1966 Pontiac GTO
It was inspired by the Ferrari 250 GTO, and since Ferrari had not patented the name in North America, it was free to use. Although many believe that GTO stands for Gran Turismo Omologato, ("grand tourer homologated"), Pontiac enthusiasts contend it stands for "Pontiac Grand Tempest Option".
This snazzy GTO has undergone a prior paint and bodywork redux, with a non-original engine, (although it is from a full-size car built in 1965/1966), and 2-speed transmission. With its wonderful dark blue and parchment exterior and blue interior, add in documentation, a build sheet, power steering, and A/C and it's hard not to take a second glance at this iridescent beauty.
Exterior
This writer's favorite version of the venerable GTO, the Pontiac division got it all right this year. Stacked dual headlights framed with pristine mirror-like bezels flank the iconic split grille with signal lights and GTO badging, and a lower bumper with nary a mark or dimple on it. Looking down the line towards the rear we can see only straight steel, well minded gaps, and miles of Nightwatch Blue paint covering broken up by a lower stainless rocker cover and wheel arch moldings, plus again with the GTO badge up front next to the wheel well. A long straight scooped hood backs up to clean glass all around all framed by shiny polished trim. Moving to the back a long laser straight trunk lid curves downward to the threesome of horizontal thin rear taillight clusters, and more gorgeous framing of chromed trim and a snappy rear bumper. Lest we forget, a vinyl top in parchment covers the roof and you've gotta love those flying buttress B pillars that frame the rear glass deep set within them. A few chips are noted on the beaked nose, and also, bubbling appears on the lower section of the passengers door and should be addressed before they become worse. 14-inch Pontiac Rally 2 wheels are all around and sport like new BF Goodrich rubber.
Interior
You can take this interior to the bank in blue...the vinyl is just beautifully preserved and pristine. Door panels, front buckets and rear bench are like new. A ribbed chrome topper covers the center console which races through the front buckets making room for the shifter and goes forward hiding under the original dash. More perfect wood applique for the gauge cluster, and center panel which houses the airflow levers and the factory installed AM radio. To add more wood, an aftermarket wood rimmed steering wheel fronts the applique. A trio of aftermarket gauges hanging under the dash provides more driver input as to the vitals of when this car is off and running. Blue carpet floods the floors along with rubber Pontiac embossed mats, a crack free padded dash top in blue and a nice blue headliner floats above all this interior beauty.
Drivetrain
Under the hood is a snazzy 389ci mill circa 1966/66 and carrying a YC stamping code. A metallic light blue painted block and intake with chromed valve covers, and air cleaner housing rounds out the wonderfully restored engine bay. Hoses are all supple and shiny, and only very minor corrosion is seen on any parts. A single carburetor is on top and a correct 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission with a 10-bolt 3.08 conventional rear make this runner have the ability to get down the road in two shakes of a lamb's tail.
Undercarriage
Up on our lift we literally could turn this car upside down and run it around and everyone would be just as impressed with first and finish under here as well as you would be for the topside. Merely surface rust on the untreated components, sexy dual exhaust, (yes exhaust can be sexy to a car guy!), snakes rearward via Flowmaster mufflers, all the while running past perfect black floor pans and frame. Power drum brakes are all around and we see an independent coil spring front suspension along with a 4 link and coil spring rear set up. All looking good for this Poncho.
Drive-Ability
Our muscle car aficionado took the wheel and gave a 3 thumbs up to this car as to its drive-ability. It lit right up, idled smoothly, and took off like a bolt of lightning. He reported it handled well, came to a quick stop, and was comfortable to drive. This goat will "butt" in at any chance it gets, and no issues crept up during his drive.
This goat has had a good life, spending its time garaged, and used but then put away nicely. Good exterior paint retaining its shine but with a few flaws, a super engine, 4-barrel carb, a 2-speed Powerglide, and most importantly PHS documentation. We now have a whole different animal in our Hallowed Halls of Classic Auto Mall.
VIN DECODE
242176B112779
2-Pontiac
42-GTO
17-2 Door Hardtop Coupe
6-1966
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
112779-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
11D-4th Week November Build
ST 66 24217-1966 GTO Hardtop Coupe
BDY BAL2296-Baltimore Body #
TR 219-Blue Vinyl Buckets
PNT E1-Nightwatch Blue, Ivory Top
It was inspired by the Ferrari 250 GTO, and since Ferrari had not patented the name in North America, it was free to use. Although many believe that GTO stands for Gran Turismo Omologato, ("grand tourer homologated"), Pontiac enthusiasts contend it stands for "Pontiac Grand Tempest Option".
