Frame Up Restored GTO 389 Tri-Power V8 4 Speed

If you're a fan of style, speed, and comfort, you simply can't go wrong with Pontiac's storied GTO. The goat 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 these cornerstone classics continues to be strong and, in the first half 2013 alone, we shipped no less than seven awesome GTOs to very satisfied owners. The next contender is this 1965 GTO hardtop dressed in subtle beige paint and ready for the back roads. The beneficiary of a frame up restoration, the car presents well all around and backs its look up with a stout Tri-Power 389, Muncie 4-speed, and a unique gold bucket seat interior. Backed by PHS documentation, this is a car you can trust too. If you're looking for a killer GTO to prowl the boulevard with, this '65 hardtop is a perfect option!

According to the reproduction window sticker, the car left GM's Fremont, California assembly facility around the third week of April 1965, headed towards Scott Pontiac & Cadillac in Las Vegas. While calling anything with a Tri-Power 389 and GTO badges a sleeper is probably unfair, this goat is about as close as it gets. Throw on some steel wheels and the car would be practically invisible to law enforcement and minivan drivers alike. That low key first impression is largely indebted to the car's light beige paintwork. Originally a Cameo Ivory car, the new hue is a little darker and offers the perfect disguise for the car's performance capabilities. A closer look reveals the sheet metal under that top coat is impressively straight– someone definitely took their time here. The body lines are crisp and panel fitment is even all around.

All those classic GTO details are in place, finished the car with factory-born flair. The front of the car is dominated by stainless-trimmed grilles anchored between stacked headlights, a satin-finish arrowhead and a body-width chrome bumper. Inside those grilles, a prominent “GTO” emblem hints at the performance bolted beneath a new-for-1965, GTO-exclusive hood scoop. At the sides of that scoop, expressive 'coke bottle' fenders hang dent-free wheel well trim and arrow-straight rocker moldings around correct, chrome door handles. On the outsides of those fenders, bright red GTO crests combine with black “GTO” quarter scripts, creating visual excitement to match the car's visceral thrill. Above those crests, like-new glass combines with well-maintained stainless, straight chrome drip rails and a correct driver's mirror to highlight the car's awesome pillarless profile. Behind that glass, a second body-width bumper hangs integrated reverse lamps below a finned valence, an ominous “GTO” badge, a second satin-finish arrowhead and centered “PONTIAC” lettering that lets the competition know exactly who outran them.

Of course, Ronnie and the Daytonas didn't write “Little GTO” about headlight bezels and corner markers. The real story is the original 389ci V8 under the hood. At its core is a Pontiac block that sports a proper 9778789 casting number, F85 (June 8, 1965) casting date, and a WT stamp. As that stamp shows, this was originally a 335hp single carb, but the car is currently running one of Pontiac's legendary tri-power setups. If you're the purist type, the original intake and carb are included but swap it before you even drive the car as is. Once you open up all three Rochesters, there's no return to the single four-barrel world. At either side, a pair of cast factory heads frame the setup dressed with chrome valve covers. The front of the engine turns a power steering pump and alternator while the water pump teams up with an OEM-spec radiator and six-bladed fan to keep things cool. The most noticeable upgrade is the Pertronix Flame Thrower coil and distributor which channel their output through new Delco plug wires. New GM hoses snake around the engine but, thanks to a focus on performance, this is an easy bay to navigate. Turn the key and the 389 fires to life with ease, settling into a quietly intimidating idle.

Hoist this Pontiac above you and you'll find a rock solid undercarriage complete with solid satin black floors and clean hardware throughout. Behind the 389, a Muncie M21 4-speed manual transmission that, judging by the combination of its P (Muncie) 0602 (June, 2nd) stamp and '64/'65-exclusive 3851325 main case, is believed to be the original unit. From there, power flows back to a tagged 10-bolt limited slip rear. At the sides of that rock-solid drivetrain, a true dual exhaust system connects the car's nicely aged manifolds with Pypes Street Pro mufflers and familiar side-splitter tips. At the sides of that booming soundtrack, the original suspension is complete with a double A-arm front and factory four-bar rear, aided through the corners by factory-optioned power steering and heavy duty power drum brakes. Applying the muscle to the pavement is a polished set of 17-inch American Racing Torq Thrust IIs which spin fresh 225/50ZR17 Nexen rubber.

Open this coupe's freshly finished doors and you'll find a fully restored gold vinyl interior that's simple yet sporty. Front and center, a pair of firm bucket seats feature bright chrome trim, cool pleated covers and era-correct lap belts. The engine's vitals are displayed by a sporty rally gauge cluster which integrates round-faced dials (including a tachometer) into a veneer-trimmed dash that's reminiscent of European sports cars of the day. To the right, a modern digital AM/FM stereo takes care of entertainment. On the floors, like-new carpet anchors a chrome shifter inside a stainless-trimmed console and matching floor mats. At the sides of the car, fresh gold door panels feature new chrome handles and stainless trim that parallels bright red GTO crests. In front of the driver, a chrome-trimmed steering wheel spins a classy horn ring around a Pontiac-branded horn button. Behind the passengers, a spotless trunk offers a correct jack and a full-size spare tire atop a new trunk mat.

If you studied over all the paperwork included with this GTO, you'd not only know the car's origins, but how to rebuild it as well. The sale includes a restoration guide, chassis manual, wiring diagram manual, and a molding and clip manual that, combined, cover the car almost entirely. There's also a reproduction window sticker and documentation from PHS that includes a copy of the punch card.

Few cars say “muscle” like a mid-60s GTO and few colors say “sleeper” quite like beige. Put them together and this Pontiac becomes the ultimate stoplight predator. With its upgraded 389 and Muncie M21, the car carries some great factory-provided hardware and the originality of those pieces just makes them that much more desirable. Factor in the unique gold interior and you've got something subtle, different, and just plain cool. If you're in the market for a street-ready Pontiac, this '67 goat is king of the mountain!