If you walk into a dealership today intent on driving away in a shiny new offering from their range, you will face choosing from a set selection of paint shades. In years past, manufacturers provided buyers with the option of ordering their new car with Special Order paint. Such is the case with this 1966 Pontiac GTO Convertible. While its paint shade is from the Pontiac color palette, the company didn’t offer it in that model year. This classic remains original and unmolested, offering its next owner the opportunity to participate in a rewarding restoration project. Located in Homer Glen, Illinois, you will find the GTO listed for sale here on eBay. The bidding has hit $44,900, although it is yet to hit the reserve.

The 1966 model year marked the first where Pontiac offered the GTO as a standalone model, and 96,946 buyers elected to park one in their driveway. Of those, 12,798 people chose the Convertible version that offered excellent performance and a genuinely enjoyable wind-in-the-hair motoring experience. Our feature GTO wears Special Order paint in Tiger Gold. That shade was only available for the 1965 model year, although it did reappear exclusively in 1967 as Gee-To Tiger Gold before disappearing permanently. The seller indicates that the GTO is an unrestored survivor, and there’s no doubt it would benefit from a total restoration. This process will involve removing a few dings and dents, replacing the White power top, and addressing its few rust issues. That is always a factor to consider with classics from this era, although this Convertible is surprisingly solid. The seller identifies small areas in the lower front fender, lower door corner, and lower rear quarter panel on the driver’s side. They indicate that the floors, braces, and trunk pan are solid, which is another slice of positive news. There are no underside shots, but I won’t be surprised if there is some surface corrosion requiring attention. When you consider the potential value of this GTO once completed, I suspect the buyer may decide to perform a rotisserie restoration. That would do this car justice and ensure there are no hidden rust issues set to ruin the ownership experience in the future. The Window Sticker confirms that the original owner ordered this classic with Rally wheels, and these remain intact and in good condition.

When the original owner reached the point of selecting their GTO’s drivetrain configuration, they pulled no punches. The engine bay houses the Tri-Power 389ci V8 that generates 360hp. They also chose the four-speed M21 close-ratio manual transmission, a 3.90 Saf-T-Track rear end, 20:1 manual steering, and metallic brake linings. At 3,572lbs, the GTO wasn’t the lightest Convertible available in 1966, but its ability to storm the ¼ mile in 14.5 seconds made it one of the most potent. The seller indicates that this Convertible is numbers-matching and that it runs and drives. They state that potential buyers shouldn’t consider it roadworthy, but getting it to that point shouldn’t be challenging. It needs a thorough inspection, along with new tires and suspension work. However, with that list seeming relatively short, the buyer could potentially return the Pontiac to a roadworthy state to maximize their enjoyment in the coming warmer months.

One aspect of the GTO that packs a surprise is the interior. When you consider the lack of protection offered by the shredded soft-top, its condition looks remarkable. The Black vinyl upholstery shows no evidence of significant physical damage, although the piping on the outer edge of the driver’s seat shows wear. The dash and pad look excellent, while the gauge cluster appears clear and crisp. The Window Sticker indicates that this GTO rolled off the showroom floor with a custom sports wheel, a matching shifter knob, a pushbutton radio, a selection of optional lamps, and a passenger vanity mirror. These items remain intact, adding an air of class to this beauty.

Tackling any restoration project can pose a challenge, but this 1966 GTO Convertible appears to be a straightforward proposition. The Special Order paint adds a layer of interest to an already desirable classic. That it remains unmolested and numbers-matching is the icing on a pretty tasty cake. If the new owner remains focused on the details that would make perfection the ultimate goal, it could command a six-figure value when they down tools for the final time. With values continuing to climb at a rate well above the classic market average, it is a project worth a closer look.