NEW PRICE! Fantastic survivor with just one repaint in original colors. Numbers-matching 400 V8, gorgeous original interior, newer power convertible top. Lifetime southern car, very solid, no issues. Runs and drives great!
The color is code 67 Castillian Bronze, and it is indeed the car’s original color. It’s not brown, it’s not orange, it’s, well, bronze and we have to admit that it has grown on us here in the shop. Part of that is due to the laser-straight original sheetmetal, which has no signs of rot or panel replacement. Knock your knuckles on any surface of this car, and it rings true with no filler or botched bodywork underneath. Gaps are just where the factory set them and the doors close with authority, not a rattle like most GM convertibles of the period. It seems to have been repainted at some point in the distant past, but you’re not likely to see the little clues that told us this—it looks very much like factory enamel. The Endura front bumper is in excellent condition, the twin-nostril hood looks like it belongs on the GTO (it came with the Endura front bumper), and it still carries the original dealer’s tag on the deck lid. All the chrome and stainless trim is original and looks age appropriate—a little scuffed but not damaged or rusty. Seriously, look closely at this car—you won’t find any major issues.
The code 264 Saddle vinyl interior is almost completely original and in excellent condition throughout. We gave everything a good, deep cleaning but it needed little else. The seats are still comfortable with no rips or splits in the upholstery and the material is surprisingly comfortable even on warm days. The door panels, dash pad, console, and other plastic parts have held up extremely well for being in a convertible that’s always in the sunlight, with only the driver’s armrest showing any wear. The gauges cover the basics of speed and fuel level and it includes the original AM/FM radio with an optional 8-track player on the transmission tunnel. Overhead there’s a relatively recent white power convertible top and a matching boot to make it look sleek when the top is down. The trunk is tidy with the original mat plus a matching brand new full-sized spare tire assembly and cover.
The engine is the original, numbers-matching YX-code 400 cubic inch Pontiac V8, which in 1971 was rated at 265 horsepower with a 2-barrel carburetor. It starts easily, idles well, and pulls the Sport around with ease, offering bottomless reserves of torque that make the car feel quick around town but effortless on the highway. Of course, it’s been maintained properly so it has no issues: no smoke, no weird noises, plenty of oil pressure, and it runs cool under any circumstances (we used it in a parade and it never whimpered). There are plenty of recent parts, including the alternator, tune-up components, belts and hoses, new fuel pump, rebuilt carburetor, and a fresh battery, so it’s ready to enjoy right away. Power steering and power front disc brakes make it easy to handle for anyone and it’s clean enough that you won’t need any excuses when you pop the hood.
It’s backed by the toughest automatic transmission ever built, GM’s TH400 3-speed automatic. Shifts are crisp, it doesn’t hesitate when you stomp the throttle, and it generally goes about its business with a minimum of fuss. Out back there are tall 3.08 gears in the 10-bolt rear end, so it’s comfortable on the open road the way few GTOs are. The undercarriage is original and a little scruffy, of course, but there’s no rot, no holes in the floor, and no signs of life in a winter climate. There’s surface scale on most of the metal parts, but you can clearly see that the floors, the seams, the body mounts, and all the other critical areas are extremely solid with no issues. The dual exhaust system sounds great without being intrusive and there are fresh shocks that give it a surprisingly supple ride. Brand new Rally II wheels with trim rings and proper PMD center caps were installed just recently and wear fresh 225/70/14 BFGoodrich T/A radials at all four corners.
Look again at the details, then check out the price. This is a heck of a lot of car for the money and with only 3865 built in 1971, it’s not exactly ordinary. It has a great look, a lot of performance, and a solid pedigree, all of which make it one of our favorites for the Pontiac enthusiast on a budget. This isn’t just a good inexpensive car, this is a good car, no asterisks required. Call today!
For more details and photos, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
