1966 Pontiac GTO Convertible

Description

You already know that a real-deal 1966 Pontiac GTO convertible like this is a rare machine. But what gives this car its gravity is the level of investment that gives you a super-sleek finish, an upgraded tri-power V8 heart, and cold-blowing air conditioning. It makes for the best combo when you want an icon that offers a cool breeze in your face and a seductive rumble in your ears.

There's just something about a red GTO that gets your enthusiast's heart pumping. This is a later professional application that sets the tone right for a car that has had some nice investments. So the smooth and even gloss does a terrific job of showing off the extra clean lines. Finding a 1966 example finished at this level is desirable because it's arguably the best year for a GTO. It combines much of the original muscle car spirit with a few extra curves in the sheet metal. You have to love that Coke-bottle profile, subtle hood scoop hints at the power underneath, exclusive tail light package, and the big bright chrome bumpers are great reminders of Pontiac's wide track design. This one has all the right factory pieces, down to the badging. But some cool upgrades tell you they paid attention to details. After all, the high-polish Billet Specialties have a large 17-inch size to fit better tires, but their design reminds us of the iconic Pontiac Rally II wheels.

Another way this car focuses on style and details is with the roof. The clean white folding top has a sophisticated look against the red for those times when you want an upper-class cruiser. But when you power it down, the full black inside mixes with the red on the outside to give you an aggressive color combo fitting of the granddaddy of all muscle cars. While the black has an intimidating attitude, you can see quite quickly that this is inviting. The upholstery, carpet, dash pad, door panels, and other fundamentals have the fresh feeling of a solid investment. The comfortable front bucket seats with headrests and bright center console with floor shifter set the right tone for a driver's car. The round gauge package is always a nice sporty touch, especially with the large speedo and tach at the center. The thin-rimmed steering wheel and Stewart Warner auxiliary readouts are also part of this vintage power car atmosphere. And to make sure this continues to feel quite vintage, the upgrades are well-integrated. That's why the classic AM/FM radio is on display in the dash, but your real driving music comes from an AM/FM/CD stereo unit in the glove box. And the factory air vents are blowing cold with modern R134a air conditioning. The most noticeable upgrade may be the radar detector, a well-integrated unit.

The engine bay looks quite stock with the corporate turquoise engine paint on the block and bright polished valve covers. Plus, the triple set of mini air grabbers signals to all enthusiasts that you have a triple set of dual-barrel carburetors. Not only does this have a Tri-Power upgrade, but this 389 cubic-inch V8 was given a full professional rebuild in 2014. Today, you'll also spot nice supporting components, like a March pulley system, an aluminum radiator, and long tube headers that add power and tumble to this V8. And more than just powerful, this is a fine cruiser, too. During the engine rebuild, this also received an upgraded TH400 three-speed automatic transmission. There were also new ball joints, upper & lower control arms, shocks, and lowering springs at this time. The package finishes with power steering, power brakes, front discs, and modern sport tires.

This bold GTO has been given plenty of investments in power, poise, and comfort. So you know this is the hot one you need to get your hands on now.