The 1966 model year was the breakout season for Pontiac’s GTO. Finally, a series of its own, the GM division sold 97,000 copies of the GTO that year, a number that would not be bested. This ’66 GTO has had the same owner for 40 years and also has the desirable Tri-Power 389 V8 (360 hp)/4-speed manual tranny. And we’re told the odometer reading is authentic – just 23,000 miles! Located on a lift in a garage in Lexington, Kentucky, this project goat is looking for a new home here on Facebook Marketplace. $30,000 is the magic number. Another performance car tip brought to us by “Pnuts”!
Tri-Power (triple 2-barrel carburetors) made its final appearance on the 389 V8 in 1966. In 1967, the 400 would replace the 389, and a single 4-barrel carburetor was left to do the job. Tri-Power was ordered by 19,000 buyers in 1966, and 61,000 consumers wanted a 4-speed. So, the combination of the two might have resulted in 12,000 cars like the seller’s going out the door. However, the 4:33 ratio rear gears in the seller’s car were a dealer installation, and the seller speculates that only a couple of hundred may have been ordered.
We’re told the seller bought this GOAT in 1985/86, but no mention is made of its condition then vs. now. The low mileage is said to be real, so the car apparently only saw limited use in its first 20 years. It changed hands twice before the seller came along. The Pontiac has not been subjected to corrosion because it’s always been garage-kept, at least during his/her watch.
Also kept quiet is whether the car runs, but the interior looks great, and what we see of the body may not need a lot before applying new paint (the car is white over white. The seller’s listing is a month old, so perhaps inquiries the seller may have had found resistance to the asking price vs. what is needed to have this car return to show quality.
So many questions. Are those two bullet holes in the front fender? Why are there no pictures of the engine bay or passenger side? And is this a former race car (4:33 gears, traction bars, low miles, etc)? Those questions aside, it’s easy to love this model year with the factory Turquoise paint and parchment interior – a striking combination.
This has all of the earmarks of a seller on a fishing expedition. Unfortunately they didn’t back up any of their claims with documentation. No pictures of the engine (is there even is one in the car) or rear end casting/stamping numbers. Same with mileage, even in 1985 I wouldn’t have believed someone claiming their 19 year old modified car had 22,000 miles, there is even less reason to now since it’s being used to help justify a high asking price. AI is fine as a starting point when doing research, but it’s often inaccurate. If the original drivetrain is present and has minimal to no rust, $15,000 to $20,000 makes sense, $30,000 is pushing it, 4 weeks on the market suggests a lack of interest.
Steve R
Who knows the sellers reasoning for the ad content. I personally don’t like selling anything, people don’t read the ad, ask the questions that could easily be answered if they’d read the ad. Maybe the seller is lazy? I’d like to provide an answer but my magic eight ball is in the shop for repairs.