Frame Up Restored GTO 389 Tri-Power 4 Speed Convertible

If you're a fan of style, speed and comfort, you simply can't go wrong with a GTO. The car practically defined the golden age of Detroit, and by the time its first production run was over it had become the best-selling muscle car of all time. Not surprisingly, demand for GTOs of all kinds continues to be strong; and in the first five months of 2012, we've already sent three to a trio of very satisfied owners. Fully sorted by our own RK Motors Performance Center, this well-documented '66 convertible is probably the most GTO we've ever offered for the money. With a numbers matching Tri-power/4-speed drivetrain, all original sheetmetal and a correct Cameo Ivory on black color combination, it's the perfect turn-key muscle car for anyone who enjoys cruising fast, wide and top down. If you're looking for a fun summer classic, here's your chance to grab a tiger by the tail!

Recently frame up restored, this super cool GTO demonstrates that things of quality have no fear of time. With its all original body present and accounted for, the car was carefully straightened and sanded into like-new condition. When the highly detailed restoration transitioned from the garage bay to the paint booth, classic 60s panels were re-sprayed in their correct GM code C Cameo Ivory paint and buffed to a clean, flat shine. Now straight, dry and shiny, the car was fitted with a correct GM code 2 black convertible top and unleashed on the streets as the epitome of old school GTO style. Today it sits as one high quality restoration which wraps an all performance attitude in a universally appealing package that shows no signs of flaws or second rate craftsmanship.

1966 was the first year the GTO became an actual production model. This resulted in sheetmetal which, thanks to purpose-built styling cues, defined Pontiac's legacy of balancing sophistication and aggression. At the front of the car, a pristine body-width chrome bumper props iconic vertical headlights next to an industry-first plastic grille, a wide set “GTO” emblem and clear, chrome trimmed parking lights. Above those headlights a subtle hood features a familiar GTO-specific scoop and a legendary silver arrow head. And at the sides of those headlights, dent-free stainless rocker moldings combine with fresh stainless wheel well edgings, new GTO fender emblems and traditional chrome door handles to trace a killer 'coke bottle' profile. At the top of the car, well-maintained stainless trim frames soft ray tinted glass that's flanked by a correct chrome mirror, cleared by satin finished wipers and capped by a pliable vinyl top. And at the back of the car, a second body-width chrome bumper hangs integrated reverse lights below GTO-specific tail lights, a trunk mounted “GTO” emblem and an appropriately centered “Pontiac” script which informs the competition of who just outran them.

Raise the car's long, white hood and the first thing you'll notice is a killer Tri-Power 389 that sports a trio of rebuilt Rochester 2-barrel carburetors which are each equipped with individual stainless fuel lines and their own chrome air cleaners. Less obvious of course, is the stalwart engine's correct 9778789 casting number, January (A) 8th (8) of 1966 (6) casting date and tri-power 389/4-speed exclusive “WS” stamp. Dubbed 'Pontiac's Trophy 389' because of its domination in motorsports this Turquoise mill, which is good for 10.75 to 1 compression, 360 horsepower and 424 lb./ft. of torque, was one of the first production engines to feature purpose-built performance hardware. Its trio of Rochester carburetors feeds a correct high output intake manifold which is bolted between pristine chrome valve covers. Fires are lit by a familiar points style distributor which jolts spark plugs via a fresh set of hi-temp radio suppression wires. Cooling is provided by a correct radiator which sends water around a correct fan shroud via fresh hoses and traditional tower clamps. And exhaust is funneled through a nice pair of recently restored cast iron exhaust manifolds. At the back of the engine, you'll find a new brake booster and master cylinder combo for the car's heavy duty brakes. At the front of the engine, you'll find a reproduction Delco Energizer battery that's complete with a correct tag. And everything inside this clean, satin black engine compartment is well done and looks fantastic!

Logging mostly sunny day weekend miles since its debut from the restoration shop, this goat's GM satin black floors and frame are clean and free of any significant issues or defects. And as it sits, the car has no major leaks of any kind and new stainless brake and fuel lines still retain most of their parts store shine. The stout 389 sends power to an original Muncie 4-speed transmission which wears a correct 3885010 casting number and a Muncie (P) January (01) 8th (08) build stamp. That 4-speed spins a stalwart 12 bolt Safe-T-Track Posi-traction rear end which is stuffed with gravel busting 3.90 gears. At the sides of that rock solid drivetrain, a complete Flowmaster true dual exhaust system connects the cars restored manifolds with an H-pipe crossover, tough Flowmaster dual chamber mufflers and satin finished turn downs. At the sides of that great sounding exhaust system, a restored Ride & Handling suspension is complete with both factory optioned power steering and heavy duty power drum brakes at all four of its corners. Applying the muscle to the pavement is a set of traditional 14 inch Pontiac Rally I wheels which spin 215/70 BF Goodrich Radial T/As around black detailed center caps and satin finished trim rings. And everything from this Tiger's fresh stainless fuel tank to its Turquoise oil pan is fully sorted and ready to hit the road.

Inside this rag top GTO you'll find a fully restored, and correct, GM code 223 black vinyl interior which contrasts the car's Cameo Ivory exterior paint extremely well. Front and center is firm front bucket and rear bench seats which feature both bright stainless trim and factory optioned custom seatbelts. The engine's vitals are displayed by a Rally gauge cluster which integrates round-faced gauges and a correct Delco AM radio into a walnut veneer trimmed dash that was intended to be reminiscent of European sports cars. On the floors, like-new black carpet anchors one of the coolest consoles every designed between color-keyed “GTO” branded floor mats and a chrome Hurst shifter that's capped by a GTO shift knob. At the sides of the car, fresh black door panels feature functional courtesy lamps, nice chrome handles for both the doors and windows, and fresh stainless trim that's centered around bright red “GTO” emblems. In front of the driver, a great looking Pontiac Custom Sport steering wheel spins correct polished spokes around a black “Pontiac Motor Division” horn button. And behind the rear seats a soft black convertible cowl snaps tight above a fully restored trunk that's complete with a correct jack, a full-size spare tire and a blue and white decklid decal.

Documentation for this cool GTO includes paperwork and a billing history from the Pontiac Historic Services.

This fully-sorted GTO convertible is a highly original car that is an ideal blend of performance and style. Packing a solid Tri-power 389 and a reliable drivetrain, it'll be a pleasure to drive and show for years to come. If you've been patiently waiting for the opportunity to pick up one of the ORIGINAL muscle cars that started it all, here's your chance!