This 1966 Pontiac GTO has been in dry storage since 1978 and shows 75K original miles on the odometer. Located in Utica, New York, it can be found for sale here on eBay with a current bid over $11,000. It would probably make a great first project for someone or a nice show-car build for a dedicated restorer. Take a look and let us know what you think.
As you can see, the interior is in great shape. There are a few splits in the upholstery, but they are along seams, so that isn’t too bad. The seller says there are a few cracks in the dash. Other than that, the headliner and door panels are “super nice” according to the ad. Based on the photos, the back seat looks great as well. Overall, there isn’t much to do with regard to the interior.
The engine is the original 389 cubic inch V8 that is said to run perfect off of fresh gas in a can. I’m guessing this means the gas tank and fuel system needs to be cleaned out. The engine features an Edelbrock intake and Holley carb. The exhaust exits through headers and glass pack mufflers. The seller says it thumps like it may have a heavy cam in it. Other than the gas, the brakes need bleeding and it should be ready to drive.
I think with a little bit of work, this could be a really nice car. There doesn’t seem to be a whole lot that needs to be done to enjoy it right away. The seller is upfront by pointing out there are some rust issues on the body and has included a few detailed photos. They say the frame is good though, so hopefully, the car is fairly sound.
Well, great car to find. Good color, great motor and trans esp if original to car.
Some things say 75K miles, others don’t. NY = rust market so that would explain the left rocker panel and both rear quarters being completely rotted out. Have to believe that the bottoms of the front fenders and probably the right rocker are rotted out too. 12 years of winter in NY COULD have done this much damage. Just like here in Chicago, the cars of the 60’s rotted out.
Dry storage since 78, not too sure about that. The exterior items like the paint, rear bumper, dash cracked etc seem to be pretty bad for 12 years in use and 40 in dry storage. Not sure what the lumpiness is in front the right rear wheel on the quarter? Looks like Stucco = not good.
If the car runs well and sounds like it has a big cam in it, sounds like the fuel system has already been flushed contrary to the comment made in the write up.
Ton of rot / extensive rust in this one. Seats look good but they are DRY as a desert BONE. The “split on a seam” is meaningless. They will disintegrate upon use. Foam is dry as a bone. Seams will all split.
This is one of those “Good News is everything is here”. “Bad news is it still needs everything” in the sense of rebuild, replate, replace, restore, refurbish, repaint, on and on.
Going to be an expensive restoration. It deserves to be restored to original because there are not enough of these out there that are unmolested. I don’t think it can be cleaned up enough to be a respectable driver/survivor-ish. Repainted ever?
Buy in + 100K restoration to make it right. Pretty sure you can buy one done for less in todays market and even less than that in the years to come.
What Tom said…
I want it for that horn button… but seriously, this is a bucket of rust. Depending on your skill level this could be a decent car, low option, good color but no PHS documentation that in my opinion, for any collectible Pontiac, is essential. It will be interesting to see what this goes for.
Also, why do the brakes need bled? If something was replaced, it certainly wasn’t that master cylinder.
Snow tire in the trunk tells the whole story .
Just looked up close on ebay and yikes that’s a lotta rust for $11k!! Gotta love a Pontiac, just not THIS one…
Looks pretty original. Even has the original GM keys that say “your key to greater value” on them. If the paint is original, the rust isn’t anything that hasn’t been fixed on a thousand other GTOs, and if the frame is as solid as he claims, it might be an easy amateur restoration, or even a clean up and drive-while-you-fix things survivor.
Interesting observation about the keys! If you look closely, the key in the ignition is usually a trunk key, with the rounded head. The squared off, or octagon type key was the ignition. I do know that GM keyways (the long grooves) repeated about every 4 or 5 years, that’s why you sometimes see early cars using the later column lock type keys. What would be really cool if the punch out centers with the lock numbers were with the car!
I like the conflicting opinions! That’s what makes this site a great resource and entertainment. I would be in the, eh, cant be too bad category. I did a 67 tempest that looked like this originally. Of course it was only $100 and I had access to dad’s dealer lifts and a bodyman that was willing to show me how to repair rust properly (or as properly as a 19 year old can afford – bondo was my friend).
When I did the 67 I had no money but a lot of time. It taught me to start with the best car you can afford, not a $100 car out of a backyard. At 11k, this would be a vision quest, not a money making proposition, to do it right. But parts and knowledge are readily available for these.
Like the color and four speed. My father in law bought a post coupe 65 in a similar color with tripower when he returned from Vietnam. He said it was a nightmare to drive but he would love to have it back. He Keeps a photo of it in his den. Would be cool to see this one come back to life, even as a beater.
The Holy Goat. Too much money IMO for a rusty car like that
It would be a good car to learn a rade on,but $11.000. A person can buy alot cheaper lesson. $11,000 with paitence can get you alot better car in alot better shape. Start paying attention to old building in your neighbor hood. I know a guy who had a 65 Corvett and a 55 Chevrolet-in nice shape GAVE to him. Their are some people just want it gone. I had and still have a 64 Ford pick-up gave to me. All I done was put a batter in it and drove it home and it was the best vehicle I have. Very little bit of trouble out of it.
I’d approach w caution, concerning that lumpy cam, might be a 7 cylinder 389, that’s y it’s in dry storage since 78, cars got full wheel covers on it, doubtful the motor is worked
John may be right on the 7 cylinder idea but who know, the cragers or torque thrusts may of been pulled off before it went into storage and the white walls and hub caps just thrown on. Of course whoever buys it should do a full inspection but if it is as descibed i think it’s a good deal for a real 4speed gto. Heck, even if it is on 7 cylinder, it’s a 4speed goat
The ad says that the car is a 3 speed, not a 4 speed.
You are right, my mistake. I assumed it as a 4 speed, thanks for catching my error
Nice that it survived he years….mechanics and enjoy…….
Morrokide is nearly indestructible
If I remember correctly the 66 is the hardest year to find. Perhaps I am mistaken.
I would think 64, is harder to find, there was a million 66s, I prefer the 67, cause of the 400 motor, and the 400 trani if you chose automatic, 64,65 and 66 were 2 speed powerglides
For what it’s worth, the Pontiacs did not use a Powerglide, they were a Chevrolet only transmission. They were both two speed automatics, but virtually all parts and case are different. The trans was used in the BOP cars… Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac. Chevrolet also used a different bell housing bolt pattern than BOP.