Hiding in this garage is one of the most desirable classics in American automotive history. The 1966 Pontiac GTO has attained legendary status, and its performance has justified it. These were genuinely fast cars in their prime, but our featured GTO has fallen on hard times. It needs a full restoration, although some readers will feel it is beyond salvation. Still, it could be a source of excellent parts for another build, including the 421ci Tri-Power V8 hiding under its hood. The seller has listed the Pontiac here on eBay in Canton, Massachusetts. Two bids have pushed the price to $1,075, which is below the reserve.
The 1966 model year was a significant milestone in the GTO’s production life as it received standalone status in Pontiac’s product range. This GTO would have been striking in its prime, and the first owner’s decision to order it in Starlight Black added a touch of menace to its appearance. Time hasn’t treated it kindly, and I suspect it has spent long periods exposed to adverse weather. Honestly, it would be quicker to list the areas not impacted by rust, because the problems are pretty extensive. The seller admits every panel needs repair or replacement, and the floors have dissolved like a soluble aspirin. Someone has braced one front rail, and the trunk pan is also rotted. Anyone looking to drag this classic back from the brink will have no choice but to take a rotisserie approach if they want a high-end result. Many trim pieces require restoration or replacement, but I think the tinted glass might be okay.
This engine bay image reveals some of the rust repairs facing the buyer, but it also provides a brief glimpse of the upgraded V8 hiding under the hood. The car would have left the line with the standard 389ci powerplant, producing a very healthy 335hp and 431 ft/lbs of torque. The first owner teamed the 389 with a four-speed manual transmission and a Safe-T-Track rear end, cementing the car’s performance credentials. However, the original motor is a distant memory, but the V8 taking its place is no slouch. The seller quotes a “YJ” engine block code, confirming it is a 1966-vintage 421ci Tri-Power. This engine was used in the 2+2, developing a factory-claimed 356hp and 459 ft/lbs of torque. Perhaps the most surprising news, considering the GTO’s overall appearance, is that this classic runs, drives, and stops. It isn’t roadworthy, but the winning bidder can drive it onto a trailer to tow it home.
The first owner ordered this Pontiac trimmed in Black vinyl, adding the Rally gauge cluster, a tachometer, a pushbutton radio, a remote driver’s exterior mirror, a custom sports wheel, and a wide range of interior lights from that year’s options list. As with the rest of the car, time hasn’t treated the interior kindly. The upholstered surfaces are toast, the carpet is missing, the wheel has cracked, and the dash looks sad. The seller admits only a complete retrim will return the car to its factory form, but the foundations for that process are intact. This image also clearly shows this Pontiac’s floor rust.
Some classics generate significant interest when they hit the market. It can be because they are exceptionally desirable, or because the condition is outstanding. There is no doubt that the 1966 Pontiac GTO is desirable, and the Listing View and Watch List tallies of 281 and 42, respectively, are quite healthy. However, I wonder how much of that is because of the GTO’s desirability, and how much is curiosity about what someone might pay for a classic that needs a mountain of work. I will be fascinated to hear your feedback on that question.
Parts car. It looks like it was dipped in a salt water bath repeatedly. Not that it really matters, the original engine and rear end are gone, who knows about the transmission. This would have been a good looking car that was smartly optioned. You can’t save them all, most of the strongest proponents of that line of thinking always say “somebody should”, meaning someone other than them.
Steve R