Vehicle Description
What you're looking at here is one of the rarest GTOs of all. The
1974 GTO was a one-year-only design of which just over 7000 were
built. This unusual GOAT also includes a rather rare bucket seat
interior, a strong-running 350 cubic inch small block, and
traditional red paint, the ultimate GTO color.
The GTO moved to the X-body platform in 1974 and would be
discontinued after that, so the compact coupe you see here kind of
represents the bookend to the original 1964 models. This one was
originally code 75 Buccaneer Red, and during the restoration no one
dared to change the color, and we're all better off for it. They
did a great job with the refresh, and it's pretty clear that this
car was never someone's beater because everything fits well and
lines up neatly. A new GTO stripe package was installed to really
make it stand out, and yes, that hood scoop is actually fully
functional, not just a piece of dress-up. Big chrome bumpers were a
fact of life in 1974 and they're in good original condition here,
and it does wear plenty of GTO emblems and badges, just in case you
missed the point.
White bucket seats were an option in the GTO, and that's exactly
what was ordered for this beauty. The seats, plush carpets, and
headliner are in very good condition and the white door and kick
panels show reasonably well for being original. The dash is
standard X-body, with a simple wide speedometer and fuel gauge in
the factory bezel, aided by a set of auxiliary Bosch oil,
temperature, and volt gauges that provide a welcomed addition of
information for the driver. There's a modern AM/FM/Cassette stereo
head unit in the center of the dash and other than the aftermarket
wood-grain steering wheel, the amenities pretty much stop there.
But that's fine by us, because the only addition to the driving
experience anyone should need comes through the tall shifter in
between the bucket seats. You could also get either a regular trunk
or a hatch on your GTO, and this car's trunk is very practical, is
finished in neat spatter paint, and contains a full-size spare and
jack assembly.
The 350 cubic inch V8 that came in the '74 GTO was rated at 200
horsepower, which was still a decent number in 1974 and remember,
the X-body was a relatively light car, so performance is energetic.
The big air cleaner assembly should look familiar to Trans Am
junkies, and the corporate turquoise engine enamel found in most
Pontiacs has been replaced by a vivid blue. It's very clean and
tidy under the hood with bright chrome valve covers, a fresh
Edelbrock intake, and an Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor so it runs
right and should make a great car to show off at Pontiac meets.
Dual exhaust was part of the GTO package, although the twin
Flowmasters sound a heck of a lot better than the original setup.
Power steering moves the GOAT with ease, and there's a
quick-shifting 3-speed manual, a set of highway-friendly gears out
back, and handsome Rallye II wheels carry 215/70/14 Hoosier
white-letter radials to finish of the look.
If you like the Nova, this is a fantastic alternative with a
big-name badge on its nose. Complete with PHS documentation, it's a
great addition to any Pontiac lover's collection. Call today!
