If you have been looking for a GTO to lovingly restore, then may I suggest this one? It is rusty and in need of a complete makeover, but it’s a first generation car and it has the desirable Tri-Power triple carb option. The stock 389 V8 already put out a healthy 325 horsepower, but with the Tri-Power setup bolted on top, power shot up to 348! Attach that to a 4-speed manual transmission and you had a recipe for fun! This car will also look stunning once it’s return to its original Nocturne Blue over black color scheme. The seller claims that the car retains its original drive train, window sticker, and bill of sale! Obviously, this project is going to be expensive and labour intensive so it’s not for everyone, but if you are a Pontiac enthusiast then you will want to take a look here on eBay where the car is at auction with no reserve.
’64-’65 GTO’s were the best years for GTO’s.
66 was the best year for GTOs
Back in 1979-1983 my dad owned and raced a 1965 GTO…dirt track car. Can you imagine someone taking a 1965 , complete and rust free, #s matching GTO and turning it into a DIRT TRACK STOCK CAR!?? In 1979 I guess they were plentiful… if someone were caught doing such a heinous act today they would probably be imprisoned for 20-25 years… if it’s not a law that’s on the books it SHOULD be! Seriously though, I cringe at the memories I have of the interior being chunked & doors being welded shut..My dad came back from Vietnam after being there from late 69 to 71 and although he stayed in the Army , retiring in ’92, he has struggled with PTSD for many years. Being a cop until age 71(REALLY and still is part time) didn’t help…I wouldn’t think. (Sorry about the rambling shout out to my hero) I think I have a mild case of PTSD from watching the carnage done to GOAT! 😭
My Uncle had one of these in white, I had a 65 but not a tri-power, had 2 67’s which were my favorites of the GTO’s, had a 70 but seem to clunky to me. This one looks to be restorable and to the right person with some bodywork skills could do it at a reasonable cost at home, otherwise paying someone it’s going to cost a pretty penny but no matter which way I feel it would be worth it if the frames not rotted out.
It’ll need some work, the current owner has stated that he isn’t sure if the engine is free, or not ” leaving it up to the new owner to find out” . Me, personally would like to know if the engine at least turns . I would bring it back to as close to stock as possible, the exception being the undercarriage . It would be sweet w/ new shiny paint and new interior, and redlines
Strange that someone thought enough of the car to keep its original paperwork, but then let it become so horribly rusty and forlorn.
Definitely worth the time and money…..I wouldn’t pay a lot unless I knew more about it, the engine issue for example….you can free it up, maybe even get it to run, but whether it’s stuck or not will determine how high I would go.
I had a 64, tripower with air conditioning, ps, pb, remote mirror, power windows, auto. Red with black interior and black vinyl top. I sold it in 1990 for 15k which was a lot back then. It would be worth way more now if I’d held onto it.
If money were no object, I would be all over this. Factory tri-power, numbers matching, four speed, and documentation will all add up to one nice car once it is restored correctly.
My favorite GTO and my favorite musclecar, and bid to only $7.5K.
But, the current SCM Guide has these at only $24-$33K for an excellent driver, so I don’t see this one being a way to go unless you can do pretty much everything yourself. Oh yeah…and if the engine turns and can be rebuilt OK.
65 was actually my favorite of the GTOs but I wouldn’t turn a 64 down either. Looks like the tin worm has wreaked some havoc on this one but it is still worth restoring. I sure hope the buyer does it justice.
There is no way the money needed to bring this up to good standards is worth it. The floors are toast and serious rust is everywhere.
You can dream all you want but this one looks like it belongs on fine Deli sandwich……….with a side of Swiss Cheese.
Back in the mid-70s my parent’s next-door neighbor had one of these, in very similar condition, sitting in the back of their backyard under some trees & bushes. This one was a very weathered shade of red. OF COURSE they wouldn’t even consider selling it and the only time it ever moved was when they sold the house in the mid-80s…
Nice find, thanks for detailing it on BF. Perfect example of why original paperwork can be so important and revealing, for me at least. Since am not a GTO guy (a kewl-y 64 Grand Prix however IS in my stable), his papers helped me discover that “GTO” was Pontiac’s acronym for “Gran Turismo Omologato” !!!
Learn something new every day (if you’re lucky) i guess…
Good get for someone out there!