Whether you are looking for a Pontiac GTO as a restoration project, or you just want one that you can drive and enjoy as it is, this 1964 GTO would seem to tick a lot of boxes for the prospective owner. It is a barn find that has been revived and is in good mechanical condition. Located in Whittier, California, you will find the GTO listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set the opening bid at $25,000, but there has been no action on the car so far. However, there is also a BIN option available at $35,000.
The original Silvermist Gray paint on the GTO is looking pretty tired and baked, but don’t let this deter you. The owner claims that beneath that ruined paint lies a car that is completely rust-free. I’m not sure what the deal is with the paint on the passenger side quarter panel, but as best as we can see from the limited number of photos, it does appear that the owner’s claim might be correct. There are a few dings and marks around the car, but there doesn’t appear to be anything major. The external chrome and trim look quite respectable, as does all of the factory tinted glass. It really looks like a bit of light panel work and a fresh coat of paint would have this old classic really sparkling.
When you open the doors on the Pontiac, you find yourself confronted with more positive news. Apart from a crack in the dash pad, some wear on the carpet, and a dilapidated armrest on the driver’s door, the rest of the interior looks very respectable. The upholstery on the seats is in good order, as is the headliner and other trim items. There are some aftermarket gauges and an odd switch under the dash, along with a fire extinguisher installed in the passenger side footwell, but the rest of it appears to be original and unmolested. The console looks like it is in good condition, and the factory radio, complete with the optional rear speaker, is also still present.
With the original 325hp version of the 389ci V8, an M20 4-speed manual transmission, and power steering, this GTO should be a very respectable performer. The combination allowed the GTO to accelerate from 0-60mph in a neat 6 seconds, while the ¼ mile took 14.6 seconds before the GTO wound out to a top speed of 132mph. The owner says that everything on this car is original and that it runs and drives really well. Included in the sale is a huge collection of documentation, and this dates right back to “day 1” for the car. There’s the Window Sticker, Order Form, Protect-O-Plate, Owner’s Manual, PHS documentation, plus numerous other items for the next owner.
This 1964 Pontiac GTO represents a great barn find, and it is a car that could quite easily be driven and enjoyed exactly as it stands today. It looks like it will require very little work to return it to its absolute best, and once this has been done, the next owner can be assured that they will own a true classic that will continue to appreciate in value.
One of the first muscle cars and it ran like it robbed a bank. I recall a local guy, running a new GTO with posi, slicks and exhaust and consistently running 13.2 at 108 mph. Amazingly consistent and fast at the time. Very few cars could do that, still fast today. DeLorean was a lot of things but certainly a car guy. I don’t know if it is really true, but the rumor was, this was the result of DeLorean and the engineers having a “what if” session, when someone said let’s put a 389 in here and DeLorean said go ahead. I believe that continued with Pontiac 421 heads, special cam, etc. Some say he invented the muscle car, I agree.
Correction. THE first muscle car.
I would think a 1962 bubbletop Biscayne with a 409 425hp would be considered a muscle car especially since it weighed the same 3500lbs as the GTO. That’s 100hp more than the GTO at the same weight.
The 1962 Plymouths was a midsize car had the 413 420hp at a 115′ wheel base while the gto’s were at 114′. Same size car with more hp.
I do like the 64 gto.
What about the 1957 Rambler Rebel? 108″ wheelbase chassis with a 327 from the big Ambassador.
Going back further, some consider the 1949 Oldsmobile 88 and 1936 Buick Century to be early muscle cars.
Regardless of opinions, cubic inches, curb weight, or any other factor, you can’t argue that the term “musclecar” and the 8 year craze that followed originated with the 64 gto and its concept- full size car engine, midsize chassis. IT and only IT was the one that broke the barrier.
From what I understand, it came from tweaked 389 installed in one of the compact transaxle Tempests first in 1962 or so and the idea evolved from there.
It’s overpriced, low to mid-teens would likely find a buyer. The car is a bit too rough for the asking price, I’d be surprised if the passenger side quarter panel hasn’t been hit, that’s the most likely reason for the patch of primer.
Steve R
Very true. Its needs to be painted and a car like this has to be done right. There is some work to be done in the interior also. One would be better off finding a finished one for 35k. There are out there.
agreed, the BIN price does seem a little high, but it’s a real GTO, backed up by the documentation provided, unlike the other 64 that was being passed off as a GTO earlier on the site.
In 1968, I met a retired dentist/missionary at church camp that had a black 64 GTO
at age 8, I was already a car nut.
Turns out his adult son had gone with him to order a new car in 1964, and ended up with a fantastic first year GTO
He traded it in on a 1971 Buick Electra. His wife insisted he start driving a car more dignified.
Doc got her back. He bought one of the first AMC Pacers sold in our town and kept it till he passed.
Q: Is that bondo? primer? or a combination thereof on the pass. side quarter? I’d look at that REAL close before writing the check. Other than that, it IS the more desirable hardtop and not a 2dr. post, so it has that going for it. Good luck to the potential buyer!
NO… just four wheels and a body..I really will not pay this kind of money.. but enjoy the work in progress…
I think is opening bid is way too steep, but the overall condition (minus the quarter) is remarkable. Apparently a CA car since new, look at the fender bottoms, the bottom lip of the trunk, both very common rust out areas. correct 64 only console, looks like a dealer add-on 4 way flasher, apparently untouched under the hood. The seller does say it runs and drives good, but his buy-it-now price is approaching some really nicely restored cars. 64’s aren’t as sough after as the 65 and up, but it was the first GTO. If that rear quarter could be repaired and given the patina treatment to match the rest of the car, I’d drive it as-is. Originals always draw more attention than restored at shows, and generate a ton of questions. I have a 65 4 speed Tri Power convert, interior and mechanical restored, but it still has the original super gnarly paint. It still has the original top, a few tears, back window gone, it’s a fair weather car, but people tend to gravitate to it more than the restored cars.
Too many questions for such a high price.
I would love to own such an iconic piece of automotive history!!! What a great car!!!
Consensus seems to be that the car is worth saving, but a lot of questions need to be answered, and the buy-in is too high. I agree.
Nice speedy car that could be driven daily with little drama when new as well as over the past 55 years. Don’t think the seller will get close to the buy it now he’s asking.
Show respect for the car that, while fast itself, opened a flood gate of competition, the mass produced factory super car, not rare and expensive finicky race cars disguised as aunt Martha’s ordinary sedan. There’s a difference between the heavy hitters of the early sixties and more sporty easier to live with cars like the GTO.
He’s fishing…don’tyaknow…….
Great call stillrunners. Ended: Aug 12, 2019 , 1:39PM
Current bid:US $28,800.00
Reserve not met
[ 16 bids ]