Super original car

1964 Pontiac GTO Base Description

Are you looking for an honest, intact, unmolested 1964 GTO? Are you tired of seeing GTOs that have been hacked and modified far beyond stock? This is a super clean, solid, unmolested 1964 GTO with tons of documentation in a rare and desirable color combination with nice factory options. It was assembled at the Fremont Plant in Californiato be sold by a dealerin Oregon (so it does not have a Closed Crankcase Ventilation air cleaner). It's been in the west ever since including the last 12 years in Arizona. I’ve owned 27 GTOs over 43 years so I know my way around these cars very well. I also write tech articles for “The Legend”, the magazine as a member of the GTO Association of America. This 1964 is nicely equipped from the factory with “V” code Grenadier Red exterior; 218 code medium red interior; the original, born with 389 engine (code 78XW) with 325 horsepower; 3.23:1 open rear end; four speed; reverb; spinner hubcaps; seat belt retractors, visor vanity mirror, dual manual outside rearview mirrors, and AM pushbutton radio. Along the way a reproduction factory tachometer was added. This car has the same heads, intake, carburetor, air cleaner, alternator, starter, fuel pump, etc. it was born with at the Fremont, CA assembly plant. It’s correct from the original wing nut on the air cleaner to the original shifter knob. Technically, the car is not a “survivor” since it was repainted and freshened up once, but it’s as close as you can get component wise. It has certainly survived as an intact original GTO over the last 50+ years, unlike most others. The wiring harness is not butchered and everything is basically the way it left the factory. The only “Day two” modifications are working air shocks (that’s how I received the car in 2005), great Radial T/As (225 70 14s on original 14 x 6 rims), and factory-style exhaust with Turbo mufflers that sound terrific.

The car comes with PHS documentation including the build sheet specifying options, the ORIGINAL production broadcast sheet noting it is a real GTO, and the original Protect-o-plate with the engine serial number proving that this is the born with engine. The production broadcast sheet says the car came from the factory with the N34 option wood steering wheel, but the red standard wheel is what came on the car when I got it. The patina of the wheel matches that of the rest of car so perfectly I believe it’s the original wheel. I suspect that when the owner took delivery, they may have switched wheels for a credit. I’ve seen evidence of that happening on one other 1964 GTO over the years. Everything on the car works except the windshield washers and those can be rebuilt. Even the heat riser on the passenger exhaust manifold works perfectly. Backup lights work (often broken or missing) as does the factory reverb.

Here’s are examples of the date code correctness of the car:

• Data plate says “CE” =this means the car was assembled the 5th week (fifth letter is E) of March (C is third letter and month), 1964 (there were 5 weeks in March that year)

• Build sheet specifies 31 March, 1964 manufacture date

• Block “C144” = 14 March, 1964

• Alternator “C164” = 16 March, 1964

• Differential cover “C24” = 2 March, 1964

• Carburetor (original 3647 Carter AFB) “B4” = February, 1964

• Intake manifold “C194” = 19 March, 1964

• Head (passenger side) “C124” = 12 March, 1964

• Starter “4C10” = 10 March, 1964

The original shifter even has the original shift knob (reproductions use the wrong font and molds). I have the complete history of the car including some background information written up by one of the original owners (see photos). I am the fourth owner in the chain of documentation. This is a western car with a great body. The bright work is super nice. There is minimal pitting on the pot metal hood scoops and tail light housings since this was a western car all of its life. The spinners are beautiful, not curbed. I rechromed the front bumper but the chrome on the rear is a little tired. There are a couple of small dings on the rear bumper that are easily fixed during straightening and rechroming. All the trim including grills and bezels shine very well, much better than many 64 GTOs I see for sale or at car shows. According to the original owner (see photo of testimonial on history of car), the car was never wrecked but had a few dings and dents along the way. The trunk floor was partially covered with fiberglass long ago to coversome rustholes so common in GM A bodies, but someone did a very good job even retaining the factory stamping contours and then spatter painting it (originally 64 GTO trunks were body-colored and the new owner can redo it if desired). There is no evidence of rust around the windshield or back glass.The car was repainted the correct color of Grenadier Red in a single stage paint long ago and garaged since. The paint is not perfect, but it is a gorgeous car that really captures attention due to its factory red on red livery. The paint shines and looks great for an older respray. As you can see from the photos, the paint just glows when in the sunlight. It looks good enough to have won two regional trophies: a Participant’s Choice Award at the Route 66 Rendezvous in 2005 and a Class Winner award at the Route 66 Days show in 2015, both very large shows in Flagstaff, AZ that attract entrants from Arizona, New Mexico, and California. It is posted at ultimategto[[dot]com as one of their Pictures of the Week. In 2006, it was rated as #1 in the top 10 viewer rated 1964 GTO photos on ultimategto dot com. It’s remained in the top 10 since then and is still there as of 12 November, 2016.

The seats and door panels are all original vinyl as delivered from the factory. There are some cracks in the outer upholstery of the driver’s seat but no rips or tears through the cloth backing. I was reluctant to replace the vinyl because an interior is only original once and that’s the way I left it. The headliner and carpeting were replaced before I got the car. I’ve owned the car since 2005 and really enjoyed owning and driving it for the last 12 years without problem. The only reason I’m reluctantly offering it for sale is to thin mycollection of GTOs. I’m not desperate to get rid of it. If you’ve read my articles in “The Legend” you know I’m a stickler for originality and rare GTOs. I have full documentation on this car and can answer any question you have about originality and 1964 GTOs.

The car runs great and I drive it regularly on nice days. I’ve had no issues with the drivetrain. The engine was rebuilt once long ago and doesn’t smoke or knock. It runs strong. The transmission, clutch and shifter work great. It shows 34,420 miles on the odometer and I suspect it’s been around once. I changed the timing gears and chain and had the radiator redone as routine maintenance in 2005. The original fuel pump and starter were also rebuilt. Oil is changed regularly with ZDDP additive to protect the cam lobes. I encourage prospective buyers to come look at it in person or have an automotive expert come check it out. Come to beautiful Flagstaff, Arizona, or even the upcoming Phoenix auctions, and drive it home. I am not looking for consignment or help selling. The car is sold as is, where is with no warranty expressed or implied. I can help load the car if shipping is desired. This is a cash and carry transaction that requires $1000 earnest moneywithin 48 hours ofclosing a deal and final payment in seven days. Bid to own. How many honest intact 1964 GTOs are left that are this well documented and original? How many are red on red four speeds that are this nicely optioned?