This 1965 Pontiac looks low and menacing from this angle, and the grille badge confirms that we are dealing with a motoring legend. We always appreciate your input at Barn Finds, and I must say a big thank you to Mitchell G. for spotting this stunning 1965 GTO. It presents beautifully, but its Tri-Power V8 ensures it has the muscle to match its looks. This classic appears to need nothing but a new home, with the seller listing it here on eBay in Ankeny, Iowa. Frantic bidding has pushed the price beyond the reserve to $31,800 but, with under two days remaining in the auction, potential buyers may need to act fast to take this beauty home.
Some badges enter and leave the market while barely creating a ripple. Pontiac may now be little more than a distant memory, but there is little doubt that the company’s GTO will linger in the hearts of many enthusiasts as the father of the muscle car sector. The seller indicates that this 1965 example underwent a restoration in 2014, including a repaint in its original Montero Red. Over a decade has passed since that occurred, but the car’s excellent presentation suggests that it has been treated respectfully. The paint shines beautifully, the panels are laser-straight, and the trim is spotless. It isn’t a trailer queen, with the seller using it as its creators intended since becoming its custodian in 2020. Therefore, close inspection will reveal minor chips, but no evidence of abuse. The news has been positive to this point, and it gets better when we discover that this classic is rust-free. The Black steel wheels and dog dish hubcaps add a touch of menace, and this Pontiac has the muscle to support that impression.
Before we delve deep into this Pontiac’s specifications, it is worth noting that it is numbers-matching. That is important if potential buyers are assessing the car’s investment potential. It raises the desirability stakes to a high level, courtesy of the first owner’s decision to equip the GTO with the Tri-Power version of Pontiac’s sweet 389ci V8. That made this a car demanding respect, with 360hp and 424 ft/lbs of torque fed to the rear wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. Those figures make it easy to understand why the GTO is considered the foundation of the muscle car segment that blossomed during the 1960s. The seller describes its mechanical health as 9.5/10, although they fail to reveal why it doesn’t rate a perfect score. However, that suggests it is a turnkey proposition with no immediate needs or shortcomings.
The “Red” theme continues inside this Pontiac, with every upholstered surface finished in vinyl of that shade. As with the rest of the vehicle, there are no significant faults, imperfections, or evidence of wear. The wheel, column-mounted tach, and fire extinguisher are additions that the winning bidder could remove if they prefer originality. Otherwise, this interior needs nothing.
This 1965 Pontiac GTO is a classic that offers equal helpings of looks and performance. It has struck a chord with collectors, receiving fifty-three bids at the time of writing. That is the tip of the iceberg because with over 380 listing views and 110 people adding it to their Watch List, it appears that plenty of people want their slice of classic muscle car action. That begs the question of what they might be willing to pay for the privilege. Do you have a figure in mind? If so, would you consider joining what is fast becoming a bidding war? I would like to wish you luck if you do.
Nice looking 65. It has the right looks for me.
The seller could maybe help himself a little with more info and some clarification in his ad. Such as clarify when the restoration was done as that is a little misleading maybe. Does it have PHS? What options does it have beyond what you can see. Etc etc. Looks like he may be a rookie seller on EBay so maybe someone could have helped guide him a little?
Nice car that should do well. It would look good in my garage but no room.
Maybe because it’s a GTO but IMO the Tempest has the best lines of all GM A-bodies in ’64 &’65. Perfect balance. The stacked headlamps lend to the menacing appearance. Could be I’m just a fool for a red car.
I had a 65 lemans in tthe rarly 90s same body and interior except mine was a automatic I thought about changing the emblems and the hood and trying to sell it as a GTO but I was at the Everett mall one day and A guy walked up and made a offer I couldn’t refuse so I sold it. Wish I would have gotten even close to what the asking price here was.
Troy, you were openly going to deceive someone out of their money and also ruin what could be their dream classic car purchase? That’s just awful but perhaps you’ll get that unfortunate lesson done to you someday and you’ll understand.
Maybe Chevelle Z16 number 202 is waiting for you on Craigslist.
I didn’t deceive anyone the guy who purchased knew exactly what he was getting The only deception would have been the one in the rearview mirror at the street race
Troy, would you have told the potential buyer that it was a clone or would you have tried to pass it off as authentic GTO? Just wondering. Your comment was less than clear on this point. Hoping you would have told your buyer the truth.
I find when you are completely honest with the buyer they are more willing to pay you closer to your asking price
He said he thought about it, he did not say he did it. Cheers!
It wouldn’t even cross the mind of honest people. See what he might have in inventory for you.
Minor nitpicks… Where is the PHS? Best investment you can make with a Pontiac. No photo’s of the trim tag, trunk area, rear sheet metal, underside or engine stampings. The backwards routing of the heater hoses makes you wonder… Not a fan of the very generic steering wheel, many originals were replaced and lost over the years. Remove or replace the cheap tach, or better yet, address the problem with the factory tach. But, overall, a nice appearing 65. The potential scary part is the zero ebay feedback, but you have to start somewhere…
Why the fire extinguisher on the front floor?
Several car shows require them in cars at their show. As well as it is a good idea to have one handy.
For model years 1964-1965, the GTO wasn’t discernible by an exclusive VIN and was simply option code “382” on the Le Mans, VIN prefix “237”. Respectively, there are several methods to authenticate a genuine GTO for these two particular years: Build sheet, Protect-O-Plate, code “5N” stamped on the cowl’s Fisher Body assembly plant plate (Kansas City, MO + Pontiac, MI plants only), a Pontiac Historic Services (PHS) documentation package, original dealership sales documentation or an ORIGINAL window sticker. Being that the subject vehicle is a Kansas City build (according to the VIN posted on eBay), “5N” should appear on the Fisher Body plate.
Correction: for 1964 (only) the 2nd digit of the VIN should be “2” for a Le Mans, thus the VIN prefix “824”. (8-cylinder, Le Mans, 1964)
my bad :)
Two tachometers 😃
A guy a few years older in my high school bought a new 1965 GTO convertible with tri-power. It was the class of the parking lot until he graduated. I wondered how he could afford it since the story was his daddy didn’t buy it for him. Turns out he worked his butt off to buy it himself.
Respect.