Few cars have made their mark on history like the Pontiac GTO. It is widely credited with spawning the muscle car era, and while the marque is little more than a distant memory, the GTO remains one of the market’s most desirable classics. This 1966 model is a wonderful vehicle with a genuine 72,929 kilometers (45,315 miles) showing on its odometer. It has led a sheltered existence and is ready to find a new home. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the Pontiac listed here on Craigslist in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It could be yours for $57,000.

The 1966 model year marked an important milestone for the GTO, with Pontiac granting it standalone model status after spending its first two years as an options package. It also brought a cosmetic refresh that emphasized the “Coke-bottle” styling that dominated the market during this period. It is also fair to state that the GTO had firmly established itself in the market, setting a new sales record of 96,946 vehicles in 1966. The first owner ordered this gem in Burgundy, a shade that adds a touch of class to this high-performance beast. The seller is sparing with information regarding its history, making it unclear whether it has received any form of panel or paint restoration. However, they do state that it has never suffered any known accident damage. The exterior shines magnificently, with no major panel or paint imperfections. Its geographic location could make it prone to potential rust problems, but the fact that it has been garage-kept throughout its life and only sees action in summer has allowed it to remain rock-solid. The trim and glass are as impressive as the rest of the exterior, and the wheels look flawless.

Marking this GTO harshly, I would emphasize the slight wear on the driver’s seat outer edge as a fault. However, for a vehicle of this vintage sporting its original seatcovers, it still looks pretty good. The seller recently replaced the door trims, carpet, and mats. Otherwise, this interior is as it left the factory. Beyond the slight seat wear, nothing deserves criticism. The dash and pad are excellent, and the faux woodgrain shows no evidence of deterioration. The seller notes that the radio is inoperative, but the remaining features work as they should.

Pontiac meant business in 1966, with this GTO’s 389ci V8 delivering 335hp and 431 ft/lbs of torque, according to that year’s Sales Brochure. The driver tackles shifting via a four-speed manual transmission, with power assistance for the steering and the brakes lightening their load. The seller indicates that the vehicle has received a four-wheel disc conversion and electronic ignition. Otherwise, it appears to be mechanically original. They don’t mention verifying evidence for their mileage claim, but the car’s overall condition makes it plausible. It has always been meticulously maintained by the same shop and is a turnkey proposition that runs and drives extremely well.

Some cars are easily ignored, blending into their background like an automotive chameleon. There is no danger that this 1966 Pontiac GTO will suffer that fate. The term “icon” is so often used to describe vehicles that are unworthy of that tag, but few will argue that the GTO deserves that accolade. It defined the muscle car era, forcing other manufacturers to develop similar models to gain their slice of the pie. This GTO looks great, its odometer reading is super-low, and its engine will provide more power than most buyers will ever need. Still, who says that you can’t have too much power? Not me, that’s for sure. Do you agree?