Frame Off Restored GTO Convertible 400 V8 4 Speed

The Pontiac GTO created a new market segment and was the best-selling traditional muscle car of all time. Affectionately named 'the goat' it has always enjoyed a huge following and not surprisingly, demand for these cars continues to be strong even today. In the last three months here at RK Motors Charlotte we've sold as many GTOs and the last one we had, a nice '65 hardtop, barely lasted seven days on the showroom floor and easily fetched almost $50K. This well documented 1966 GTO convertible has only logged 100 miles since a frame off nut and bolt restoration and is the perfect turn-key muscle car for someone who enjoys cruising top down on the open road.

Completed in April of this year, the restoration on this '66 goat convertible is a high quality job that shows no signs of flaws or second rate craftsmanship. The car was re-sprayed in its original GM code R Montero Red paint and has a deep, flat shine that is body shop fresh. 1966 was the first year that the GTO was an actual production model instead of a trim package. This resulted in the car receiving additional unique styling cues that built on the already sophisticated and aggressive styling of the 1965 car. Up front, Pontiac's iconic vertically stacked T3 headlights are completely surrounded by new chrome that bridges the tops of the ridged fenders with a pristine, body width chrome bumper. Above that bumper, a GTO specific split grille is trimmed in stainless and features industry first plastic inserts that replaced traditional pot metal and aluminum to reduce weight. Affixed at the outside edges of the grilles, pristine chrome trimmed marker lights are centered on the stacked headlights, and inside the left front grille a wide set “GTO” emblem features a white inlay that contrasts nicely to the cars red body and black grille. The subtle GTO specific hood scoop that was introduced for 1965 carries over largely unchanged on this car and lines up perfectly with a satin finished Pontiac arrow head at the edge of the cars slightly rolled hood. At the back of the hood, red A-pillars run up the sides of an optional soft ray tinted windshield to meet a correct GM code 2 black convertible top. That windshield is framed in new stainless that perfectly complements new chrome wipers, chrome door handles and a chrome driver's side rearview mirror. The new stainless continues onto the profile of the car to frame the vent windows and run along the top of the body to completely encircle the base of the cars black top. On the sides of the car, black pin stripes run along the top of the vertical side panels and parallel new stainless rocker trim that when combined with new stainless trim around the fender openings, traces the entire bottom of the car. Behind the front tires, new “GTO” emblems feature red inlays and European inspired “6.5 litre” displacement stampings. On the rear quarters which were emphasized for more of a 'coke bottle' shape in 1966, not so subtle, “GTO” emblems are inlayed with black and look factory fresh. At the back of the car, a body width chrome bumper with integrated reverse lights sits below GTO exclusive chrome trimmed and louvered tail lights. New stainless trim runs around the entire rear valence while an appropriately centered chrome “Pontiac” emblem and a trunk mounted “GTO” emblem with a black inlay inform the competition of who and what just outran them.

Under the hood, a Pontiac 400 adds increased performance and is painted in correct Pontiac turquoise. On top of the 400, a Carter Quadrajet 4 barrel carburetor is fed fuel from stainless fuel lines and air from a correct chromed and louvered GTO air cleaner. Under that Carter carburetor a correct high output GTO intake manifold houses a points style distributor that includes new spark plug wires and is flanked by correct chrome valve covers. On the left side of the motor, a new master cylinder for the power brakes sits behind a correct reproduction Delco battery with correct cables. In front of the engine, a new alternator and a correct cooling fan are spun by new V-belts, and a correct radiator with a correct fan shroud and decal sends water through correct hoses with correct clamps. The cars satin black engine compartment has been highly detailed and no corners were cut during its restoration. The carburetor spring is painted the correct shade of yellow, the hood is completely finished with correct insulation and matte silver hinges and the car even retains its factory optioned under hood courtesy lamp. Everything is clean, well done and looks fantastic.

With only 100 sunny day miles since its recent debut from the restoration shop, the cars GM satin black floors and frame are spotless and look brand new. The stainless hardware holding everything together shows no tarnish and new stainless brake lines still retain their parts store shine. Up front the turquoise oil pan under the Pontiac 400 is dry, indicating no leaks, and sits between correct exhaust manifolds that send exhaust through a nicely bent aluminized true dual exhaust system that is complete with two dual chambered mufflers and turn downs that are located at the rear of the car on either side of a new stainless fuel tank. Power from the 400 is sent from a 4-speed transmission through a new driveshaft to the cars original 12 bolt 'Safe T-Track' rear end with correct 3.23 gears. The suspension around that solid driveline is completely stock with the exception of factory optioned power steering up front and factory optioned power brakes at all four corners which allow the car to turn and stop with the best 60s muscle cars. Keeping the power to the pavement is correct 14 inch Pontiac Rallye wheels with correct chrome center caps and trim rings. Mounted to those Rallye wheels is a new set of period-correct Firestone G70-14 redline tires.

Inside this GTO is a completely restored correct GM code 223 interior that looks just as fresh as the cars Montero Red exterior paint. The firm front bucket seats are trimmed in new stainless and feature factory optioned custom seatbelts. The integrated round-faced gauges in the walnut veneer trimmed dash were intended to be reminiscent of a European sports car and function as well today as they did in 1966. Integrated into the bottom of the like-new dash pad is controls for the factory optioned power top and factory optioned power antenna. On the right side of the walnut veneer, you'll find a factory optioned electric clock with a continuous second hand. Further right, on the passenger's side of the dash, blue accent trim includes an integrated grab handle and a chrome “GTO” emblem. In front of the driver, a correct Pontiac steering wheel is decorated with cool finned trim and a blue horn button with the Pontiac arrow head. Under the dash you'll find new black carpet that runs past a simple black shifter with a chrome trimmed boot and black shift knob to a new vinyl bench in the rear of the car. New front door panels feature new stainless trim with correct red “GTO” emblems and new chrome door and window crank handles, and new rear door panels feature new stainless trim and functioning courtesy lights. Behind the rear seats a black convertible cowl sits above a very nicely restored trunk that is complete with a correct jack, spare tire and decals.

Documentation for this GTO includes paperwork and a billing history from the Pontiac Historical Society.

This freshly restored 1966 Pontiac GTO is a highly correct car that is an ideal blend of performance and style. Packing a solid Pontiac 400 and a reliable drivetrain, it's sure to be a pleasure to drive and show for years to come. If you've been looking for the opportunity to pick up the ORIGINAL muscle car that started it all, here's your chance. Call today!