No Reserve 1966 Pontic GTO Tri-Power Convertible

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It can be hard to ignore a desirable classic when an owner lists it for sale with No Reserve. When the car in question features a coveted drivetrain combination, most enthusiasts find their defenses weakening significantly. That could be the case with this 1966 Pontiac GTO Convertible. It is not a Concours example, but a tidy driver ready for some top-down cruising. With power coming from a 389 Tri-Power, that could be the icing on the cake. The GTO is listed here on eBay in New Baltimore, Michigan. The bidding has raced to $30,100, and with No Reserve in play, a new home is mere days away for this beauty.

Before we tackle the finer details of this GTO, I must address the recently-added aftermarket wheels. Such changes will appeal to some but won’t impress others. It is a matter of personal taste, but I believe they don’t suit this car’s character. If I were the winning bidder, I would probably retain them until the new tires had reached their wear limits and then replace the wheels with something more fitting. The seller indicates the Pontiac received a repaint around six years ago, and although it shines nicely, they describe it as a tidy driver rather than a Concours effort. There are no glaring faults or flaws, but I don’t believe the paint shade is original. It would mean checking the Trim Tag to confirm it, but it could be a Special Order that wasn’t on the ’66 color palette. The panels are straight, and there’s no evidence of rust. The seller admits there are older floor patches that remain solid, and the underside shots reveal no issues that would potentially cause sleepless nights. They supply this YouTube video with a walkaround, and the GTO doesn’t fail to impress. The Black power top is in excellent order, as is most of the trim, courtesy of the seller’s decision to replace it all when the repaint occurred. The glass is spotless, meaning this gem has no immediate paint or panel needs.

Lifting the Convertible’s hood reveals what raises this already desirable GTO to a higher level. We come face-to-face with a 389ci Tri-Power V8 that sends 360hp to the Posi rear end via a four-speed manual transmission. If you have a passion for powerful classics, this car delivers. The journey down the ¼ mile should take 14.4 seconds, with the Tri-Power running out of breath at 124mph. No matter how you look at it, those figures are impressive for a drop-top weighing 3,712 lbs that will comfortably seat five adults. It is unclear whether the Pontiac is numbers-matching, although it is possible. The car features rear air shocks that could prove a bonus if it ever carries a full complement of occupants and a loaded trunk. It is also in excellent mechanical health. It runs and drives perfectly, with everything working as it should. With summer beckoning, I can’t think of many better places to be than behind the wheel of this Convertible on a sunny day.

The theme of tidy presentation continues when we turn our attention to this Pontiac’s interior. It includes a few aftermarket additions like a column-mounted tach, extra gauges under the dash, a radio/cassette player, and a Hurst shifter. Otherwise, it is mainly as it would have been when it drove off the showroom floor. The Black vinyl upholstery and carpet are free from wear and issues, while the dash, pad, and console show no signs of problems. The seatcovers have a couple of stretched spots and lumps, but these are acceptable if considered a driver-grade classic.

Pontiac produced 96,946 examples of the GTO in 1966, with 12,798 buyers going the extra yard for a wind-in-the-hair motoring experience. This one isn’t perfect, but it would be ideal for an enthusiast seeking a driver-quality car needing nothing. The wheels don’t tick the box for me, but whether they stay or go will be a decision for the new owner. Whatever they decide, there’s no doubt it will receive favorable comments wherever it goes. Considering it has received thirty-one bids, I would expect the action to comfortably sail past $40,000 as the auction draws to a close, and a figure beyond $50,000 could be within reach. Would you consider pursuing it further, or will you sit back with me as an interested observer?

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. Michelle RandStaff

    Great article. I agree about the wheels and I am iffy on the color but everything else is just grand.

    Like 12
  2. Howie

    The car sits too high for me, both front and rear. I also agree about the wheels, they are not ugly, they just don’t look great on this car. Check out the sellers 6 other cars, all with No Reserve!!

    Like 11
    • Rick

      Yeah, the car looks like someone ordered it with the off-road option. :)

      Like 2
  3. Neal Jacobsen

    My first love always will be a GTO. Even my wife knows that. But she’s ok with it.
    I don’t like the color yellow on any car. To me it just doesn’t look right. I agree the wheels don’t fit together with the car. But they would look fantastic on a Monte Carlo or a Camaro (?) Maybe? What about a wood grain dash? The car looks nice but to me $30,000 is tops.

    Like 3
  4. BRAKTRCR

    Weirdo me, I like the stance, and the wheels. We are all different I think that is good. Beautiful car, guessing it goes 40k or so

    Like 6
  5. Laurence Stanford

    Dash should be wood grain and I don’t think the dash was painted body color – certainly wasn’t in mine. Wheels are OK but the stance is wrong.

    Like 7
  6. Threepedal

    You don’t see many convertible taxis.

    Like 2
  7. 370zpp 370zppMember

    Those “recently-added aftermarket wheels” would look fine elsewhere, like on a 60s VW Bug.

    Like 0
  8. 19sixty5Member

    Interesting car… the wheels are “modern” Hurst wheels, and I agree they just don’t work on this car, along with the stance. The color is the elephant in the room, and the dash, door tops, windshield posts in body color don’t help at all. It is advertised as a 389, but without the block stampings, it’s questionable considering it has 67 and up valve covers. Speaking of stampings, no shot of the body plate either, and no PHS to document anything. I am surprised at the price currently at $39k, with another day left in the auction. All in all, looks to be a fun cruiser that can be enjoyed as-is.

    Like 0
  9. MotorWinderMember

    Funny … as I get older, I criticize cars less & less unless they are truly fugly!

    I absolutely love this car, the paint, the wheels, the ride height … none of these make this car horrendously unattractive. Now had this car been completely restored to the nines, it’s price would have made it unattainable for most of us, lets face it.

    For this reason and the fact it is a drop top, I’d buy it in a heart beat … but I just bought and absolutely incredibly restored low mileage 75 GMC RV!

    Like 0
  10. RMac

    I agree with Laurence never seen a body color dash or a GTO without wood grain instrument cluster surround or a zinc yellow GTO. A buddy had a 69 that was much paler butternut yellow love the 66-67 and this drive train is awesome

    Like 0
  11. Howie

    Sold $46,600.

    Like 0
    • MotorwinderMember

      and assuming it is a true GTO, a great deal!

      Like 2

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