With a production total nudging 100,000 in that electrifying 1966 model year, it goes without saying that not every GTO was outfitted as a street fighter, especially if one were ordering a convertible (12,798 produced). This beautiful “Palmetto Green” convertible, brought to us by Barn Finder Mitchell G., is just such a car. Ordered with the base 389 with an automatic and air conditioning, it represents the kind of GTO that so many people bought for its image, not for its actual muscle. It’s up for sale here on eBay in Lisle, Illinois, and its asking price is $53,800 (with a “Make Offer” option).
Just because a GTO may be a mild example does not mean that it’s weak, as even the base 389, shown here, was rated at 335 horsepower and 431 lb.-ft. of torque, more than enough for any owner to put some wind through their hair in a brisk fashion. This car appears to come with Pontiac Historical Services documents showing the selection of original options, which seem to match what we see in the pictures. For example, power steering and “Custom Air Conditioning” were ordered, although the missing drive belt implies that the system needs repairs. Nevertheless, air conditioning in a convertible was still somewhat uncommon in the mid-1960s, and it’s interesting to see it under the hood here.
One thing that the GTO did better than most of its muscle car contemporaries was its interior; instrumentation was simple but effective, with four round gauges as a sporty car should have. The woodgrain dashboard was handsome, and the GTO’s bucket seats and optional console rounded out the look. The GTO’s automatic transmission was a two-speed Super Turbine 300 (although Pontiac labeled it a “two-speed torque converter automatic” in its sales materials), which was not the same as Chevy’s Powerglide. The ST300 as used in the GTO did not, however, have the “switch-pitch” torque converter that its Oldsmobile and Buick counterparts used.
Something you may have noticed about the featured GTO that doesn’t mesh with the PHS documents is the wheel selection: the Pontiac Rally I. The original steel wheels and “Custom Wheel Discs” will come in the trunk, but even though they would give the car a not terribly common, period-correct look, I think the Rally I’s look a lot better.
Unfortunately, the seller doesn’t provide much historical or mechanical information about the car, so an in-person inspection would be a very good idea. Also, the seller’s YouTube video was posted well over a year ago, so the car has been up for sale for quite some time, it seems. So what’s the right price for this gutsy cruiser?
Thanks Mitch and Aaron. I kind of gagged when reading the Ebay description. I felt like I was about to win the car on a game show. IMO the car would sell better with some actual details and information rather than the phony sales pitch. Maybe I’m just being the grouchy old man today?
Other than that, the car does look good, the colors look great, and the rallies look good as well.
The subtle and delicate muscle look as you venture down the road towards your destiny of automotive heaven!
You can spot AI-generated content a mile away. Too bad that more and more sellers are too lazy to draft their own text.
Yeah, it didn’t really give me much to go on as far as the car’s condition was concerned.
But at least we know that the GTO has “a rich history and a reputation for performance and style.” :)
Not only does the car’s description sound AI, so does the dealership description.
On one end of the scale are the Marketplace or Craigslist ads, which include verbiage which could be improved by any fourth grader; the other end of the scale, the flowery, fakey AI verbiage.
In 1966, if you were in a racing mood, you would be wise to give these a wide berth, even if the driver convinced you it was some harmless boulevard cruiser. He was just trying to get in your pocket.
What do you expect from a dealer?
Regardless, this is one beautiful car (except for the automatic).
Hey Buddy. If your going to ask North of $50 G’s for a car, could ya please fix the bloody A/C first?
Its mistakes like those that throw potential buyers off . You just have to ask what else dont work . Could be the reason it hasnt sold .
Since when did a GTO come with a leather interior?
That cracked me up , “You could at least fix the A/C before asking sky high prices” I don’t know about anyone else but it would be nice to know what kind of mileage is on this pretty little thing also.
Mark
nice poncho. nice see no Tri power but you have deal with a dealer selling it. that’s a deal breaker for me but that’s just feelings. i don’t trust vintage car dealers.
When I was 16 picked up the same car out of this guys garage needed a driver side fender and some work but not bad
. And it was a 3 spd stick which seems to be kinda rare now didn’t seem like it then . Wished it was a 4 spd. If I only knew lol. 53000 wow! Peace!!
You better check for rust on this car as it’s an Illinois car. I love the color. No power brakes? That’s a little strange.
NO power breaks? And $53k+!! That’s really odd. And the A/C needs major repairs!! Personally I’d think about half of that price would be a good place to start. Yes it’s a classic but it needs to be gone over with a fine tooth comb before getting serious about this one.
I don’t think that that was terribly uncommon in the mid-1960s, Mark. My ’65 Skylark has power steering and no power brakes as well. It really doesn’t require that much leg to stop it, and I think a lot of people felt that drum brakes with a power booster were touchy. I have a couple cars with such setups, and I actually prefer the Skylark’s brakes.
Classy!
I have to comment about the word brakes when referring to a cars brakes . And it’s not just here but pretty much anywhere when they’re describing brake work or power brakes on a car. Brakes is more times then not spelled breaks. Two completely different words. Ex. The car has new breaks. So we fixed the old breaks and it now has new breaks? And what exactly is a power break in a car? Just saying.peace!
“Breaks is more often thAn not spelled breaks.” ;-)
No, breaks is what happens when something got broken. BRAKES ARE WHAT STOP A CAR. Brake rotor, Brake drum, brake pads, brake shoes, etc. These parts need not to be broken or the brakes will be broken. A break is what you do when it is time for lunch, coffee, etc.
If you are going to change the spelling. Then you better notify the braking industry and auto manufacturers.
Break, to shatter or separate, or to pause or rest
Brake, refers to stopping or slowing.
Two completely different words and meanings.
My point, Doug F. and Wayne, was that Hammer made a point about the spelling of “brake”. But he used the word ‘then” instead of the correct “than”.
I don’t pretend to be the grammar police. I was just busting Hammer’s chops about his improper usage. Thus, the winkie I left.
Just trying to have a little fun, I hope I didn’t ruffle any feathers.
This dealer and owner have been drinking 🍸 out of the same challis way too often. Maybe even trying to set their faces on fire.
Somebody liked it enough to buy it. Gone.
Had a 67 same color combo,4 spd. power front disc.400 ci.Vinyl interior no leather don’t think that was offered Drove it to HS my senior year 1976 Uniondale NY paid $900.00 for it ,sold it one year later for $900.00 Had the best brakes .Would stop on a dime! Had to it was super fast.
Nah no worries speed thrills. Peace!