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Tri-Power Treat: 1964 Pontiac GTO

The 1964 model year marked the first for the Pontiac GTO. By today’s standards, it would be considered to be a very impressive performer, but in 1964, it was something very special. This particular GTO is a survivor that appears to have led an interesting life. It is now looking for a new home, so take a look and see if you would treat it to some restoration work, or whether you would preserve this survivor as-is. The Pontiac is located in Marshall, Illinois, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. The bidding on the GTO has been extremely spirited, and after opening at $5,000, a total of 42 bids has pushed the price along to $16,100. It is no surprise that the reserve has not been met at that price. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Patrick S for referring this absolute classic through to us.

The GTO is finished in Saddle Bronze with a Cameo Ivory top. There is evidence of some previous repair and repaint work, but the owner believes that approximately 70% of the paint is original. Some of the repair work that has been performed is pretty ordinary, especially around the rear quarter panel on the passenger side just behind the door. There is also some rust in the lower quarter panels, along with some in the trunk pan. It is possible that all of these could be addressed with patches, although the owner does suggest that a new trunk pan would be a wise move. The passenger side quarter panel would be a bit of an unknown without some investigation, but I would probably brace myself to replace this as part of any high-quality restoration. The rest of the car would seem to be quite solid and shows the promise of being a fairly straightforward restoration prospect. The chrome and trim pieces are all present, although some items such as the bumpers could use some restoration work if the car is to present to the highest standard. Beyond that, all of the glass appears to be free from major flaws or problems.

The GTO is not numbers-matching, and this is where the story behind this car would seem to become quite interesting. What we find is the 389ci “Tri-Power” V8, which pumps out a very respectable 348hp. The vehicle is also fitted with a 4-speed manual transmission, a Posi rear end, and power steering. The fact that the Posi is fitted with 3.90 gears really does give its story away just a bit. Sitting in the glove compartment is a collection of timing slips, as it appears that the original owner was happy to clock up some of his Pontiac’s mileage a ¼-mile at a time. This could well explain the lack of numbers-matching status because it is entirely possible that the original 389 may have cried “enough” under the strain. What we find is that the heads, intake, and carburetors are all date correct, but that the engine block is coded for 1966. If that is true, then it isn’t a bad backstory for this car, but even the lack of the original engine comes with a silver lining. The engine has been equipped with a wilder cam and aftermarket headers, but this is a GTO that the new owner can choose to drive and enjoy immediately. The owner says that it runs and drives great, so the open road will certainly be beckoning for the next owner.

The Light Saddle interior of the Pontiac is another aspect of this car that really shines. There is an aftermarket tachometer mounted on the column, and some gauges hanging below the dash. Beyond that, it’s all original. The photos aren’t the greatest, but they seem to confirm the owner’s claim that the trim and upholstery is free from rips, tears, or stains. There is a small hole in the headliner and the armrest pads are showing some deterioration, but that really does appear to be about it as far as faults are concerned. A replacement headliner can be purchased for under $120, while a pair of pads will set someone back around $55. So it would seem that the buyer won’t need to spend a fortune to get the interior back into tip-top shape.

Cars like this 1964 Pontiac GTO don’t come along every day, and when they do, they have the ability to stir some interest within the classic car fraternity. That has certainly been the case with this particular car, and even though it is no longer a numbers-matching classic, it still has the potential to be worth some fairly serious money once it has been restored. Today you will struggle to find a tidy Tri-Power GTO for under $45,000, while really good ones can easily command prices of $70,000 or more. A thorough and detailed restoration could potentially see this particular car threaten that higher figure, so this would seem to be a project car that is well worth a serious look.

Comments

  1. Avatar Howard A Member

    I’d like to thank Adam for bringing us(me) back to earth. This is much more in line for what these should go for. Actually, adjusted for inflation, maybe even cheaper than in ’64. Okay, it doesn’t have an alleged 2500 miles, which I still don’t believe, but it sold, so someone bought it for who knows how much. But here’s a car, sam ting, the lunchpails CAN afford, and have a little fun fixing it up with the son and daughter, and the most impartent port? 2 more generations will get to experience what all the hubub in ’64 was all about without sacrificing a kidney to do so. Is that cool or what?

