Vehicle Description
When was the last time you saw an unrestored 1966 Pontiac GTO like
this? An incredible survivor that's in almost entirely original
condition, it's a fantastic artifact for the dedicated Pontiac
collector. Sure, it's got some bumps and bruises, but it runs great
and cars are only original once, making this a very special
find.
That's factory-applied code Y Candlelight Cream paint on the
bodywork, and while it wasn't a high-visibility color, it does give
the GTO a very subtle look. Remember that Pontiac was aiming the
GTO at upscale buyers, so the color makes sense and yellows
probably weather the passage of time better than almost any other
color. That's probably why this car continues to look so good. Is
it perfect? Of course not, there are plenty of signs of age and
use. On the other hand, it would be a crime to erase 50 years of
history just to make this Goat look like all the others and with
today's growing interest in original, unrestored cars, you'll
probably find that this one attracts more attention than the
freshly restored red one. The black vinyl top looks pretty darned
good for its age, too, and shows no signs of problems underneath,
which is pretty rare. It helps that it was born and raised in
Georgia, and the original dealer's nameplate is still on the trunk.
Nice chrome, a simple pinstripe, and the important GTO badges all
make this car stand out in its own special way.
The interior is equally remarkable, especially the back seat which
appears to be wearing ancient plastic seat covers that probably
date to the day it was sold. Buckets and a console are welcome
sights and aside from some light fading on the carpet, it's all in
excellent condition. It's got the standard gauge package, which is
speed and fuel level, but the round dials look racy and the wood
applique on the dash is holding up nicely, too. There's a Hurst
shifter for the 4-speed manual gearbox and the original AM radio is
still in the dash. The handsome two-spoke steering wheel is a
lesson in getting it right without over-doing it and even the dash
pad hasn't been totally ruined by time and the sun. Plastic mats
protect the carpets, which, like the rear seat cover, probably
explains why it's so nice. The trunk is solid, although the mat is
gone, but it does have an ancient spare that seems oddly
appropriate.
We have every reason to believe that the WT-coded 389 cubic inch V8
living under the hood is this car's original powerplant. Yes, it's
grungy and dirty, but remember that this wasn't a collector car
back in 1967 and even in 1987 it was still just a used car.
Nevertheless, it starts easily and runs great, with a nice bark
from the new dual exhaust and there's plenty of power on tap,
complements of the 4-barrel carburetor up top. The chrome air
cleaner and valve covers seem to be immune to the passage of time
and you can certainly tell that it has never been rusty or driven
in winter weather. The 4-speed shifts cleanly and with a sturdy
10-bolt rear end, you can use this car as intended without worries.
As I mentioned, the exhaust system is new, as is the gas tank and
there's a fresh shock absorber at each corner, plus air bags in the
rear springs. Like the engine bay, it's a little crusty underneath
but no critical problems and again, it's only original once so
leave it alone. Factory steel wheels with hubcaps and 205/75/14
whitewall radials give it that perfect '60s look.
A neat car to find and probably a real popular display at any
Pontiac show, this GTO has a lot to offer, including a reasonable
price. Call today!