1965 Pontiac GTO

Description

The original is still a staple of the muscle car hobby, and this 1965 Pontiac GTO hardtop offers everything that made these cars so popular, then and now. The period color, the 389 Tri-Power V8, and a set of rare Hurst wheels all make this the car that you always wished you'd bought back in the day but never quite managed to get.

This is the way GTOs are supposed to look. Not over-restored, not modified with flashy wheels, and the result is a car that gets appreciative looks from everyone who sees it, car enthusiast or not. The '65 GTOs introduced the stacked headlights, which were arguably the most successful styling element of the '60s, and while it's sedate at first glance, this is a car that commands respect on the street. Finish quality is quite good with even gaps all around and just the right amount of metallic in code O Tiger Gold paint, which was available by special order only in 1965. Clean and almost devoid of trim, this GTO definitely delivers on the gentleman's hot rod thing that Pontiac was aiming for, and the restoration does it justice by keeping it as the designers intended. Nice chrome, including the bumpers and rocker panel trim, accentuates the gold paint, while proper GTO badges on all sides plus the fender emblems, remind onlookers that this is no garden-variety Tempest.

A matching gold vinyl interior is beautifully restored and accurately presented, proving once again that Pontiac interiors were the best of the best in the mid-60s. Diagonally-oriented pleats, Pontiac chevrons, and subtly peaked cushions are instantly identifiable, and the fit of the seat covers and carpets is undoubtedly better than new. Sliding behind the wheel, you're relived to find that this GTO carries only the critical parts: a 4-speed with a Hurst shifter, a woodgrained steering wheel befitting its image, and precious little else to get in the way of performance. The gauges are nicely restored and include a factory tach and the original AM radio still lives in the dash. The console is probably original, but it's so nice that you aren't sure whether to restore it or keep it as-is, and the carpets are the only area that show even the smallest amount of use. Open the trunk and you'll find beautifully painted floor pans and a full-sized spare with jack assembly.

Pontiac's famous 389 cubic inch V8 really doesn't need a lot of description, and during the restoration this one was upgraded from a base 4-barrel carb to the mighty Tri-Power configuration, making it fearsomely fast on the street. Correctly detailed with corporate turquoise engine paint, tidy little air cleaners on the carburetors, and chrome valve covers simply because Pontiac brass new that car guys were going to spend a lot of time admiring this engine. It's got about 1000 miles on the rebuild so it's only just now getting broken-in and the wicked cackle from the dual exhaust system with X-pipe is worth the price of admission all by itself. The 4-speed transmission is linked to a set of 3.23 gears on a Saf-T-Track limited slip, so it's a great cruiser, and the undercarriage is tidy and orderly with fresh shocks, a new gas tank, and new hardware throughout. Those rare Hurst wheels were a hot period accessory and even more so today, and they're wrapped in correct-looking redline radials.

Completely documented with PHS paperwork and restoration receipts, this wonderful GTO nails the factory look and delivers performance that's still impressive today. Call now!