    Like 13
    • Avatar Turbo

      What he said. (Or struggled to say coherently.)
      It’s the thought that counts.

      Like 8
      • Avatar Mountainwoodie

        Unusual for HoA…..among the more eloquent among us. It appears it was early in the morning. way too early to be typing :)

        I had a generic ’64 .but a convertible…love the body style just right……….but sadly for this Joe Lunchpail…..too expensive. Ah well. I had ’em when only a few of us wanted them

        Like 1
    • Avatar Skorzeny

      I clicked on the comments link wondering what Howard A or geomechs would say, and there it was…

      Like 2
  2. Avatar Steve R

    It’s looks like good project with the potential of being a decent driver as is. Too bad it didn’t sell, but with a high bid $20,100 without meeting reserve that makes sense since there were no pictures of the undercarriage and few detailed pictures of rust prone areas, most of which showed either signs of previous rust repair or rust needing repair. It’s no wonder the bidding stopped where it did.

    Non-matching numbers aren’t a bid deal, neither are the modifications, that the sort of thing that seemingly happened to most of these when they were “just” used cars. Too bad many are only babied and mainly taken to shows to be parked in the shade.

    Steve R

    Like 7
    • Avatar Bear

      Steve R,
      The auction hasn’t ended yet.
      Still has 2+ days on the auction clock.
      (…& that’s lots of time for more GTO fans to justify a deep dig into their “toy fund”.) :-)
      ….
      That said, I would like to see more pics of the rusted areas. AND (perhaps more importantly) the other areas of the car that are prone to rust. I’d want to know exactly how much rust repair is going to be required before bidding MY top $$.

      Like 6
      • Avatar Steve R

        Thanks, I should have paid closer attention to the auction before I typed my opinion.

        Steve R

        Like 1
  3. Avatar TimM

    The front passenger fender looks to be a different color but the overall appearance of this car looks great!! All the right boxes were checked with the carburetion and the four speed!! If there were some underside pictures it could be a keeper!! But floors and or trunk could be a deal killler at this price!!

    Like 4
  4. Avatar OhU8one2

    I’d get a PHS report. Do the body work,paint it the same color. Throw on some redline tires. Add the one year only wooden steering wheel, and replace interior pieces that are worn out. Add factory exhaust tips and drive the hell out of it.

    Like 3
  5. Avatar Troy s

    Like the “Warning,Hurst Equiped” decal below the gauges, the idea it was flogged to the point of engine failure, and the fact it still looks this good since Lynden Johnson was president.
    Curious to see the et slips, just how good did it run in the quarter mile? Speculation won’t cut it.
    Nice ride as is.

    Like 0
    • Avatar john r

      my 66 with tri power and 4 speed turned 14.1 in the qtr.

      Like 2
  6. Avatar Vince H

    First saw one of these at Fort Rucker AL. A sarge had one. Saw my first Mustang while thhere too.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar RPOL80

    For 1964, The floor shifter in this car is wrong. Please guys, do your homework!!!!

    Like 0
    • Avatar William R

      Right shifter for a console car. You are thinking about the hurst non console shifter, which was round and very short only 8 inches tall from side of hump . I had one in 1966. Ran the wheels off of it weight was 2950 acid dipped body.13 seconds were no problem.however metal was so thin that after a year I got rid of it,all panels were distorted from torque.

      Like 0
  8. Avatar RPOL80

    Also, The “Warning, Hurst Equiped” decal, is wrong. Wonder what else!!!

    Like 0
  9. Avatar RPOL80

    @ William R. Thanks for your reply. On the first year of GTO introduction, in 1966, Pontiac&GM, along with John Deloran decided that there will be “no” aftermarket parts of any kind on the new GTO. But, Hurst did make the shifters and linkage for the GTO in 66, but could not emboss its name. So there you have it. Thanks

    Like 0

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