1960 Pontiac Catalina Drag Car - The Road Runner

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A Pontiac Road Runner? That’s the question everybody asks! Yes, that's the iconic Pontiac I acquired in April of 2019 on the auction website, Bring-a-Trailer (BAT). I purchased it from collector Billo317, a gentleman from Indiana. When I placed the winning bid, my wife saw my wide-eyed disbelief! Oh no, I just won a car! A 1960 Pontiac Catalina drag car known as the Road Runner (which predates the MoPars that bear the same name).  

A few days later, I found myself in Indianapolis with my truck, and yes, I did “Bring a Trailer”! With the assistance of Billo317’s mechanic and secretary, I finalized the transaction and loaded the Pontiac Road Runner onto my trailer. I headed south to my home in Louisville, KY, elated as I received thumbs up from several drivers passing by. After some determination and effort with the DMV, I managed to get it titled in my name, officially making me the second owner. (Billo317 uses a dealer license to keep everything above board with taxes these days!)  

The next day, my 86-year-old father, who had owned numerous Pontiacs in the 60s and 70s, paid me a visit. We eagerly examined the car, inspecting the many 1960s drag race modifications. Two key discoveries included the engine, which had been outfitted by the original owner, John Eleazer, with factory Pontiac 421 Super Duty heads and a Pontiac Super Duty dual quad (2x4) aluminum intake alongside various period race components and modifications.  

I intended to make it a driver for local “cars and coffee” events since it ran, steered, and stopped, but after a short drive down the driveway and a brief stint on the street, I found the 4-speed Hydramatic wouldn’t shift out of second gear. This left me disappointed, knowing I would have to trailer it to show it off to others. I brought it to a local cruise where my friends and fellow car enthusiasts admired it!  

Later that summer, while still seeking insights on the Hydramatic issue, I was thrilled to connect with the original Pontiac Road Runner owner, 86-year-old John Eleazer. We hit it off over the phone! He shared many captivating stories and even sent me several pictures, along with his personal vintage race jacket that featured his name and the car's name embroidered on it.  

In August, I took the Pontiac Road Runner alongside my Pontiac Trans Am to the NSRA Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, where it garnered admiration from many attendees.  

By fall, still eager to learn more about the car, I reached out to Tim Dye at the Pontiac Oakland Club (POCI) Museum in Pontiac, IL. Tim was fascinated by my Pontiac Catalina drag car and its history. He invited me to display it at a museum fundraiser car show, so my wife and I made the trip and trailered it to the event. It turned out to be a huge success!  

I entrusted the Pontiac Road Runner to Tim and the museum staff. While featured in the Pontiac museum, it was photographed and included in the POCI Smoke Signals Magazine.  

After about a two-year stint, I returned to pick up the Catalina Drag Car and drop off my cousin’s all-original 1960 Pontiac Catalina. Coincidentally, this car closely resembled John’s pull car that he used to tow the Road Runner to the track and sometimes for spares during races!  

Once I got the Road Runner back to my shop, my father and I decided to retune the engine. With new plugs, rockers adjusted, and some expert carb tuning by my dad Bud—a former professional mechanic with a magical touch—the car started running at its best! My new friend John Eleazer had mentioned that the transmission was built for racing by his brother Ralph and wouldn’t shift unless at full RPMs. Trusting his word, I took the car for a spin down the driveway and onto the road. I came to a stop, floored it, and held on tight! The car surged ahead, shifting 1, 2, 3, until I ran out of road! (It’s a winding road!) Incredible! But still, no shift to fourth! This would lead to the Road Runner’s next thrilling adventure.  

On a perfect summer evening, my son Ian and I loaded the car onto the trailer and took it to a nearby 1/8th mile drag strip for test and tune night. Nervously, I unloaded the Pontiac Road Runner, went through tech inspection, and entered the lane. Let me say, I had only been to a drag strip once in my life, and I was anxious about potentially breaking the car. The ancient drag slicks and bias ply front tires of unknown age added to my uncertainty as I edged closer to the starting line. As expected, I redlit; however, the old Pontiac Road Runner soared down the track! It shifted beautifully through 1, 2, and 3! I was still holding down the pedal for 4th (more on that later), and since the revs were high, I opted to lift before reaching the finish! My time wasn’t remarkable, but both the car and I prevailed—better than any trophy!  

As we were loading the car back onto the trailer, a semi-professional racer came over to check it out. After learning a bit about its history and noting the many winner stickers, he remarked, “This guy (John) was practically a pro to have racked up this many wins and set a National record!” (1971).  

Around the same time, I was in contact with Tim Dye and the leaders of the POCI 2021 International Convention. We determined that I would reunite the original owner, John Eleazer, with the Pontiac Road Runner at the convention in Connecticut, conveniently located near John’s home in NJ. It was an unforgettable time! The Pontiac Road Runner was one of the featured cars alongside the Monkeemobile, the Red Baron, and the Pontiac Banshee.  

I spent a great deal of time with John over the next four days, and people treated him like a rock star! Many recalled him and the car from his extensive campaigning over the years. While we chatted, I shared my drag strip experience and mentioned the elusive fourth gear shift. He simply smiled and said, “Tim, it won’t shift into fourth on the 1/8th mile. It only hits 4th when you’re doing the 1/4 mile.” I believe him. Everything else he told me has turned out to be true. (A side note: this was John’s last hurrah. He sadly passed away about three months later. It was an honor to spend time with him and the Pontiac Road Runner. He will be greatly missed.)  

I never imagined that winning this car would lead to so many friendships and remarkable adventures!  

Tim Truax