A well-sorted GTO can be hard to come by, but this 1965 Pontiac GTO coupe checks the boxes for originality and tasteful restoration. Listed on eBay and restored in late 2020, it features its factory 389 cubic inch V8 under the hood and retains a clean title. It’s finished in a striking red with a white pinstripe, and comes with PHS documentation to confirm its authenticity. You can check it out here on eBay.
According to the seller, this GTO’s body is clean and damage-free, with no history of collisions. The paint wasn’t original to begin with, so the decision to respray it in red likely won’t ruffle feathers with purists, especially since the end result looks sharp. The new finish pairs well with the crisp white interior, which replaced the original gold upholstery. Though it’s a change, it gives the cabin a much brighter, sportier character.
The original 389 CI engine remains in place with a tri-power carb setup on top and it’s paired with a Muncie 4-speed manual transmission—an ideal setup for anyone looking to actually drive their classic. The Safe-T-Track rear axle completes the drivetrain combo and helps get the power to the ground with confidence. No modifications are mentioned, which suggests this one is mostly stock and mechanically faithful to its original configuration.
Visually, this GTO stands out without relying on excessive flare. The seller doesn’t provide a lot of mechanical detail, but given the 2020 restoration and its reported condition, it’s safe to assume the major systems were addressed. Still, any interested buyer would be smart to ask for documentation or receipts to back that up.
There’s no mention of how many miles the drivetrain has covered since the restoration, but the odometer reads just over 66,000 miles. Whether that’s original or rolled over isn’t stated, though that figure wouldn’t be unreasonable for a well-preserved car.
This 1965 Pontiac GTO is a turnkey muscle car that blends heritage with smart cosmetic upgrades. Would you keep the current color combo, or return it to its factory look?
Elizabeth to answer your question.. I’d drive it as is. 2 Muncie four speeds were available, wonder which one is in there.
With the tri-power mill, Id wager it has the close ratio Muncie.
Im with Stan….. I’d leave this Goat EXACTLY as is. This was a nice job done with a nice color combination. If I close my eyes and think of a GTO…… This is the image I’d have in my minds eye. 389 Tri Power and a 4 speed. Absolutely beautiful.
Given the opportunity there’s only one thing I’d change-get it parked in MY driveway.
What a beautiful ride.
( light drum roll) Little GTO, you’re really lookin’ fine, 3 deuces and a 4 speed and a 389, okay, John “Bucky” Wilkins( aka Ronny Dayton of Ronny and the Daytonas) was a ’64 he wrote about, but no doubt contributed greatly to the cars success. The ’65 GTO sold new for about $3gand, the 3x2s were a paltry $115 more, 4 speed standard. I read, for that, the buyer got a rocket that out of the dealer, would do 0-60 in 5.9 and the 1/4 mile in 14.3 at just under 100. With traction mods, 13s easy. I’d say Delorean did his homework. If one was to put ONE car on a display for the ages saying the “The KING of all musclecars”, this would be it.
The 4-speed manual was not standard on the 1965 GTO. It was optional. A 3-speed w/floor shift came standard. In March, 1965 a fully synchronized unit replaced the old 1st gear non-synchro transmission. The new “Dearborn” unit supposedly was made by Ford but the internet seems confused on that issue
Our neighbor in Austin had a then new silver 1965 GTO. He mentioned that his had a Ford all-synchro 3-speed.
Thanks, but that throws the whole thing out of whack, 3 deuces and a THREE SPEED? Doesn’t have the zing, eh Ronny, :)
Howard,
You realize that the “three deuces” tripower setup was OPTIONAL as well as the 4-speed?
Maybe you guys can help me out on this…I thought GTO’s VIN Nos. started with a 242 but the Ebay ad says this is a 237 which goes to a Tempest LeMans. Is there something I’m missing?
When I was about 16 I got a ride in a 1964 Goat that an older guy in the neighborhood had. When he hit the loud pedal I got slammed up against the seat. For me that was the equivalent of automotive catnip. Two years later I got a 1967 Mustang with the 390 and a three speed. I wasted no time stomping my own loud pedal. This really is a great car. I think the color changes work well. GLWTS.
Carbob my first contact with a GTO was a classmates father’s car. We were in Jr. high and he picked us up at REO concert. His Dad was a stock car driver and did not hesitate to stand on it to get out into traffic. It was 1964 metallic sea foam green with white interior and a white convertible top. It was the most beautiful car that I had ridden in. (I didn’t mention it to my Dad because his Corvette was his pride and joy.) To this day when ever I see that color on a GTO, it brings me back to the carefree days of Jr. High. And that gear banging GTO!
I get you, Wayne. You never forget stuff like that. Cool too that your dad had a Corvette.
Carbob, He started with a wrecked 1955 Corvette. We repaired and restored it when he ordered a new Avanti, which he never received before Studebaker closed their doors. So he bought a wrecked 1958 and we repaired and restored that. He used it as his daily driver until I turned 16, at which case the family car insurance went out of sight. So he sold it on my 16th birthday. If you notice a theme here for fiberglass cars. I knew at one time he was building some kind of sports car. (I was maybe 4-5 years old. ) he had a chassis and a big Oldsmobile V8 setting on/ the chassis. And then I don’t know what happened after that. After he died in 2001 I was going through his things and found the brochure and order form (filled out) for a Devin “kit car). That would have been to cool to help him build that one.
A few weeks ago at a Nostalgia Drag event I went 13.63 -13.69 @ 103.75 all day long with the 4bbl. version. It’s an open 3:23, 4-speed, stock and tuned. It’s lots of fun!
https://youtu.be/CgmIjKWCeQ4?si=dagopD92GVa9D-y6
Yes, the 3 speed transmission was from Ford. What do you expect from something called the Dearborn transmission? Have you ever been to Dearborn MI? The whole town (particularly back then) is Ford Motor Company. Virtually all of Ford’s transmissions then we’re built there. (And possibly still today) Dearborn is the headquarters for Ford. Not Detroit. I remember my father using a Ford/Mercury 3 speed transmission behind a very powerful Oldsmobile engine he built for some project of his. Because he said it was the strongest 3 speed he could find.
I don’t think there’s a tremendous difference in performance between the 4bbl. and Tripower versions. A few weeks ago at a Nostalgia Drag event I went 13.63 to 13.69 all day with a stock 4bbl version. Open 3.23 and 4-speed. Lots of fun!
Great colors on this Tripower car.