It is easy to become complacent and lose sight of life’s opportunities. Writing for Barn Finds means that rarely happens to me, and cars like this 1964 Pontiac GTO help me appreciate how privileged I am to do what I do. We see plenty of GTOs cross our desks, but I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for referring one that rewrites the rule book. It presents superbly, which is hardly surprising considering it has spent its life as a museum piece. With a genuine 1,434 miles showing on its odometer, this is as close as you will come to buying a brand new fifty-nine-year-old GTO. It is located in Southern Nevada, with the seller listing it here on Craigslist. It is a car in a league of its own, and its history should justify the seller’s price of $100,000.
When I first saw this GTO, I struggled to know where to start. However, as someone once said in a movie, starting at the very beginning is a very good place to start. Pontiac offered the GTO as an options pack on the LeMans in 1964 and 1965 before granting it standalone model status in 1966. This car would have been an early example because it entered the K&G Speed Associates display in April 1964. It remained there until 2000 when it was removed and revived. Its condition is all you would expect from any classic that spent decades in climate-controlled storage. Its Silvermist Gray paint shines beautifully, with none of the patchiness or matte areas that can plague this shade. The Black vinyl top offers a striking contrast, and like the rest of the vehicle, it appears factory fresh. The panels are laser straight with tight and consistent gaps. The seller supplies some underside shots, and apart from the occasional spot of dry surface corrosion, the floors and frame are perfect. The glass and trim are as faultless as the rest of the exterior, with the redline tires adding the perfect finishing touch.
To the best of our knowledge, time travel is impossible. However, climbing aboard this GTO offers a viable alternative. It is in as-new condition, and if there were such a thing as a Pontiac showroom today, it would look right at home on its floor. The Black vinyl upholstery is perfect, with the same true of the carpet, dash, pad, and headliner. Considering the car’s history and odometer reading, I wouldn’t expect anything different. It isn’t loaded with options, with the factory radio offering an alternative if the new owner tires of the tune emanating under the hood. When we see what is under there, it is safe to say that it is unlikely to happen!
Every 1964 emerged from the factory with a 389ci V8 occupying its engine bay, although some could be considered more equal than others. That is the case with this car because its original owner went for the best by specifying the Tri-Power version. That gave them 348hp under their right foot, which feeds to the road via a four-speed manual transmission. Many consider the ’64 GTO as the father of the American muscle car. This Pontiac’s ability to scorch the ¼-mile in 14.4 seconds on its way to 134 mph represents sound evidence supporting the claim. After decades in storage, great care was taken to return this classic to a roadworthy state. The task wasn’t entrusted to just anyone. All work was completed by the specialists at Tri-Power Auto in Libertyville, Illinois. It now runs and drives perfectly, although, with a genuine and verified 1,434 miles showing on its odometer, nobody has tried wearing it out! In addition to the PHS documentation verifying the seller’s claims about its originality and mileage, they include the Window Sticker and other original paperwork. That can only add further to this classic’s potential value.
Fate decreed that this 1964 Pontiac GTO spent fifty-six years as a museum piece. This was not the role envisaged by its creators, but it has allowed the car to remain perfectly preserved. Although it is no certainty, it probably carries the lowest odometer reading of any ’64 GTO in existence. That leaves the buyer with decisions to make. Pontiac produced this car to be driven and enjoyed, not to spend decades in storage. My heart says it needs to return to its rightful place on our roads, but my head says that is unlikely. Part of its inherent value rests in its odometer reading, meaning every additional mile could negatively impact its value. Therefore, I suspect it will find its way back on display or trailered from show to show. Would you do that, or would a blast on the wide-open road with that Tri-Power V8 singing its soul-stirring tune prove irresistible?
Well all depends on someone’s financial situation. If some had just 100k to invest than there is certainly better opportunity’s than a classic muscle car. If you could easily afford this car, then I’m going, not showing…..I would certainly pick the days I drove it and not be overly aggressive with the drivetrain, but it wouldn’t be sitting on a trailer. if you put 500 miles a year on it, in ten years the value wouldn’t be any less if it had 1434 miles or 6434 miles on it. And for someone like me who grew up at the beginning of the muscle car era, the joy I would get from the nostalgia aspect and cruising this car around would be worth every added mile to me.
