When Pontiac launched the GTO in 1964, executives expected to sell about 5,000 units per year. Instead, buyers purchased 32,000 units that year and 75,000 the following. Before you knew it, the competition was peddling their own versions of muscle cars. The seller offers a somewhat original 1965 GOAT that spent 20 years in a barn and had layers of dirt to prove it. Now resurrected, this Poncho can be found in Brooklyn, Iowa, and is a daily driver that’s available here on eBay where the current bid of $26,100 is below the seller’s reserve. Mitchell G. is the source for another bodacious tip!
The most noticeable difference between the 1965 and 1964 Pontiac Tempests, LeMans, and GTOs was the switch to stacked rather than horizontal headlights (like the big Pontiacs). This arrangement would continue until the platform was redesigned in 1968. All GTOs from 1964 through 1966 would be powered by a 389 cubic inch V8. Tri-Power carburetion was offered until the 400 replaced the 389 in 1967. The seller’s car has the single 4-barrel arrangement, the most popular.
As the story goes, this ’65 GOAT had been in storage when the seller found and bought it in 2021. After renewing the brakes and fuel delivery system, the Poncho served as a runner for about a year until a leaking main seal came along. Out the engine and 4-speed transmission went for a rebuild of the former, and a new clutch was installed. It’s said to run well now with a newer radiator, too.
Naturally, the car was cleaned up from the first photo, and the original paint and interior look good (but not perfect) after 60 years. The car has a black vinyl top, and we wonder if that hasn’t been replaced. The car comes with its build sheet, but the machine is not 100% numbers-matching (the engine block was replaced in the 1980s). The GTO was well equipped from the factory, and we assume everything works as it should, including the factory A/C. The car wears Cragar wheels now, but the seller has the originals with wire covers should you want them (YES!).
Absolutely YES on the wire wheel covers. And I Absolutely would get a set of red line tires for sure. 389 4 barrel and a 4 speed is a great all around combination. If this is indeed all original, it’s in impressive condition. Thank you for finding this Goat Mitchell G. And thank you for writing this up Russ too. I enjoyed it.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a 1965 GTO with so many options. Great find.
Someone checked every box on the order form except tri power for this one. I would keep the wires too. Great find.
When I was younger, my cars had to be shiny and as flaw free as possible. But as I’ve aged some, cars like this have character and they really appeal to me. As beautiful as concourse restored cars are to look at, there is something refreshing about an unmolested, mostly original classic. And boy did this Goat clean up nicely. About the only things I’d do, is replace wear components like bushings and whatever other mechanical needs that it may need, and add a set of redline tires to complement the PMD wire wheel covers. Maybe a little light detailing of the engine compartment (and clean up the spare) but nothing over the top as keeping the originality in tact is important, IMHO. Really cool ’65.
Gorgeous!
Very nice!
This is right up there with the most options I have seen on a 65. In a perfect world I would like to see the Tri-power and transistorized ignition, rally 1 wheels and the nice wood grain steering wheel. This is really a cool 65 GTO.
Beautiful car. My brother owned a LeMans while in the service. And my good friend owns a 66 with a transplanted 455. Love the body style, though I lean toward the wildcat.
Too bad it costs 9 times it’s original price.
You won’t post this I know. I had one but my brother totalled it. So in my memories it’s so awesome.
Ok .. It posted.. It is good to know my comment was read. Thanks. When I think of all the competition my fine Poncho outdid as a teen It seems like a movie.
Thanks again for the memory.
The only gripe I have, is the vinyl top. Cool car.
very nice. i too would keep the caps but go with a fresh set of w/w. never a fan of the r/walls. in they were o/e but they have no pop. i like a painted top instead of vinal. if this is a true survivor then leave it alone and sell the Cragar’s
Nice highly optioned Goat … I’d put the steelies + wire wheel covers back on and enjoy it as is!
I used to like vinyl tops but then I saw what the vinyl did to the sheet metal roofs I’ve changed my opinion of them. Nice looking car though! No photos with the Cragars? I would prefer the money spent on the transmission and the clutch to be spent on a “massaged” Turbo 400 Hydramatic. which you couldn’t out shift.
I have never been a vinyl top fan. I did buy a 1968 Pontiac Grand Prix as an emergency vehicle. (My wife’s Vista Cruiser was totaled the day after closing on our first house. ) The car was very rusty but the vinyl top was in excellent condition. The previous owner was a long time customer at our Pontiac store. So I asked him the secrete for the care of the vinyl top. He said that he used floor wax. Once a year he coated the top with floor wax. I often received positive comments on the top. (The car was dark green with a light green top)
I use shoe polish paste on mine now and loads of compliments on it at car shows.
If he had the engine out for a rebuild, why not clean up the engine compartment? Why does the engine look filthy if he just rebuilt it? Makes no sense to me.
WORD!
Time capsule.
How do you activate the A/C? The heat / vent controls in picture12 look like standard controls, the window sticker clearly shows the AC is factory installed, the A/C vents all look as they should for a factory install? Do you just throw the top lever to the right and the bottom to the left and that defaults to A/C?
Yes, although I doubt this particular unit will blow cold without major repair. If it did, the seller would be bragging about it.
In my opinion, he should have taken the high bid.
Ok .. It posted.. It is good to know my comment was read. Thanks. When I think of all the competition my fine Poncho outdid as a teen It seems like a movie.
Thanks again for the memory.
Looks to me like there were at least two shill bidders at work. The last legit bid appears to be $28,900.
The bidding ended at $37,588 without meeting the reserve.