The Pontiac GTO is long credited with starting the mid-size muscle car movement in the 1960s. Though many now think the letters GTO stood for “gas, tires, and oil,” it’s an abbreviation for Gran Turismo Omologato (“grand tourer homologated”) which was a nod to the Ferrari 250 GTO. This 1965 edition, a second-year model, is in rough shape and has its share of problems. But the low asking price in Paw Paw, Michigan helps make it a candidate for possible restoration. Available here on eBay, the seller is hoping to get $2,950 but will consider offers. Thanks, Tommy T-Tops, for bringing this barn find to our attention!
Initially, the GTO was intended to be a limited production option based on the Tempest/ LeMans, but more than 32,000 units sold in 1964 and the number jumped to 75,000 in 1965. Pontiac had a hit on their hands, enough for the GTO to become a series of its own in 1966 and Motor Trend‘s Car of the Year in 1968. Most 1965 GTO’s left the factory with a 389 cubic-inch V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor, like this car, but its original powerplant is now in several pieces and has been replaced by a non-running duplicate.
This GTO has a 3-speed manual transmission, less common than a 4-speed and not necessarily original to the car. The seller provides a list of original parts numbers, which we assume apply to the disassembled engine that’s out of the car and not photographed. Hopefully, there are enough viable parts between the two engines to rebuild the one that came new with the Pontiac.
It looks as though this GTO was pulled out of long-term storage when the seller acquired and loaded it on a trailer (sorry, no “before” pics are provided). The body is rough and rusty, as is the frame of the car, so it’s going to have to be taken apart and sandblasted to get at how much metalwork will be needed. The car is barely a roller with only one wheel that spins, so expect to have to drag it on and off your method of conveyance. The doors are frozen shut, too. The Pontiac’s original color is said to be Mayfair Maize, a kind of yellow or cream.
Gas, tires, and oil….NOBODY thinks that
W16 conversion, anyone?
?
scrap
Pop top roof ready. (Pull it back please for sun roof)
We’ve seen worse mopes for more.
I think some duct tape on roof and sanding on lower quarters with some wmart rattle cans and your getting there soon.
What is this huge gap above the windshield?!? Is that the roof coming apart at the seam above the windshield?? Maybe someone would want this as a parts car… the few that are left… This had to have been out in a field for a couple of decades.
No the chrome around the windshield is missing
NO, the inside pix show the day light coming thru the big rust hole in the top above the windshield. This to me is a total parts car only, it would cost way too much to try to save it. I own one and know the cost to do a proper body off restoration. The owner would do much better dollar wise parting out at this point. My ’65 came with the factory 3 spd and has been upgraded to a 4 spd.
Sentiment makes me love this car, cause as a kid my neighbor built one of these in the street, in my NY neighborhood 1971/72, w a built 400 Pontiac motor that Grenaded at National Speedway in Long Island, but this one might be toast, don’t forget, in 71, this was only a 6 yr old car
Poor old car ☹️
RIP
rip
rust in peace old girl.
Already RustedInPlace! ’64/’65 parts not real easy to find. Did one a couple years ago.
Horse crap Norman! You need your eyes checked! That’s rust separation!
Very impressive. The amount of rust that is.
Swamp find, not field nor barn.
Nice patina on the inside door panel!
Hey, sounds good to me, all you rust people please continue to stay away. This car is repairable, thanks for the NORMAL opinion!
If you feel its still got life, hit buy it now, Danny.
Normal opinion? This time it’s the correct opinion. I usually agree that a lot of guys call everything rust buckets. In this case, sorry, she’s done. Stick a fork in it.
Pugsy, got 4 of these waiting in line already. I have almost no room to house more. However, I am checking with a friend to see if he has storage room available. If so, I will hit the buy it now, and bring it home. (and she is far from done) Once again, thank you to all the rust naysayers, leaves more for those serious car guys to buy up! I can just hear you rust people now when it rolls across the show floor for thousands, mumbling under your breath, what the final selling price is! Give it a few years, and you will be talking about the current cars and rust, geez what a deal you will get then!
Months worth of labor hours just to address the rust.
If by “long term storage” you mean left outside for decades with the windows down , then yeah