Its a dream come true. A lo option model, with the hi-po motor and 4 on the floor shift. 🙌🇺🇲🏁
It is what I would have ordered if I had a choice today. When this was new I was 12 and it would have been bla. I wonder if Jay Leno has seen it.
I would think this would do better at a big name auction, where the drinks are flowing strong.
This GTO begs for Barrett–Jackson fall show! The bids would go crazy over this goat! I’d START bids at maybe $90K, and watch it skyrocket!
Did no one look at the photos of the underside of this car? Those photos tell a different story about the mileage of this car.
yah I looked…..looks like the underside of a car that was on the road for a short time then put into storage
Agreed.
I’m thinking dry ice detail…
Craigslist!? As John McEnroe might say “You cannot be serious!”
If this car is what they claim, the seller would first have articles done on it in the relevant periodicals, then show it at the POCI Nationals in Murfreesboro, TN and the GTOAA Nationals in Springfield, IL(both in late June) and then auction it at Mecum or maybe Barrett-Jackson.
Craigslist is probably their first attempt at selling this car. If they can get what they want, then they don’t have to worry about any fees other then the $5 it takes to place a car ad.
If it doesn’t work, then move on to an auction.
But I do agree with you, seller will have to prove pedigree to any potential buyer.
I’m definitely curious about the Craigslist listing. If “they know what they’ve got”, you’re not on CL.
But if it is legit, I’m wondering what happened to the car. How did it survive?
What John L said. My 72,000 mile 70 GTO looks better than that and never restored.
yah, I guess your right….I’m gona go with what joe blow on the internet thinks and not with K&G Speed Museum, Pontiac Historical Society documentation, and all the owners related paperwork……
Putting the “is it legit?” comments aside, this car checks a lot of boxes for me personally.
Are those the original “Tiger Paws”?
When I was in high school I owned a 1960 Bonnieville ragtop with full compliments of extras to include the 389 with three deuces with progressive linkage. My question on this engine shot is that I can’t see a linkage going to the front carb. Is it missing, on the other side or am I loosing my vision? I know some of my friends with the tree carb set up would disconnect the links going from the center carb to the outer carbs to economize. As for me, I enjoyed the sound and power delivered by those two carbs kicking in. I think high test was running around $.34/9 back then. I loved that boat, but sold it prior to entering the USAF. Those were the days. I feel really bad for my kids and grandkids trading all that they could have had in place of that iPhone in their back pocket
The Tri-Power linkage is correct on the drivers side. As you open up the center carb, the linkage pulls back on the link to the rear carb. The front carb is operated by essentially a relay rod on the passenger side that is connected to the back carb. That secondary rod on the passenger side is not the correct part, it is an aftermarket substitute for the OEM part.
The steering wheel and horn button do not look right. My 100% original ’64 GTO and the ’64 GTO I owned in 1970 had an oblong steering wheel and a flat center button. Not what is shown.
You’re correct, the steering wheel looks like that from a 1965 GTO. (’64s had a squared off horn ring)
Maybe a late production substitute? That would be cool if it can be documented that it came with a ’65 steering wheel.
In the northwest Detroit suburb where I grew up, a few high school students had 64 GTOs. The ones that bought the post sedan version rather than the hardtop were glad they did because the body flex was less. These frameless glass hardtops would whistle on the highways (wind noise). A Saturday afternoon spent carefully aligning them, trying a sheet of paper between the glass and the seals would be for naught after one hard run though the gears.
You sure it’s not a 1963? :)
To my knowledge,PHS Pontiac Historical SERVICES (not Society), has never verified mileage or linreage. Too much liablility. Ask Adam Levine of Maroon 5about his Ferrari.. And the steering wheel is wrong. And factory exhausts never came with part number wrappers. And why list a car that’s in Las Vegas for sale on Philadelphia Craigslist? The engine compartment is much too nice compared to the undercarraige. I’m suspicious
correct on the SERVICES……thats what happens when you allow AI to try and take control of your keyboard
K&G is in the Philly Suburbs only a few minutes from me. I assume that’s where the listing originated and thus why it’s the Philly Craigslist as opposed to where the car is said to be stored.
