Frame Up Restored GTO 389 Tri Power 4 Speed Posi

By 1965, the Pontiac GTO was one of the hottest-selling and most imitated muscle cars in the country. With styling that was both sophisticated and aggressive, the car could double as a gentlemen's express or an all-out performance machine. This well documented 1965 GTO has been expertly restored, features a proper WT-coded engine and is a fantastic car for anyone who wants to show and enjoy their vintage Pontiac muscle.

Frame up restored in 2006, this car demonstrates that things of quality have no fear of time with all original body panels being present and accounted for. The car was re-sprayed in its original code B Blue Charcoal and despite having great base coat/clear coat paint displays a finish that looks more like traditional lacquer. When the paint dried, a black vinyl top was added to make this car perfectly epitomize the GTOs image of all performance underneath wrapped in a universally appealing, upscale package. At the front of the car, vertically stacked T3 headlights and a split grille are Pontiac design masterpieces which look great trimmed in chrome and divided by a silver Pontiac arrow head. A full width show-ready chrome bumper combines with the broad split grille to make the car look wider and more aggressive. In the left side of the grille, a prominent and wide set “GTO” emblem stands out from the black and blue front end. New for 1965 was a GTO exclusive hood scoop that wasn't ostentatious but definitely conveyed a sense of performance. The sides of the car are a bit more subtle that the front, featuring red pin stripes that run along the top of the vertical side panels and well maintained stainless trim around the wheel openings and along the rocker panels. Behind the front tires, GTO emblems that are in excellent condition, feature red inlays and “6.5 litre” displacement stampings, which were Pontiacs attempt at becoming more European. On the rear quarters, subtle, wide “GTO” emblems are inlayed with black and look factory fresh. All glass appears to be original and is bordered by bright stainless and combined with the vinyl top highlights the clean 60s lines of the 2 door hardtop body. Chrome is minimal with only a passenger side mounted power antenna, correct chrome mirrors, and chrome GM door handles breaking up the Charcoal Blue paint. At the back of the car, a body width chrome bumper with optional deluxe back up lights sits below a great looking body width finned rear valence that cleverly hides the cars brake lights. Appropriately centered for advertisement to victims of the 389 is a “Pontiac” emblem with white inlays. On the trunk, another subtle black “GTO” emblem accompanies a silver Pontiac arrow head that is centered on the main horizontal body line of the car.

From the factory, the WT 389 when equipped with the Tri-Power set up featured 10.75.1 compression and was rated at 360 horsepower and 424 lb./ft. of torque. This WT-coded 389 was rebuilt in 2006 during the cars frame off restoration and performs great. A Tri-Power intake setup was added using correct parts and the engine was finished in correct Pontiac Turquoise. Chrome valve covers are correct and the carburetors each sport their own small, round air cleaner, as original. Detailing is nicely done, including the proper finishes on items like the master cylinder, the alternator, and even the throttle return spring. The satin black inner fenders create a beautiful frame for the turquoise V8, and even things like the hoses and clamps are correct reproduction items. In front of the turquoise engine, you'll find a correct optional 7 blade GTO fan and clutch siting behind a correct radiator and a reproduction Delco battery. This is an engine compartment you'll be proud to show, it's clean, well done and look fantastic.

The chassis is equally nice, and shows that this was a complete restoration because every nook and cranny was successfully detailed. Equipped with a 4-speed and a 10-bolt limited slip rear end with 3.23 gears, this cars performance credentials can't be dismissed. The floors are solid and coated in correct satin black, not over-restored or over-finished, and the suspension is 100% stock with the exception of rear air shocks. Power steering was added to make turns a little more manageable and aluminum manual drum brakes from a '66 GTO have been installed and are surprisingly strong. A dual exhaust system sounds right with Flowmaster mufflers and looks even better with stainless Firebird tips. Wheels are cool reproduction polished Hurst units, with chrome lug nuts and chrome Hurst center caps, which look exceptional on the handsome GTOs coke bottle shape. Wrapped around those wheels is a set of period-correct redline tires. The bottom of this car is as complete as the top; it's reliable, show-worthy and clean.

Inside this GTO is an almost completely original interior that has aged as well as the cars legacy. The original front buckets and rear bench feature the Pontiac arrow head in their back panels and look fantastic with only the driver's seat showing any wear at all. The round-faced gauges in the wood grained upper dash were intended to be reminiscent of a European sports car, and they all appear to have been restored with the rest of the car. A chrome three spoke steering wheel gives a clear line of sight to those gauges while an optional push button radio is just a finger touch away in the lower dash. Correct GTO emblems are used on the great looking door panels and the dash features original chrome trim and body color matched GTO ornamentation. New carpet houses a simple chrome shifter and is protected by black reproduction floor mats. A tight new headliner occupies the roof and is fitted with new chrome visor hardware and a new interior light. The trunk wears new spatter paint, carries a fresh mat, a full-sized spare tire assembly and is lit by a courtesy light.

Documents for this GTO include the original owner's manual, a history of the various owners of the car and documentation from Pontiac Historical Services.

Few muscle cars are as iconic as the mighty GTO. This expertly restored 1965 Pontiac GTO is highly correct and with its unusual color, will stand out at a show and win trophies. Packing a Tri-Power 389 under the hood, it's an ideal blend of performance and style that will be a pleasure to own. If you've been looking for a great opportunity to pick up a high-quality GTO for not a lot of money, here's your chance. Call today!