The first generation of the Pontiac GTO is considered by many to have started the mid-size muscle car revolution of the 1960s. At some point, GM, Ford, Chrysler, and AMC all got into the game, but the GTO (or GOAT in many circles) helped set the standard for others to follow. This third-year GTO (Gas, Tires & Oil?) has been owned by the same party for nearly 25 years. It’s a running/driving automobile that will need cosmetic attention before rust plays a bigger role in its future. Located in Miller Place, New York, this Pontiac is available here on eBay where the bidding has reached $15,500. The Buy It Now button is there for a buyer to use, but the price will pass-go to $25,000.

Pontiac’s GTO would enjoy an initial 11-year run and then would return briefly in 2004-06 as a rebadged GM Holden from Australia. For its first two years, the GTO was an option package on the intermediate LeMans, then became a series of its own from 1966-71. It would revert to option status again in 1972-73 and finally served as an offshoot of the compact Ventura for its swan song (1974). While the focus here on the 1966 iteration of the car, the GTO was named Car of the Year in 1968 by Motor Trend.

This GTO is one of nearly 97,000 GTOs built in ’66, the car’s best sales year. Of that, more than 35,000 were equipped with a 2-speed automatic like the seller’s automobile. This car is likely powered by the 389 cubic inch V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor, the most popular engine set-up (and the only displacement choice). We don’t know if the car is numbers-matching. The seller bought this GTO in the mid-1990s and it’s been garage kept since. It will need an exterior cosmetic restoration at a minimum.

Rust is apparent and has worked its way through the sheet metal in several places, including both rear quarter panels and the driver’s side front fender. The medium blue paint looks original (note the dealer script on the trunk lid) and has surface rust there. The car no doubt had a black vinyl top when it left the factory, but most of that has peeled away and surface rust is building now. The chrome and glass don’t appear to have any issues except for one trim piece in the rear.

The passenger compartment looks reasonably good, although the carpeting needs replacing, and the driver’s bucket seat has some stitching that has separated. The area around the shifter for the automatic tranny looks to need some attention as well. All of this isn’t bad for a car with 125,000 miles. While the seller says it functions mechanically, a refresh/rebuild of the drivetrain may be in the cards for a reliable runner once again. Upon completion of a complete restoration, this could be a $75,000 car, according to Hagerty, or at least $40,000 if its appearance issues are rectified.