NEW PRICE! PHS documented 4-speed GTO convertible. Factory black-on-black car. Meticulous rotisserie restoration to the highest standards using NOS parts. One of the very best anywhere!
As the restoration photos show, this was a pretty solid car. Hundreds of man-hours went into the tedious block sanding and panel alignment process, because the decision had already been made to return this car to its original code A Starlight Black. Several coats of high-gloss black paint and several more coats of even glossier clear went onto the GTO’s meticulously prepped sheetmetal and today it looks simply spectacular. There’s obviously a huge amount of effort involved in making a black car this shiny and this straight, but is there any alternative at this level? Look down the flanks and you see crystal clear reflections but no ripples. You’ll also note a white pinstripe; there was talk of making it red, but since the top is white they decided against adding another color to the mix. Fortunately, that stripe is tape, so you can always remove it and do something else if that’s your preference.
Likewise, the chrome and stainless trim is all original or NOS, no reproduction stuff here. Wherever possible, they simply had the original parts re-chromed and things like the bumpers, door handles, grille, and even the finned insert between the taillights are beautifully finished. The taillights are also originals and there are stories out there that these are still the most expensive taillights ever made. They even went so far as to scour the countryside looking for original T3 headlight bulbs, which you’ll find secured on either side of the factory grille and they’re probably worth a few hundred dollars all by themselves.
With the bodywork done, the entire interior was lined in Dynamat to improve sound and temperature control. The seats got new, correct upholstery with Pontiac’s trademark diagonal pleats, new door panels with subtle GTO emblems were installed, and fresh carpets covered the floor. There’s a factory woodgrained wheel, matching woodgrained appliques on the dash, and a full set of Rallye gauges, including a factory tach and they all work properly. They found a factory AM/FM radio, had it rebuilt, and then stuffed it into the original AM radio’s slot; I doubt anyone will mind the upgrade. Overhead there’s a brand new white power convertible top, which is also how this car came from the factory, and it’s worth noting that our photo shoot was the first time it had ever been folded. It’s a little stiff but with some use it’ll relax a bit and fold cleanly under the matching black boot. The trunk is beautifully finished with correct spatter paint, as well as a full mat set, jack assembly, and a matching redline tire on one of the original steel wheels.
The engine is the original WT coded 389 cubic inch V8. It was fully rebuilt to stock specs with no “upgrades” or other tricks inside, then topped with a factory Tri-Power setup. The engine was originally equipped with a 4-barrel (hence the WT code, which denotes a 335 horsepower car with a manual transmission), but the upgrade always makes sense when you’re building an early Goat. The block was bathed in proper Pontiac Turquoise engine enamel and topped with chrome valve covers that were part of the GTO package. The carburetors wear proper mini chrome air filters with foam covers and even the linkage and springs are properly color-coded. This car came from the factory with both power steering and a heavy-duty radiator, so those are both still in place, and little things like the fasteners, the tower hose clamps, and even the reproduction tar top battery make it look quite authentic. Press the throttle once to set the choke, then turn the key, and this 389 barks to life and settles into an eager 950 RPM idle. On the road, it pulls hard with no stutters or flat spots, and the outer carburetors come online seamlessly. If you don’t understand why we’re so impressed, I’ll let you in on a secret: trailer queens NEVER run this well.
It also has a correct Muncie 4-speed manual transmission that shifts smoothly and with light effort thanks to new internals, including a fresh gearset, new synchros, and new bearings. Out back, the original 10-bolt rear end is filled with 3.55 gears, just like in 1965, and the window sticker says there’s a Saf-T-Track limited slip inside. The floors were painted proper satin black so it looks correct from underneath, and we like the factory look of the suspension that isn’t over-done but includes all new components so it rides and handles like new. Front disc brakes were also installed, but they were on the options list in ’65, so nobody will mind, and there’s a fresh gas tank hanging out back. Finally, it carries a set of gorgeous Rally 1 wheels and correct 7.75-14 US Royal redline bias-ply tires.
This is a flat-out stunning car. It was restored by a purist who understood that making it right was more important than making it how he wanted it. The documentation is extensive, not the least of which are the PHS papers proving that this is a real-deal GTO, and that’s critical. We have restoration photos that show the entire process from start to finish, and it’s obvious that no corners were cut along the way. It’s visually beautiful, highly correct, and fully functional, making it not only one of the best GTOs we’ve ever seen, but one of the best cars we’ve ever featured. That’s high praise and this GTO deserves every bit of it. Call today!
For more details and more than 100 photos, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
