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.
I can’t read the PHS documents he posted. Is that where you saw that it was originally turquoise?
I’ve tried to buy cars from sellers like this one. I’ve learned they’re extremely deceitful. Getting straight answers is impossible. You have to accept that everything negative is being concealed.
Maybe it’s a nice car offered for a fair price, but I wouldn’t bet 10 cents on it.
Yes, I saw the color code L on the PHS documentation.
I’d say it’s for sure a drag strip car. That would account for the low miles and other visuals, Lexington had a great 1/4 mile NHRA drag strip and it wasn’t at all uncommon for people with $$$ to buy a new car for mostly drag strip action. There was an even bigger night racing scene around all counties but especially Fayette. Most of those guys, like the cars, are long gone but the survivors still talk about those glory days and recall all the names and their cars. From there the tales go south pretty quickly especially the times/speeds how far the front wheels came up etc.
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.
Judging by how high the front of the car sits, I would assume there is no engine in the car. Does he even have the engine that goes with it?
Must not want to really sell. For asking that much pull it outside for more pictures
Unless they took the WS out and sat it aside, I doubt if it survived the 433 gears.
I agree Don. With 4.33-1 gears and a 4800 rpm red line. Those old cast iron connecting rods don’t live very long. I used to have stacks of 389/400 connecting rods on the shelf in the parts department. ( 1971-1975) If the mileage claim is legit. Then it was 1/4 mile at a time. I can’t imagine driving a highway car without an overdrive with those gears. In the late ’60s a girl friend’s Dad had a 427 Chevelle with 4.10s and a,”hone-o-drive (now called gear vendors) overdrive unit. With the low profile tires these days and lots of gear. Overdrive is the only way to go.
buy for 30k spend 50k and 5yrs to redo. hope it has all original driveline. man, you be upside down for sure. for 40k buy a driver
What is do do RARE about the car???
Shouldn’t a GOAT have the engine turned dash insert?
The engine turned would have been used on the second generation Trans Am, the 1967 GTO would dash would have wood grain.
Steve R
It is on some GTOs
I agree with some other comments about price . If it is a complete car , maybe $15000. I have seen good looking drivable ones for about $30000
30K? 23,000 miles? Hahahahaha,