The Pontiac GTO was a surprising hit in 1964 – and its popularity did nothing but grow over the next couple of years. It spawned many competitors both inside General Motors and the rest of Detroit. More than 75,000 copies alone were sold in 1965, including the seller’s Teal Turquoise example which looks like a solid, restorable vehicle that comes with Pontiac Historical Services (PHS) documentation. Located now with a dealer in Allen, Texas, this California survivor is available here on eBay. $25,900 is the top bid so far – below the seller’s reserve.
John DeLorean and his crew crafted the 1964 after the Tempest/LeMans product line which had been upgraded from compact to mid-size that year. But changes for 1965 weren’t minimal, with stacked headlights arriving for the next three years, and the taillights being reworked. Two-thirds of production came with the 389 cubic inch V8 with a single 4-barrel carburetor, while the other third had the beefy Tri-Power set-up. This car has the former with 335 hp from the factory, paired with a 4-speed manual transmission.
This automobile is said to be numbers-matching and is a running car in project status. The GOAT wears its original exterior color, though the repaint is older, faded and is likely past being saved. The interior is also original, but the passage of time, use, and Sunlight have taken their toll. No rust is said to be found on this car, which spent most of its life on the Left Coast (it was built in Fremont, CA per the VIN).
From what we can tell (and the seller’s confirmation) this vehicle is complete and ready for a professional makeover. Cool options include the tachometer, bucket seats, console, and the Safe-T-Track rear end. But since it runs and the seller makes no mention of any mechanical repairs needed right away, perhaps you could drive the car as-is for a while before taking the big plunge of a restoration,
Kind of sad I think this way, but that 1st picture reminds me of the early 70s, when every GTO and Chevelle adorned a spot at the local gas station with a sign, “For Sale $500”. While not the car Ronnie and the Daytonas sang about( a ’64), I believe this was the car The Beach Boys and Jan and Dean sang about. Not sure about prices anymore, but one thing is for sure, any car immortalized in song, will be popular long after the songs have faded from view. Nothing is more iconic than a Pontiac GTO.
Probably a little nit-picky, but while Jan and Dean recorded a song about the GTO, the Beachboys did not. Concerning the car advertised, I have always thought that the ’65 was the best looking of all the GTOs. Even though this one doesn’t have a ton of options, it just about exactly as I would have ordered one in 1965. It’s a little rough but, I don’t think that the asking price is too far out of line. If I bought it, I would spruce up the cosmetics some and have a cool weekend driver.
The Beach Boys did a cover of Ronny & The Daytonas “GTO” on their “Salute NASCAR” album which was released in February 1998. In my humble opinion, the Beach Boys’ version is BETTER than the original :)
Nice car, it’s little wonder why the bidding is strong. There is a lot of interest in this car, it will be interesting to see how high the bidding goes.
Steve R
This is listed on the dealers website for $28,500, it will funny if bidding surpasses that amount when you consider that it takes less than a minute to find that information.
Steve R
It’s listed as an auction now. Probably saw your comment and fixed that up real quick! LOL!!!
That is a nicely equipped ’65 Goat. The 1965 GTO with its double stacked headlights and unique taillight design has always been my favorite due in part to the red ’65 in the movie “The Hollywood Knights.”
For a few people that fall into the same camp as I do, I would call this one a drooler. This looks like a fantastic original. If it’s as good in person as it appears in the pictures, I would pay the asking price in a heartbeat. Great option load, super straight, usable chrome, No rust and A virgin drivetrain (?!) Wow!
Honestly, restored cars are a pain in the ass, this car looks squarely in my Favorite category: Take a summer of lovin’ labor and 5 to 10k $$ For some mild cosmetics and make it mechanically perfect. Fairweather Drive anywhere car, one to truly enjoy. Who cares about a rock chip or two no freaking out over the rain storm. This is One to get excited about, Pontiac finest hour with one of the best models in the lineup. thanks for posting…….
Very cool car and I love this era body the best. Also interesting to me the left side ignition like a 911. Never owned one or noticed that before
Damn, that looks like a solid opportunity if you could get it for the asking price at the dealership. I’d even keep the turquoise interior and do a repaint in a shade of white.
Lovely looking car. My favourite years for the GTO has always been the 1963-65 models. Where did the nickname “Goat” come from?
There was no GTO in 63, the first one was in 64. It was just a glorified Tempest.
What’s your point? It is a 1965.
I had one back in 69 same color, but black int.no console. Mine had a different air cleaner . First it was only about an inch or more tall anr it was chrome along with the valve convers.
The left-handed ignition, which is interesting. I never knew that GM did that. I know the old Fords used to do that wonder why GM decided to do that.
There’s a lot to like here, but it does have some needs. I could live with the paint but I’d want to restore the interior and then drive it. At $26k it’s a fair price, but it’ll probably go for more. GLWTS.
@Russ Dickson
I believe PHS stands for Pontiac Historical Society. I’m sure a or some Pontiac historians will confirm or correct me here. I was at a custom rod shop yesterday and watching one of the guys painstakingly cobble patching a 1955 Chevy. In my mind I couldn’t justify nor convince myself why the owner would WASTE his money. When i asked the builder how long did he think the repairs to last, he said long enough to cash the guys check and spend it. OOOOKAAAYYY!!! Money doesn’t care who has it or who gets it.
When I was about 11 or 12 my older brother had one like this. Loud and fast was the part I understood best. Nice GTO with good patina. Repair the seat, dash and mechanicals and drive.
Authentic and unmolested ’65s don’t come along all that often … nice opportunity for someone to acquire the real deal!
My neighbor had one the exact color, Thanksgiving 1972 in NY, he decided to install a built 400 in it, outside with nothing but a borrowed Con Ed plastic shield, I was 12 years old and stood out all night, till my mother said to put it in our garage to finish it, 7am open headers it started, I got to ride shotgun for the first blast, few months he blew the 400 up, and a 396 that got borrowed from a 69 El Camino went in its place, I wonder where that car went after he sold it
The 64 was my favorite by far. The 65-67s were fine, and I lost interest from the 68 forward. Beyond the hype, the GTO became one of the lamest musclecars after the first couple of years. Even for 1965, I liked the Buick 401 much better.
3dueces:.Ok, you’re technically right, that is if you can call Mike Love and Bruce Johnston the ‘Beach Boys”.
How healthy would you expect that 389 to be after 59 yrs?
Says it comes with PHS documentation…is that the equivalent of a Jerry MacNeish certification in the Chevy world?
Very cool GOAT
Sold for a high bid on 12/10/2024 for a high bid of $28,800 which is higher than the dealer priced it on their website. Sellers need to be smart and do their research, the eBay user name so the same as their dealership, it took less than a minute to find using Google, a potential buyer probably could have talked the dealer into coming off their price.
Steve R