NEW PRICE! PHS documented real GTO. 468 cubic inch stroker motor, 5-speed manual, Hotchkis suspension, Foose wheels. Beautiful build quality, very fast, ready to show or drive. Nice Goat!
It’s bold, no doubt about it, but the finish quality of the work will make you understand that this GTO has been a labor of love. The original sheetmetal was prepped and straightened in anticipation of the vivid paint job, and it more than stands up to the scrutiny that a car like this gets. Nice gaps, fantastic straight panels, and great attention to detail all make this car stand out. It’s been driven a bit since it was completed, so it has a few signs of use, but it’s already won several awards for its paint, so I don’t think anyone will have any complaints. Most of the chrome was refinished during the restoration, although it appears that the taillights and rear panel are merely excellent original pieces. It’s actually quite attractive.
Pontiac’s “Parchment” interiors were arguably the most appealing of all the A-body options in the 1960s. It’s not quite white, not quite beige, with a hint of a pearly metallic shine, it is unquestionably gorgeous. With the vivid paint job, it’s exactly the right choice and just about everything you can see or touch inside this car is new. A fat wood-rimmed steering wheel matches the woodgrained dash rather well and the long Hurst shifter for the 5-speed manual gearbox is adorned with a purple anodized knob that ties in with the exterior. The original dash is in place, but the gauges are trick Dakota Digital units that come to life when you turn the key. There’s an updated Kenwood AM/FM/cassette stereo head unit that still sounds decent thanks to good speakers, including a set of tweeters up high on the A-pillars. You’ll note that the carpets were custom made just for this car and the combination works rather well, with the trunk neatly outfitted with more of the same.
That horsepower factory under the hood is indeed a Pontiac 389, but it’s been punched out to 468 cubic inches and rebuilt with the best hardware you can get. A steel crank and rods, forged pistons, and a set of aluminum heads help push the horsepower number way above the stock 335, yet it’s docile enough to drive regularly. A big Holley double-pumper on top of an Edelbrock medium-rise aluminum intake manifold provides snappy throttle response and the MSD ignition system ensures that it starts quickly and runs far better than you’d expect. A giant aluminum radiator, a new alternator, and professional plumbing and new wiring ensure that it will be reliable as well as fast for years to come. You also get a new dual reservoir power master cylinder for the front disc brakes, always a good idea where safety is concerned.
The Tremec 5-speed manual transmission is a huge upgrade that does wonders for this car’s street manners. It’s plenty punchy around town thanks to 4.30 gears out back, but thanks to the towering overdrive 5th gear, it’s still a comfortable highway cruiser that sees about 2700 RPM at 70 MPH. Nice! We don’t believe the body has ever been off the frame, but there’s no sign of critical rot; this one is solid, rattle-free, and shows no signs of neglect, which is always a big plus. Ceramic-coated long-tube headers feed a stainless exhaust system with Magnaflow mufflers and an X-pipe, so it sounds heroic at any speed, the disc brakes up front are new, and the suspension has been fortified with Hotchkis hardware to really sharpen up the handling. Out back there’s a brand new stainless steel gas tank that cost $2500 all by itself and the rear end is a rebuilt 12-bolt that should be indestructible on the street. Those gorgeous Foose wheels make the purple paint really pop and carry staggered 225/45/18 front and 255/35/20 rear BFGoodrich G-Force performance radials.
We know this isn’t a car for everyone, but we’re more than impressed by the performance. It’s got smart upgrades, a beautiful interior, and it really is a show-stopper everywhere it goes. Best of all, it’s properly documented, so you can proudly tell everyone who asks that yes, you really do own a real GTO. There’s probably twice the asking price tied up in the build and with just a few thousand miles, it’s still quite fresh. A cool Goat that is a little outside the lines, and that’s just fine with us. Call today!
For more information and photos, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
