Kicking asphalt was the sole domain of Chevy, Ford and Mopar until ‘64 when Pontiac finally joined the party with the GTO.
*********
A 409 Chevy , FE powered Galaxy or a 413/426 max wedge Mopar (1964 was pre 426 Hemi) would have a hard time with a 421 SD Catalina... ,, The GTO was great as it brought the horsepower race to a smaller lighter platform than the full size “stockers”. Pontiacs V8’s were basically every bit as efficient as a SBC but with BB cubes... Deadly. Many of the best parts of the SBC were copied directly from the slightly earlier modern Pontiac V8.
I think most all of the GM brands probably traded tech and basic design qualities (except maybe Buick's nail head). They didn't really have the internal competition as they did with rival corporations.
It was interesting how the trends went in the early 60s. Ford was competing with Chevy in the speed game, but Mercury was not really in it like Buick was not. But then when the Falcons got popular with the 260 and 289 4spd, out came the smokin' Comet Cyclones.
Plymouth and Dodge had those rippin' full size cars, but didn't try putting anything spirited in the smaller Valiants and such.
Ford was in the game with mustangs but never really got toe to toe with Corvettes and just as they were starting to make a nitche for themselves with the healthier Mustangs...BAM! Here came the Camaros with the big blocks.
Those were very good times to have lived in.
A good friend of mine had a ‘62 Catalina bubble top with those 8 lug aluminum wheels. It was SUEEE-WEEET.