Heater hose screw clamps? Underside? Bellhousing? Too many telltale signs.
I think this was one of the better years for GTO’s. Beautiful example!
I suspect this car and ad is real.
I did a google photo search and found a link to a guy in Nevada looking for a pair of cylinder heads with matching early ’64 GTO numbers. His request was published just 10 days ago on GTO Forum. He said one of the heads was replaced under warranty shortly after the car was sold, and he wants the car to have matching numbers. The post on the forum gives the guy’s email address as well.
From what I remember, K & G in the Philly area [about 2 hours north of me], was owned by a Steven K [cannot remember his last name] who passed away about 10+ years ago. He was VERY well known in the drag racing community and for collecting high performance cars.
The link to the GTO Forum is here:
https://www.gtoforum.com/threads/wtb-9770715-single-or-pair-dated-early-december-63-or-late-nivember-63.144087/
And of course I would also advise anyone who wants to buy this car to spend the money and fly to Las Vegas. Either hire an expert vehicle appraiser/tech out there, or bring one along to check the car out. If the car is as claimed, with under 1,500 actual miles, the asking price is not out of line, but if it has both heads replaced, then the 100% original concept is questionable, and may lower the value a bit.
If it was my car, I would leave the engine alone, as the reason for the mismatched heads seems to be because of a warranty issue when the car was fairly new, and I would find a set of heads with the correct date codes, and include them with the car. I believe there are quite a few serious collectors who would rather have the warranty replaced mismatched head on the engine [It’s part of the car’s early history], over tearing the top end apart to put on a pair of matched heads. That said, if the owner has the matched heads, they can always be switched out later.
2 round trip tickets to Vegas is chump change to anyone who can afford to buy this car. It’s also unlikely the car will ever compete down the 1/8 or 1/4 mile track again, so leave the engine alone if it’s running correctly.
65 steering wheel and a missing flywheel inspection cover at 1434 miles? It also appears to have teflon tape on the fuel lines at the Weatherhead fuel blocks, which is a real joke if it is. The front/rear secondary carb linkage is all wrong. Worm gear clamps on the heater hoses at the intake and water pump, spring-ring at the heater core, they should be the tower style. Lots of red flags from a 1434 mile car, and that’s from a relatively quick look…
The current owner indicated on a different site that one cylinder head was replaced under warranty so we know the intake has been removed and replaced, That can explain the use of different hose clamps, as the tower type could be a pain to re-use.
As for the steering wheel, the car may have been built with the optional wood steering wheel, and the wheel switched later.
The current owner needs to submit the VIN to the PHS [$95, 4-5 days by email], to show a potential owner what the car came with as it drove off the assembly line. Was it a Tri-Power engine? Did it have a Wood wheel? Was it built with a vinyl top?
All work was completed by the specialists at Tri-Power Auto in Libertyville, Illinois. It now runs and drives perfectly, although, with a genuine and verified 1,434 miles showing on its odometer, so lets keep in mind a few clamps and other things may have been tweaked here and there. If you sat for that time frame you would surely need an oil change also. I don’t think you will find closer to new anyehere else in the world for a car of this style and type!
I’ve been watching this car, and comments since it was listed here. I’ve seen many commenters postulate about the condition of car. My question is, what is that sooty looking black stuff all over the underside of this car? If it truly has the claimed mileage, it should be as clean as the rest of the car. It appears to me, the only way to clear up the various questions concerning the authenticity of this car, is to number one, provide a verified PHS report, and photos from the museum, the car was in. Bottom line to me is, the underside of the car tells me, dot the I’s and cross the T’s, before buying this car.
Hi all. Ok, how come nobody has commented on whatever tool/machine they are using to get the car on it’s side to clean and photograph it. Does anyone know what that is? I need one…. Awesome ride, I hope the sellers are honest and the car is as described. Thanks to you gear heads for your comments and such.