Frame Off Restored GTO 389 TriPower 4 Speed

By 1966, Pontiac designers were hitting on all eight cylinders, and their GTO was one of the hottest-selling muscle cars in the country. The styling on the knockout ‘66s is both elegant and aggressive, perfectly defining the line that the GTO constantly straddles all-out performance car or gentleman's express? It didn't matter, because when you put a 389 under the hood and top it with three deuces, add a 4-speed manual, and then drape it in dramatic bodywork, it's practically a guaranteed home-run. This lovely ’66 GTO hardtop has been expertly restored and shows just 143 miles since it was completed. Highly documented and with a proper WT-coded engine, it's a fantastic car to show and drive this summer.

Although the restoration is now several years old, the condition of the body still demonstrates that things of quality have no fear of time. It certainly appears that this was a solid car before the restoration started, and we can find no trace of replacement sheet metal. Finished in original code D Fontaine Blue, it perfectly epitomizes the image of a GTO as all performance underneath, with an elegant, upscale look that appealed to buyers almost universally. The paint is in excellent condition, too, with a lot of time invested in block sanding the body and finishing the paint after it cured. Panel gaps are good throughout, with only a slightly raised deck lid corner standing out against the overall excellent work. The high-gloss shine looks great on the show field or hammering down the highway, but is subtle enough to stay under the radar, if you know what I mean.

GTOs were not famous for their excessive chrome, but the front end with its split grille and stacked headlights is a design masterpiece. The bumpers fore and aft are brilliantly restored, and the stainless trim is uniformly excellent. By 1966, the GTO was enjoying enough success that Pontiac wasn't afraid to advertise, and big GTO block letters in the grille are matched by a pair of badges on the front fenders advertising GTO as well as the 6.5 liter engine displacement, which was obviously an attempt to appear more European. The glass is in good condition, and features a soft tint that is typical of GM’s Soft-Ray glass.

The engine is a WT-coded 389, which is the standard 335 horsepower engine in ’66. GM didn't stamp the VIN on the block in ’66, so it's impossible to say whether any 1966 GTO is matching numbers, but this one has all the right clues. A Tri-Power intake setup was added during the restoration using correct parts, and the engine was finished in correct Pontiac Turquoise. Chrome valve covers are correct and give the GTO buyer the feeling that this car is something special, 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. This is an engine compartment you'll be proud to show.

The chassis is equally nice, and shows that this was a complete rotisserie restoration because every nook and cranny was successfully restored. Equipped with a 4-speed and a 10-bolt full of 3.55 gears on a Saf-T-Track limited slip, the cars performance credentials can't be dismissed. The floors are solid and coated in correct satin black, not over-restored and finished like the body. The suspension is 100% stock with the exception of some performance shock absorbers. Manual drum brakes have been restored and are surprisingly strong, although you'll have to prepare yourself for the added effort they require but hey, the GTO is a man's car, right? A correct dual exhaust system has been fitted and sounds right without being loud and obnoxious like many of the aftermarket setups. Wheels are gorgeous Rally IIs that look exceptional on the handsome GTO’s Coke-bottle shape, and they wear a set of period-correct 7.75-14 Firestone Wide Oval redline bias-ply tires.

While most GTOs painted Fontaine Blue probably received Parchment interiors, this one carries a highly unusual and very attractive code 219 Blue bucket seat setup. The combination is subtle and not flashy, although the interior is simply spectacular. With fresh seat covers, new door panels, clean carpets, and a taut headliner, there's little to fault in the driver's compartment of this Goat. Buckets were standard equipment on the GTO, and this one carries an optional center console with a cool ribbed metal top that looks racy. The round-faced gauges in the wood grained 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. With a simple two-spoke design, the steering wheel gives unbroken sight lines to the gauges, and puts the shifter just a short reach away. Correct GTO emblems are used on the door panels, and the dash features block letters that match those in the front grille. A set of black rubber Pontiac floor mats ensure that the carpets stay new indefinitely, and the trunk wears a fresh mat and carries a full-sized spare tire assembly.

Documentation includes the original owner's manual as well as the maintenance booklet, complete with Protect-O-Plate and service records from Quality Pontiac in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This Goat also comes with a full package of information from Pontiac Historical Services that shows options, the original build sheet, and specifications.

Few muscle cars are as iconic as the original the mighty GTO. This lovingly restored example is highly correct and with its unusual color combination, will stand out at a show. For many enthusiasts, the 1966-67 models are the pinnacle of GTO evolution, and when they're packing Tri-Power 389s under the hood, they're the ideal blend of performance and beauty. With some great options, this one will be a pleasure to own, and thanks to a quality restoration, some show trophies may very well be in its future. This is a great opportunity to pick up a high-quality GTO for not a lot of scratch, so if you've been waiting for the right car at the right price don't hesitate, call now!