 348 HP) and the over the counter offerings. Most significant in the article is the discussion of the differences in the engines, and the listings of the original parts numbers - straight from the horse's mouth at Pontiac. Remember that the special "dealer option" A series engine, with the best of these goodies developed 368 under-rated HP. There were actually two versions; drag and NASCAR type but both ran McKeller mechanical camshafts, and according to Pontiac policy of the day, had to be purchased across the counter, as Pontiac would not put a mechanical cam in production engines.
What really strikes home is that Pontiac was very serious about their performance products and may have offered a larger selection of go fast goodies than any other US manufacturer for that year. Of course, well after this issue was published, Pontiac upped the ante with an over the counter 421 "A" engine, in response to Chevy's 409.
Take a step back in time and peruse this article for Pontiac's vision and of course, a neat listing of the special parts numbers that any Tin Indian hot shoe could stuff in their V8.