Launched as a muscle car in 1964, the Pontiac GTO earned the nickname of “Gas, Tires & Oil” over the years as the leader of the performance pack. Projections for first-year sales were 5,000 units, yet 32,405 GTOs were delivered. 6,664 of them were convertibles, the rarest of the three body styles (the other two were a pillared sedan and a hardtop). Maybe because it was ordered with power windows and seats, the seller says this 1964 project is quite rare, though we weren’t provided with the referenced PHS data. Located in Jonesville, North Carolina, this ragtop has been awaiting restoration for 47 years and is said to be complete but not together. It’s available here on eBay, the opening bid of $5,000 has yet to be cast, and there is also a reserve.
All ’64 GOATs came with a 389 cubic inch V8. 75% had a 4-barrel carburetor (like this car) while the rest had the Tri-Power setup with triple deuces. The seller bought this project 12 years ago after it had already been in limbo for 35 years. So that means the last time this Pontiac was on the highway could have been around 1979. While not obvious in the photos, we’re told the seller has “every part and motor and transmission,” with the latter being an automatic.
Perhaps unusual for the LeMans-based GTO, this one was ordered with power seats and windows, a telescopic steering wheel, and a trunk latch on the dash. The seller says the 389 has “special heads” and a big rear end, but doesn’t tell us what that means. The floors are solid with perhaps some patching, and the original colors were Safari Red (paint), a brown convertible top, and a black bucket seat interior.
The bottom line is that the seller has reached the point in life where tackling projects like this one is beyond his/her reach anymore. Perhaps this will be a cool and rare GTO when it’s fully restored, but that’s going to take a lot of energy and financial resources to pull off. How about you?
Too high a crust-to-cash ratio.
Once had a GF with “…a big rear end.” Not always commendable…
Safari red paint, a brown convertible top, and a black interior has to be one of the rarest combinations. The seller would benefit from including the PHS docs in the photos as well as of the engine.
That one’s a thrasher. Hard pass.
All these old muscle cars are getting up in age…50 years plus….what you see is actually the age showing through….lucky to even see them anymore, regardless of state…..if you dont like it, go and spend 6 figures, sure people will complain about that also….geez
So this guy is giving up the Goat to collect Ford 3000 tractors? Good move! Cleaned up and running well, those tractors will bring 5k or more each!