A Different Kind of Muscle; The Pontiac OHC-6 Invitational

on

 *2025 MCACN Sneak Peek

1964 Pontiac Banshee Prototype XP-833 1 of 1
2025 MCACN OHC "Cammers" Invitational Participant
Owner: Lenny Napoli, Connecticut

_______________________________

Presenting the OHC-6 Pontiac Invitational; The OHCammers

At the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals, we like to not only spotlight the best of the best, but also educate. While we all know about the Pontiac Super Dutys and various Ram Air drivetrains, there is another that is truly unique. Sure...it may not be as muscular as the others, but don't for a minute think that the Overhead Cam Sixes are slouches! To quote the Pontiac Registry website, "Perhaps one of Pontiac Motor Division's most unique engine experiments, the Overhead Cam Six engine has lived on by a dedicated group who proudly call themselves “CAMMERS.” And this year, we are proud to present a very unique special display devoted to these cool cars and what they hide under their hoods.


I met Fred Simmonds years ago when I was working with the G.M. Performance Parts and G.M. Restorations road tour. To say Fred is a passionate enthusiast would be an understatement. He was (and is!) immersed in a wide variety of motorsports activities. I later found out he has a special passion for the Pontiac Overhead Cam Sixes. Pontiac produced these from 1966-1969 and they were offered in a variety of models. Certainly ahead of its time, it utilizes a belt driven overhead camshaft, unlike the common gear driven designs. In a recent feature from Hot Rod, they explained before Pontiac's belt-drive breakthrough came along, OHC engine designers ran the camshaft(s) with noisy chains or power-robbing gears. But after Pontiac developed its tough yet flexible fiberglass reinforced neoprene and nylon cam drive belt (in collaboration with the U.S. Rubber Company), the technology was quickly adopted all over the globe. By 1972, carmakers ranging from Chevrolet to Citroen, Peugeot to Porsche, and Ford to Ferrari released belt-driven SOHC and DOHC engine designs. Now that was indeed ahead of its time!

Richard Salzillo 1967 Fitch Sprint Firebird OHC-6


While the "standard" version was impressive, they also offered the Sprint-6, which is the hotter high performance version. While the base OHC-6 produced 165 horsepower and used a 1-bbl carburetor, the Sprint-6 replaced it with a Rochester Quadra-Jet 4-barrel, a hotter 0.438/0.438-inch lift overhead cam, increased compression ratio from 9.0:1 to 10.5:1 and added Ram Air style exhaust manifold castings with a high-flow single-exhaust tract. Yes indeed; a true high performance American-built six!

Fred Simmonds-Pontiac Preservation Association

Fred has coordinated a truly impressive group that chronicles the history of not only the engine, but also the diversity of the cars they came in. Of course, the one-off Banshee (as seen above)  will take center stage, but you will also see Tempests and LeMans in 2-door, 4-door and Station Wagon body styles along with several Firebirds, including yet another true rarity; a Fitch Sprint! Now if you aren't familiar with the Fitch Sprint, let me just say this car alone is worth the price of admission.

So again, by working with truly passionate enthusiasts and owners, the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals will again present something really special. Fred has "hand-picked" each of the cars and their owners to truly represent the best of the best with an incredibly diverse group. And to say these owners are passionate would be somewhat of an understatement. Be sure to plan on spending some time meeting them and learning about a chapter in Pontiac history you may have never been aware of. Special Thanks go out to Fred Simmonds and all of the owners for allowing us to present a truly unique and fun display.

____________________


The Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals is indeed a show unlike any other. We present well over 500 prime examples of American Muscle (and more!) each year, the weekend before Thanksgiving. We fill nearly 400,000 square feet of all indoor exhibit space at the beautiful Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, (SUBURBAN Chicago), Illinois, right in the center of the Rosemont Entertainment District. The area offers a wide variety of features and we have SEVEN Official Host Hotels with great MCACN exclusive special rates and extra perks, with five directly across the street and all within walking distance. Please plan on joining us November 22-23, 2025.


This week; a visit to The Brothers Collection in Oregon! 

More on that later...


Be safe, be nice and get out there and enjoy life!





 


_______________________________

Our Title Sponsor



April 3-5, 2025

________________________________________

__________________________

Later this month:


__________________________________


Please Leave a Review for MCACN on Google!

_____________________________________

  Need MCACN Wearables?

                                      

___________________________________

Official Transporter


_________________________________________________

In 2009, a group of car enthusiasts banded together to form the MCACN LLC.

Each LLC member brings in a wide variety of ideas and perspectives that allows us to produce a show unlike any other. Click Here to learn more about all the MCACN LLC Members


_______________________________


Comments

Post a Comment