Ford wasn’t the only one making noise with a new car in 1964. While they had the Mustang “pony car”, Pontiac was starting another craze with the mid-size muscle machine, GTO. Based on the Tempest/Lemans, the GTO (option package at first, a series later) brought with it a 389 V8 that could be ordered with a Tri-Power set-up (3×2-barrel carburetors). That’s how this GTO is said to have left the factory, but unfortunately, that engine and transmission have been replaced with a 400 4-barrel. This car has been sitting outdoors for many years and will require a complete restoration. It’s available here on craigslist in Denver, Colorado, for $20,000. Thanks, for the find, Gunter Kramer!
When buyers went into their friendly Pontiac dealer’s showroom in 1964, they could order the GTO package for just $295. For that money, they got a 325 hp 389 cubic inch V8 with a high-lift camshaft and 421-style cylinder heads. But it didn’t stop there. Other goodies included hood scoops, stiffer suspension, an anti-roll bar, dual exhausts, wider wheels and tires, an engine-turned dash, and bucket seats. For extra bucks, you could add a 4-speed manual transmission and Tri-Power carburetion, good for 348 hp.
The GTO was a hit and Pontiac sold 32,405 of them in the car’s first year. 19,422 copies would be the sports coupe (aka pillared/post sedan) and 8,245 had Tri-Power, but we don’t know how many were built as both. That’s where the seller’s car comes in, one that he has listed on behalf of his friend/former boss. It’s been sitting outside with a tarp over it for the past 25 years. The 389 Tri disappeared at some point, to be replaced with a later 400. But given the car’s dormancy, it’s not likely that it runs, and no mention is made as to what that may entail.
To sweeten the pot, the seller is throwing in a 389 “builder” with an extra 4-speed. This is said to be a complete car with a straight body and rust that may be limited to the bottoms of the fenders. But plenty of surface rust is there to be had. And at least one window may be broken out. The exterior paint was once blue and the interior finished in white, which should have made a striking combination back in the day. Given the unknowns of the drivetrain and what little we see of the body and interior, this is a project that will consume both time and money.
Back in the day, these GTOs were uber-fast cars. A ’64 GOAT with Tri-Power was clocked by Motor Trend doing 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds and the quarter-mile in 14.8 seconds. That’s a full second faster than the 4-barrel 389 would have done the latter. The first year GTOs are valuable cars today, with prime examples fetching in the $80,000 neighborhood according to Hagerty. But at a $20,000 entry price with this car, you’re going to spend the spread fixing this one, especially if you want to replicate the Tri-Power.
What we have here is proof that there are also downsides to privacy fences.
They still sell those toy periscopes we played with as kids in the 60’s?
No but the do sell Drones. You can snoop on every yard in the neighborhood. (: o)
Love the car, hope somebody saves it. I just can’t wrap my head around 20K for a car missing the motor that makes it valuable and needing a body off restoration.
I bought a 1965 GTO restored, 4 speed, new interior etc for 28k just a few months ago. 20k is insane
I couldn’t agree more.
Yes it is. This stuff is getting beyond ridiculous…
My old man’s 63 Bonneville with stock 389/303hp and auto did 0-60 in 7 seconds, boy those Ponchos were fast.
The right front fender has already been replaced. All the RUST on it DON’T Match the rest of the RUST. If he get’s 20 Grand For This. Please Send The Buyer To Me, Because I Wanna Buy What Ever He’s Smoking From Him.
rusty and junk seem to go togethe. I would never go out of my way to even look at something with looking under the hood.
Yeah, at some point this may have been a 20k restorable muscle car. But after years of neglect and motor swapping don’t expect to get premium prices for something that was never taken car of. You put nothing in… you get nothing out. A few years ago a buddy of mine bought a complete 64′ GTO project car, payed $2,500 for it.
Bought one in about 1992 for 1000 bucks, came with 2 extra 389s, including the original motor. Was powered by a later 455 with RA4 intake. Was solid and ran well, needed a trunk floor and carpet. Was 2 spd auto the only draw back. I sold the spinner hubcaps for more than I paid for the car later on! Let it go and bought a 68 GTO
looks like the ‘wood wheel’ in the back seat. That is an expensive item, but still doesn’t make it a 20,000 dollar car
20 Gees and the keys? NOPE!
By the time that car is restored, gas cars will be by law off the road!
Have to say I am astonished! Finally seeing comments recognizing the very real value of junk that appears on this site. Perhaps soon buyers may wise up too?
Why even publish a car like this with little or no value with a ridiculous price?
Ya think they are taking “Rocking Mountain High” seriously? Wow!!
Ask what you want, pay what you must? That’s what WE do? So jump in or stay on the porch, but cryin about the ask??
Agree 100 percent! These people that defend “the ask” are the same that have ruined this hobby for the future generation.
I just saw a 67 GT500 that is a ruff survivor grade, driver at best for 200K! Must have saw the re-list-ville Shelby on ebay and thinks because “the ask” is what it is, that his car must be worth that also.
Keep the greed going and the electric cars will soon be the only ones allowed on the road!
One can only imagine what the frame , (or what is left of it ) looks like after sitting on the ground for decades, $1000.00 parts car at best,,,IMO.
What a shame leaving something like this outside under a tarp for 25 yrs and let it go to pot. At least make an honest effort to get it starting, running and stopping, before asking this kind of price.