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 and 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
Lol. Yup. I’m usually one of the guys saying, won’t be for the faint of heart…but it’s doable…
Easy to say when it’s not me doing the work or spending the money. Though there’s no debate here…this 66 is toast.
I agree Steve R. I just wonder how bad the rust was when they changed the engine. In the engine bay picture, it looks like there’s a new radiator, hose and alternator. In my opinion, it doesn’t make sense to install those parts with the rust that bad, even if you’re just trying to turn the engine over. Now you’ve got get a donor car, and reinstall the engine in it and hopefully it doesn’t need to be rebuilt. Because this GTO is Swiss toast.
Steve and John, I agree with both of you. In an ideal world, we could restore every classic, but the world we live in is anything but ideal. I believe this GTO is beyond salvation, but I am willing to bet that some will see it as a viable project. They deserve our respect if they can bring it back, but I suspect this GTO is a donor for other projects. Thank you for your feedback, and I hope you continue to enjoy our articles.
I could see someone adding those parts if they thought they were necessary to get the engine running. I work in automotive for a couple of decades and did tech at the local track, never underestimate the lack of forethought put into some project cars.
Steve R
Seems like the seller performed a shotgun wedding to try to cash in on a vin tag car… Motor and tranny can be pulled out in hours if the vin tag doesn’t sell…
Throw it back!
I have alot of parts for that car but I don’t think u can save that one, anyone need part holler, just finished restoring mine
If there are any good parts salvage them and scrap the rest.
A few years ago there was another site I used to look at called cars in yards I think it was. They had a picture of a 68 Acaidian. I know it was a gm product of some sort because it had a 427 in it. It was sitting by a silo and the writer said it must have delivered sack lunches in a salt mine it was rusted so badly, this car reminds me of that car
Save that 421 & drive train & other good parts … scrap the car…as i have a 65 Bonneville that would love the 421…
My first thought is who straps a car down like that? After reading the listing and and looking at the photos, it might have been the only way to keep it from flying apart going down the road.
Runs and stops? Does all of it stop at the same time?
Had a good chuckle reading that! My thoughts were the same
somebody might redo it but you’re basically buying a title and parts. would have nice to see some better pics of the motor and the codes on it. the tin worm has had a field day with this. real shame it was left to get like this.
Just need a couple license plates for patches and it’s good to go.
Well maybe three plates.
That motor, intake and carbs are worth a pretty penny.
This is a back east car for sure. I can tell stories about rusted cars from Illinois. My dad leaving in the morning for work, driving into to Chicago and back home at 6:30pm. He left in a new green ’66 Impala and returned in a white one. The salt so heavy he needed to wait until the temp outside came up to wash it. This one is gone and if the motor has been there awhile all the bolts on it will have sunk from rust…been there.
The PHS docs say factory 4 speed, but no code 2L (or 2Q) for a four speed on the trim tag. Why is that ? . . .
I believe this car is in Maine.
I have to agree with the fact that this car is only good for the few parts it can donate. However, although illegal, some people would buy this for the GTO V.I.N palate to put on a Le Mans. I cringe every time I see someone hauling a car on a trailer with tiedown straps across the hood, roof, or trunk. Absolutely no reason for that … On second thought, on this car, could be the frame is so rusty they didn’t trust any attachment points.