You have twenty days to get yourself the GTO you’ve always wanted. At least if that’s a 1966 Tri-Power coupe like the one here on ebay. It’s bid to—no wait! What do I see?—it’s not bid up, it’s listed at an asking price of $38,000, buy-it-now. If that seems to you like the deal of the year, then get busy and get to Goldsboro, NC and snag yourself a new ride. Meanwhile, the rest of us will figure out how good a deal this one is.

The price seems like a minor bargain to me, someone who has owned a 1967 Le Mans in the past but never a GTO (in other words, an enthusiast, but not an expert). My impression of these cars is that they were headed to the $50-60K range, because after all, even pedestrian ‘60s classics trade in the $20K range these days. There was a slight pause in the appreciation rate when it seemed like everyone who wanted a GTO had one, and it was then possible to be in the $30s, as this car is. So is this a bargain, or just a fair buy? Does the Tri-Power make a huge difference in value, further, and is this substantiated by the data plate and other numbers seen in the images? And what about the engine, which the seller says is very likely original while also giving indication that it might be a service block (though he doesn’t quite say it in those words). How certain do you need to be what this car was born as and now is to pull the trigger? And do you care that there aren’t a lot of specific claims made for the run-ability of this mill?

The car is listed as all original. “No rust in the body panels,” is one claim. But then the seller takes it back and says there is a rust bubble in the lower right-hand door and one in the hood. That’s probably no big deal, but the prudent buyer should be looking at the photos and asking why. The word “original” getting tossed around in the ad says to me, “Never been painted,” but that’s not correct, it doesn’t appear. So you have to ask yourself whether that door rust is a canary in the coal mine. What else was covered up by a paint job that’s unraveling anyway? Look at the mismatch between the top surfaces (hood and trunk lid) and the side panels and decide whether you’re OK with this. If it is the factory finish, then leave it alone. But if it’s not, you’re into the car for a bunch of money. Is the deal coming apart for you?

Other minor issues appear to need addressing. It looks like the center carb has leaked gas down onto the manifold at some point. That needs to be cleaned up. The AC does not work, in addition. The steering wheel is likely cracked, hence the wrap. And I always wonder when I see under-dash accessory gauges whether they’re just a neat period piece or are there because the owner is concerned with the tale they would tell about oil pressure, temperature, and whatever else they measure. All of that aside, the underbody pictures of this GTO look incredible, and the interior is more than decent. I’m not saying you go crazy and buy-it-right-now-this-minute. But this might be a worthy car for the price demanded. At least do your homework and consider making a play.