If the hands of time could be turned backward, I’m certain the owner of this 1966 Pontiac GTO would reset the clock a couple of minutes before the unthinkable happened, and be at just about any other location other than wherever this poor Poncho was sitting when it got rear-ended. My first concern is hoping the driver is OK, as this appears to be a rather high-impact crash, followed by wondering about the goat’s future, given its present state. Whether you’re pondering parts or a possible repair, this 1966 Pontiac GTO is currently in Urbana, Illinois, and can be seen here on eBay. So far, the high bid is resting at $2,125, but it can also be bought right now for $9,500.
Looking at the bright side, it’s a plus that this one’s a true GTO and not a clone, as evidenced by the 42 in the VIN. It’s also not a bad thing to reflect on what a fine muscle car example this was before it got destroyed from behind. However, with a hit this hard, I’d examine every component carefully before deciding what might be usable, whether they’re being considered for parts or getting this one back on the road. One of my biggest telltale concerns regarding stress here is the hood, since the force was substantial enough to cause the section closest to the windshield to rise. Still, if you’re blessed with the talent and have extensive sheet metal repair experience, perhaps this one’s not too far gone to take on as a project.
The only details provided about the engine are that it’s a 389 with the tri-power setup, and that it was running before the accident. There’s no word on whether or not that’s still the born with block, or if the three 2-barrels are factory or were added later, as the majority of these cars came with a single 4-barrel. Although the belt is missing, it’s good to see the A/C equipment still intact, but several mechanical unknowns will be in store for the buyer. No information at all is provided about the transmission, other than the seller posting that it’s an automatic.
As a whole, much of the interior still seems fairly decent, and there’s just enough wear in the driver’s sections that it doesn’t necessarily look like all of the inside has been restored, at least not recently. However, with the crumpled area extending along the entire left quarter and into the roof, I’m guessing some of the components in here took a beating, with the headliner among them. It’s sad when accidents happen, especially when they involve a classic like this 1966 Pontiac GTO, but hopefully this one can either be straightened out or provide some needed parts that will help another one live. Are you seeing much hope that this one can be saved?
Jeez Louise, I think we should have a contest to see what people think caused this kind of damage. I mean, this is no econobox, it’s a full on frame car and clearly toast. I’m surprised the gas tank didn’t let go. It’s not from a multi car pileup, like a semi running into the back, it would have front damage. I’ve seen a lot of wrecked cars, but this is extreme. Snow plow? Dropped off a cliff? Shame, it was a nice car. Make a nice parts car.
I’ve seen a few of these scenarios in my 6+ decades of life (not involving beautiful classics like this one but nonetheless similar scenarios) and this could conceivably be the result of an innocent bystander in the way of a drug lord being chased by the law where the law and (hopefully) the driver of this beauty won.
demo derby car????
Already demolished!
What a shame. Firstly I hope the occupants are ok. The window frames and roof are bent. Honestly this is a parts car at best at this point. ’66 is my favorite year Goat too. I agree with Howard I saw that gas tank and thank goodness it held and didn’t go up. This thing took some hit from the rear. No headrests on a ’66 and it kind of seems the drivers seatback is leaning back a bit. Very sad ending to a really nice ’66.
Headrests were an option in 66, not many people checked that box. Ames sells pretty good reproductions of them. I put them on my 66 convertible, they add to the appearance too
Shame. I just hope the owner had it insured for what it was worth.
There’s no belt on the AC compressor, I’m out.
In today’s world there are cars “restored” from nothing but a VIN plate, so “Can It Be Fixed?” Of course it can. It just requires a new owner with more money than common sense, which there seems to be no shortage of.
you’re not fixing this nor would i want to. future parts and a vin doner. bad juju here. lucky nobody was really hurt. that’s a real hard hit
Buy it cheap, part it out and call it a day.
I agree BIG ouch here!
That looks like a mean case of whiplash! Especially with no headrests.
Any questions on what this car was when it left the factory can be determined by purchasing the PHS Documents. In addition to that this car will ALWAYS have a branded Title as a complete write off, leaving any real value or resale value as a loss no matter how much money somebody decided to throw at it.
Too many variables to bother with a restoration, which in todays world would be more than buying a really nice 66 with no headaches involved.
Take any parts of that you can and call it a day,there’s no saving this one. I do hope that no one got hurt.
The perfect car for a donor to a GTO Wagon concept. Front clip and interior parts mated to a wagon could make a truly awesome ride.
In 1964+ the junk yards northwest of Detroit near the more prosperous suburbs had enough GTOs and 421 Catalinas wrecked in single car accidents where the driver lost control, that you could build a clone from a LeMans pretty cheaply over a weekend.
its what happens when grandpa blocks grandmas car in the driveway and she backs down the driveway to get car unblocked and sticks the throttle and is stopped by the neighbors concrete truck in their driveway. FYI: Those 30% off Kohls shopping discounts means everything with immediate attention given…… :-)
What a shame to happen to a beautiful car..
Ouch… I got whiplash just looking at that hit…
My first thought went to the shady world of swapping VIN tags and that this poor thing would “live again” in the body of a Tempest.
But.. Assuming the owner took some sort of insurance settlement on this, wouldn’t the “totaled” status follow the VIN?
Yes.
242176P303570. The VIN number shown in the eBay listing will now be linked to this thread.
Try Googling the VIN and see what you find, it shows up on an AI overview with active links to the eBay listing.
Steve R
It was a Beauty! I think the best use is parts. It will never be able to track straight on the road. There is so much unseen damage. Except for most of the front clip everything has some degree of damage. even the cabin is pushed forward. SAD!
One can hope the car was parked when hit. Unfortunately it is just a parts car now.
I don’t think the damage is that surprising. (Force=Mass x Velocity). A modern SUV is a pig. SUVs these days are 5000-6000 pounds. The Pontiac is maybe 3500lbs? Despite being of frame on construction, these old muscle cars crumple like tin cans. They were built to look good and go fast in a straight line, safety was never on the check list.
Finally! A Goat that I can afford. But seriously, I sure hope nobody was badly hurt when this accident occurred. What a shame that this nice looking Pontiac had to end up like this.
ouch!
The factory produced nearly 100,000 GTO’s in 1966. By contrast, the highest production year for Olds 442 was 36,646 in 1968. I wouldn’t cry over a totalled Goat. There are many others out there on the road, or that can be made road worthy.
The factory produced nearly 100,000 GTO’s in 1966. By contrast, the highest production year for Olds 442 was 36,646 in 1968. I wouldn’t cry over a totalled Goat. There are many others out there on the road, or that can be made road worthy. Salvage the parts and bring another Goat to life.
The factory produced nearly 100,000 GTO’s in 1966. By contrast, the highest production year for Olds 442 was 36,646 in 1968. I wouldn’t cry over a totalled Goat. There are many others out there on the road, or that can be made road worthy. Salvage the parts so another Goat may live.
Ad should read “ 66 GTO in need of rear bumper and some body work. Engine runs great -very fast, transmission only has reverse. No test drives!”!
This one is way past doing anything with. Have done a couple of front cuts and replacements on cars smaller than this one. If I can find the picture we replaced the front half after the driver tried to move a concrete Jersey barrier.
That was a hard, hard, hit. When you see things moved around under the hood from a hit in the rear, you know it was a doozy.
24 photos, but only 1 showing the most important detail of this car.
There is no bent steering wheel, no blood, no noggin shaped lump in the windshield. I think this was sitting on the street and go rear ended by a woman on her cellphone, or something like that
SOLD for $9400.
48 bids.