Vehicle Description
With its road-ready, powerful drivetrain and eye-catching but
tasteful exterior, this 1966 Pontiac Tempest GTO Tribute is a
fitting tribute to the high-octane, rubber melting version of the
Pontiac model that became so closely associated with boulevard
exploits over the years. It's capable of far more than just turning
heads on the asphalt, and features some well-selected upgrades
including a recently rebuilt 400 V8, a quick-shifting 4-speed
gearbox, and a blazing Sunset Orange paint job. Take a closer look
at this winner but do it fast, because there's no way this beauty
stays with us that long...
Pontiac promoted the GTO from an option package on the Tempest to
an entirely separate model the year this '66 debuted, and marked
the occasion by giving it a lot more curves than its more
slab-sided predecessors, as well as wider track. The Sunset Orange
Metallic finish this specimen wears is a slick, deep color -
noticeably darker than similar renderings of the shade, with just
enough metallic flake to create a high-impact, magnetic look. It's
not a bonafide trophy hunter, as this Poncho was built to drive,
but the strong driver-quality finish will still get nothing but
thumbs up when it's cruising down Main Street. Up front, the
stacked headlights sit in bright chrome casings, bracketing a
recessed black grille and a nice, level bumper just below. The hood
scoop gives away the potential of a monster lurking underneath,
although it's certainly not as obnoxious as some of the gaudy cowl
hoods we see gracing so many restomods these days, and all that
bright chrome trim that surrounds the glass and runs through the
bottom side of the car and around the wheel arches really
emphasizes this car's gorgeous lines. There's a reason the '66
Pontiac hardtop is widely considered to be one of the
quintessential American muscle car masterpieces, and this
great-looking driver does nothing to refute that opinion. All the
requisite GTO badging was installed exactly where it's supposed to
be, and even a Hurst badge made its way out back where the rear end
is simply a menacing thing of beauty - with those scowling
taillights and dual exhaust tips serving as a final reminder to any
that tried to challenge this car and humbly lost.
The black vinyl interior offers just the right mood-elevating
vintage driving environment to match the outside of the car. The
front buckets and rear bench seat feature crisp covers that have
yet to show much wear - you won't even find creasing on the front
bolsters. A nice by-product of the Tempest's generous size is the
space on hand. Invite your friends to join you on the road and
they'll find no shortage of legroom in back. A woodgrain steering
wheel sits on its column and just beyond it, the matching woodgrain
instrument cluster holds a set of original gauges that are joined
by a set of aftermarket counterparts monitoring fuel, oil pressure,
voltage and engine temperature just below, as well as a sizable
vacuum gauge that sits on the center console. Inside that very
center console is where the party really starts, with a cue-ball
top Hurst shifter managing the 4-speed manual below practically
mocking you into slamming through some gears. The original AM radio
still sits in the dash, but a Pioneer AM/FM/CD player is nearby to
fill the cabin with sound via a well-placed array of speakers, and
a full Vintage A/C unit was added to make the cabin much more
comfortable. The trunk area in back offers plenty of room and is
lined with gray carpeting on its floor and inner fenders for a
nice, finished appearance.
This vintage Pontiac carries a powerful drivetrain that's fittingly
inspired by the GTO's performance-centric identity. A 400 cubic
inch V8 holds court in the engine compartment, rebuilt
approximately 3,200 miles ago and armed with a new Holley 750CFM
4-barrel carb, aluminum aftermarket heads and an Edelbrock
Performer intake that join a performance cam to give the powerplant
a nice, lope - not enough to wreak havoc with its vacuum, but
enough to let you know something special sits inside. It's a
sharp-looking engine, too - its bronze-colored air cleaner and
black, Pontiac-branded valve covers provide a nice contrast to the
silver of the block as it pairs with a Muncie 4-speed manual
transmission that spins a 3.73 limited-slip 'Safe-Track' rear end
to provide a great "hands on" driving experience. A new aluminum
radiator and electric fan have been added to the mix to keep engine
temperatures down in more demanding driving conditions, as well as
power 4-wheel power disc brakes to provide a level of dependable,
fade-resistant stopping power that would be out of reach in
original configuration. Smooth power steering and new air shocks
makes navigating this classic muscle car a breeze as it cruises on
its set of 17-inch American Racing Torque Thrust polished wheels
wrapped with 245/45/17 front and 275/40/17 rear Nitto performance
tires.
Impressive road-readiness and ample power team with a freshened
classic look to make this 1966 Pontiac Tempest GTO Tribute a "must
see". Call today!
