Years ago, I worked for this eccentric but brilliant man, who once had been an executive at Ford Motor Company. He later drifted into the railroad industry which is where I made his acquaintance. He had this saying that if you ran into a double advantage, for example, think in terms of not only winning an important bid but winning it at a much higher dollar amount than you originally anticipated, well that was known as “double green stamps”. And that’s how I would view this 1966 Pontiac GTO, not only is it Tri-Power equipped, it’s a convertible – double green stamps indeed! Belvidere, New Jersey is where you’ll find this goat and it’s available here on eBay for a current bid of $20,100 with the reserve not yet met.
Right out of the gate, the images of this car are not comprehensive, they’re more like snippets and curiously, there isn’t one of the front. This GTO has undergone a respray in a metaflake burgundy but the trim tag indicates that this ragtop left the Pontiac, Michigan assembly plant finished in code Y, “Candlelight Cream”. It presents well and there’s no indication of rust or crash damage. Regarding the folding top, the seller states, “The convertible top fabric needs replacement but can be left as is if you never plan on putting the top up.” Never plan on putting the top up??? You mean leave the top down all of the time? Who does that? Anyway, all four corners of this Poncho are supported by Pontiac Rally I wheels – a nice alternative to the follow-on, and more commonly encountered, Rally IIs.
This is a non-matching number car and was originally powered by a four-barrel carburetor-equipped engine. It’s now styling a later 400 CI V8 fed by a Tri-Power carburetor arrangement and is connected to a Turbo-Hydramatic 400 automatic transmission. The seller adds, “The 3-speed TH400 transmission was added to replace the 4-speed manual transmission for a more enjoyable cruising experience and was remanufactured before installation. The shop has the original parts to convert the car back to a 4-speed. This can be negotiated separately.” A “more enjoyable cruising experience”? That’s debatable, I’ve driven this version of a manual transmission-equipped GTO and there’s just nothing like it. Additionally, the seller claims, “The tri-power works flawlessly, has been upgraded to electronic ignition, and has been very reliable.” Finally, stopping power has been enhanced with a front disc brake conversion – always a great move!
The interior is finished in typical Pontiac Morrokide black vinyl upholstery and it looks fine – as does the dash pad. If memory serves me, the instrument panel’s wood trim was genuine in ’66 and not a cheap Di-Noc stick-on affair. Back to that issue of the top, assuming like most people that you’ll want to put it up and down, the hydraulics have been refurbished to ensure proper operation.
I’m not a stickler for out-and-out authenticity, as long as a seller is forthcoming and this one certainly is. The VIN clearly indicates that this is a genuine GTO and it’s well-equipped though I’d definitely want that four-speed gearbox reinstalled. Still, this GTO is in sound shape and its lack of total originality may help in the pricing department. I like this one, how about you?
While swapping the four speed for an auto may have made for a “more enjoyable cruising experience” for the seller, I’m with the author, I’d want the Muncie reinstalled. Outside of Howard :), I assume many others would feel the same way.
If you’re over 60, you will understand why the automatic trans makes sense. I have two early 60’s Impalas, one original 327 PG car and one that I restored and changed from a PG to a Muncie 4 speed. I love the way the restored car drives, it’s been upgraded to a 350 HP motor, but after a few trips through town shifting several times every block it gets old fast.
Now that I’m over 70 I wish I had left the Powerglide or changed it to a TH/400. But I was 38 back then and had no clue what getting old was going to feel like.
I’m 75 and have a 66 convert that looks similar to this one, I wouldn’t trade mine for anything except maybe a 5 speed. With 390 geared rear end I hate turnpike driving.
in 68 i bought a 66 tri barrel big block. the rear carb leaked so i ran it on one 2 barrel. traded it in, dealer called a week later, they were driving it and it caught on fire and burned to the ground-they must have hooked the other carbs up. great car.
’66 is my favorite year Goat. Favorite body lines, nose and the tailights. My older brother had one, and just remember all the work he had in it, and good times riding in it. At least it has the manual trans brake pedal in it. Maybe it wouldn’t take too much to put a 4 speed back in it. But then again, I agree with the above, the older you get, the more you agree with Howard and an automatic isnt so bad afterall.
I’m only 75 and can’t wait to finish installing a 5 speed in my ’56 Fairlane
I don’t know about the 66 dash, but my mother’s 67 LeMans convertible did not have real wood but the faux grained stuff…plastic I believe.
Rust in the rear frame rails and spring towers should be looked for.
Wonder if this is my old Goat. I lived in NJ and had one of these back in the early 80’s. Used to street race it up on Rt 59 in Rockland County. Fun times!
One of my favorite year GTO as well. Love the taillight treatment that mimicked the GP. So, it’s a GTO and a convertible in need of a top. Not original color, induction or transmission, all of which are personal preferences. If these are like the GP then the dash is wood. Like the steering wheel and tilt column but what is the attraction to those vile exhaust tips?
I didn’t know that they were still available with a tri-power that year. And that a Tri-power would fit on a 400 engine?
TMK, ‘66 last year with the 389 and a Tri Power option. The’67 was the first year with the 400. That Tri Power would fit on all Pontiac V8’s for ‘65 and newer.
I prefer the 67, The 400 4sp with the crummie jet replaced with a Holley 750 DP.
My brother served in the Viet Nam War in Okanawa as a Marine. When he was discharged he bought a brand new 1967 GTO, burgundy/black interior. I was 14 & more interested luxury than muscle. I had no idea what engine was in it but I do know it was a 4 on the floor, bucket seats & redline tires. I always liked GMs “wingback” roofline of the hardtops back in the 60s. The ’66 is more my favorite from the ’67 mainly for the rear-ended taillight treatment.
Well the 400 is a nice upgrade if it’s not a smoger, the automatic was a blunder, it’s really a mess wrong color but can be bought rite and corrected