This snazzy GTO has undergone a prior paint and bodywork redux, with a non-original engine, (although it is from a full-size car built in 1965/1966), and 2-speed transmission. With its wonderful dark blue and parchment exterior and blue interior, add in documentation, a build sheet, power steering, and A/C and it's hard not to take a second glance at this iridescent beauty.
Exterior
This writer's favorite version of the venerable GTO, the Pontiac division got it all right this year. Stacked dual headlights framed with pristine mirror-like bezels flank the iconic split grille with signal lights and GTO badging, and a lower bumper with nary a mark or dimple on it. Looking down the line towards the rear we can see only straight steel, well minded gaps, and miles of Nightwatch Blue paint covering broken up by a lower stainless rocker cover and wheel arch moldings, plus again with the GTO badge up front next to the wheel well. A long straight scooped hood backs up to clean glass all around all framed by shiny polished trim. Moving to the back a long laser straight trunk lid curves downward to the threesome of horizontal thin rear taillight clusters, and more gorgeous framing of chromed trim and a snappy rear bumper. Lest we forget, a vinyl top in parchment covers the roof and you've gotta love those flying buttress B pillars that frame the rear glass deep set within them. A few chips are noted on the beaked nose, and also, bubbling appears on the lower section of the passengers door and should be addressed before they become worse. 14-inch Pontiac Rally 2 wheels are all around and sport like new BF Goodrich rubber.
Interior
You can take this interior to the bank in blue...the vinyl is just beautifully preserved and pristine. Door panels, front buckets and rear bench are like new. A ribbed chrome topper covers the center console which races through the front buckets making room for the shifter and goes forward hiding under the original dash. More perfect wood applique for the gauge cluster, and center panel which houses the airflow levers and the factory installed AM radio. To add more wood, an aftermarket wood rimmed steering wheel fronts the applique. A trio of aftermarket gauges hanging under the dash provides more driver input as to the vitals of when this car is off and running. Blue carpet floods the floors along with rubber Pontiac embossed mats, a crack free padded dash top in blue and a nice blue headliner floats above all this interior beauty.
Drivetrain
Under the hood is a snazzy 389ci mill circa 1966/66 and carrying a YC stamping code. A metallic light blue painted block and intake with chromed valve covers, and air cleaner housing rounds out the wonderfully restored engine bay. Hoses are all supple and shiny, and only very minor corrosion is seen on any parts. A single carburetor is on top and a correct 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission with a 10-bolt 3.08 conventional rear make this runner have the ability to get down the road in two shakes of a lamb's tail.
Undercarriage
Up on our lift we literally could turn this car upside down and run it around and everyone would be just as impressed with first and finish under here as well as you would be for the topside. Merely surface rust on the untreated components, sexy dual exhaust, (yes exhaust can be sexy to a car guy!), snakes rearward via Flowmaster mufflers, all the while running past perfect black floor pans and frame. Power drum brakes are all around and we see an independent coil spring front suspension along with a 4 link and coil spring rear set up. All looking good for this Poncho.
Drive-Ability
Our muscle car aficionado took the wheel and gave a 3 thumbs up to this car as to its drive-ability. It lit right up, idled smoothly, and took off like a bolt of lightning. He reported it handled well, came to a quick stop, and was comfortable to drive. This goat will "butt" in at any chance it gets, and no issues crept up during his drive.
This goat has had a good life, spending its time garaged, and used but then put away nicely. Good exterior paint retaining its shine but with a few flaws, a super engine, 4-barrel carb, a 2-speed Powerglide, and most importantly PHS documentation. We now have a whole different animal in our Hallowed Halls of Classic Auto Mall.
VIN DECODE
242176B112779
2-Pontiac
42-GTO
17-2 Door Hardtop Coupe
6-1966
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
112779-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
11D-4th Week November Build
ST 66 24217-1966 GTO Hardtop Coupe
BDY BAL2296-Baltimore Body #
TR 219-Blue Vinyl Buckets
PNT E1-Nightwatch Blue, Ivory Top