Vehicle Description
Not many cars get enthusiasts and car fans excited quite like the
Pontiac GTO, and the convertible has us practically drooling at the
near thought. This gorgeous 1966 droptop, for example, offers all
the right parts: a 389 Tri-Power engine, 4-speed gearbox, and a
fantastic color combination that'll bring the toughest man to his
knees. No major modifications, just a really nice, real-deal Goat
that commands respect everywhere it goes.
Refinished in what is essentially a Montero Red color, a bright
upgrade over the original Starlight Black this car was born with,
this GTO looks the way Pontiac designers intended: sporty yet
refined. Those iconic stacked headlights are a slam-dunk in terms
of styling and among Pontiac faithful, they're highly-sought. Add
in a subtle hood scoop and you get a car that has the goods but
doesn't feel the need to advertise too much, allowing its own
legendary status to do most of the talking. The good news is that
when the car was restored, they took their time and get the
bodywork straight first and remove any signs of the original black
color, then laid down several coats of that luscious red paint. The
result is a straight, shiny GTO that shows very well despite being
driven and enjoyed a bit since it was completed. Sure, it's days of
winning every car show in sight might be behind it, as there are a
couple signs of use here and there that those snooty judges might
consider to be demerits, but it still looks great as a strong
driver-quality droptop. And if it's trophy-hunting that you're
after, a professional buff-and-wax could easily restore some former
glory and get this Tiger roaring on the stage again. There's still
plenty of chrome on the car (remember, this is the pre-Endura GTO)
and things like the bumpers, rocker panel moldings, and grille
surrounds are in great condition, offering a shiny contrast to the
deep red finish. A white pinstripe runs end-to-end and breaks up
the red just a little bit as well, but for my money's worth, the
rear end is what brings the crowd in. My goodness, has there ever
been a cooler design? Between the unique taillights, the stainless
outlines, and the big rear bumper with dual pipes poking out, the
curb appeal is through the roof.
Pontiac nailed the interior of the GTO in every way: comfortable,
sporting, and refined, with just a hint of European sophistication.
It is the white (okay, it's Parchment, but in today's world it's
called 'off-white' at best) interior that makes the GTO an adult's
sports car, and the bucket seats, center console with its
no-nonsense Hurst shifter, and wood-rimmed steering wheel all work
towards that end. The seat covers look great, the black carpets are
plush and protected with matching floormats, and the 3-spoke
steering wheel positively glows from within the white interior. The
round gauges are definitely meant to evoke the finest sports cars
from the Continent, and include a speedometer, clock, and secondary
gauges to monitor the engine at a glance, all inside a warm
woodgrain panel. The 4-speed sticks out of the factory console,
which is kind of a cool contrast to the otherwise highly evolved
interior, and for entertainment, there's a stock-style Pontiac
AM/FM radio in the dash that fits perfectly. Options include
factory A/C (although it needs a service), tilt wheel, power
steering and brakes, and a power top. And speaking of that power
convertible top, it's white canvas, and although it does have a
couple stains and a small hole on each side, it seals up nicely and
stows away behind the rear seats. The trunk has plenty of room to
accommodate most travel plans, and it's been outfitted with a plaid
mat on the floor and a full size spare tire and jack set.
The legendary 389 cubic inch Pontiac V8 under the hood makes big
horsepower and torque, particularly thanks to the three two-barrel
carbs living up top. With correct mini air cleaners, shiny valve
covers, and Pontiac Turquoise paint on the block itself, it's quite
nicely done under the hood. Even though the car was born with a
4-barrel set-up atop the YF block that's in there today, it's tough
to spot any deviations from stock, as it's been neatly presented
and very well cared for, so everything pretty much looks just like
it should. Stock cast iron exhaust manifolds and a newer dual
exhaust system give it a spectacular baritone sound and you'll note
that while the body was being restored, even the floors were coated
black, giving it a nicely finished look underneath. It's no longer
a razor-sharp, blue-ribbon winner, but it's still really nice and
shows you that the restoration was a high-quality one. Power
steering and power brakes are along for the ride, which means you
can sit back and enjoy some good 'ol fashioned convertible cruising
without too much trouble behind the wheel. Period-perfect Rally
wheels look suitably industrial and carry fat 215/70/14 redline
radials at all four corners.
If you want a great-driving GTO that has the right look, then this
is a fantastic choice. Beautifully restored and well-maintained
ever since, it's still as appealing a combination today as it was
in 1966. Call today!
