The survival rate for former racing machinery is typically not high, with some sacrificing their key mechanical components to later vehicles as their competition days end. This 1964 Pontiac GTO is an exception to that rule. Not only has it avoided the fate of many of its peers, but it has remained a numbers-matching classic. The first owner’s error of ordering it in a rare paint shade adds to its appeal. The seller has listed the GTO here on Craigslist in Anaheim, California. It could be yours for $74,000, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this potent Pontiac.

The name John DeLorean is famous, or infamous, in automotive history. He founded a car company bearing his name that collapsed in a mass of financial woes. However, he became well known prior to that disaster for his desire to transform Pontiac into a performance marque. The fruits of his labor included the legendary GTO, which is considered the father of the muscle car movement. Our feature car is a first-year example that received a high-end repaint following decades in storage. The seller describes the Sunfire Red paint gracing its panels as rare, stating that a lack of buyer interest prompted the company to discontinue the shade partway through the model year. Interestingly, the car wears this color due to an error by the first owner on their Order Form. They selected the wrong shade of Red from the color palette but elected to accept the vehicle when it arrived at the dealership. The presentation is all that you might expect from a car with an extraordinarily low odometer reading. The exterior holds an impressive shine, while the panels are laser straight. There is no evidence or mention of rust and, given the car’s location and history, this is unsurprising. The glass is clear, and the steel wheels with their dog dish hubcaps add a sense of menace to this classic.

Ordering a 1964 Pontiac GTO brought the company’s 389ci V8 as standard equipment. However, some buyers craved more, ticking the box beside the L71 engine option. This choice added a Tri-Power setup, boosting power from 325hp to 348hp, while torque remained at 428 ft/lbs. Many people believe that these figures were significantly understated, and that power was probably closer to 400hp. This GTO’s first owner teamed the Tri-Power with a four-speed M20 transmission and a Posi rear end, allowing this classic to storm the ¼-mile in 14.4 seconds off the showroom floor. The car’s inherent performance was crucial to the first owner because they ordered the GTO to serve as a drag car in the Stock D Class. It saw active service until the first owner hung up his helmet in 1970. It remained in storage for twenty-one years before emerging and being returned to its rightful place on our roads. Its engine bay houses the numbers-matching Tri-Power V8, and although shifting duties currently fall to a more robust M22 transmission, the original M20 is included. Life on the strip has allowed it to accrue a mere 17,848 miles on its odometer, which is far lower than you would typically expect from a GTO of this vintage. The sale includes a mountain of historic paperwork from its racing days, PHS documentation, and the original Build Sheet, Protect-O-Plate, and Owner’s Manual. Potential buyers should consider this a turnkey classic with no mechanical needs.

This GTO’s interior condition is all that you might expect from a survivor of this caliber. The original Black vinyl trim is in exceptional condition, with the seller stating that the back seat has only been used once. The dash and pad are excellent, and the carpet is amazing for its age. The first owner may have focused on outright performance when ordering this classic, but he added creature comforts like a console, AM radio, clock, and lamps in the trunk and under the hood.

The First Generation Pontiac GTO is considered the father of the muscle car era, and although values have dropped recently, good examples can still command impressive prices. The company produced 32,405 GTOs in 1964, but only 8,245 buyers went the extra yard by ordering theirs with the Tri-Power option. The fact that our feature car has survived the rigors of a racing life while remaining numbers-matching is remarkable. When you add the relatively rare paint shade and low odometer reading to the mix, I believe the seller’s price is justified. Do you agree?