REALDEAL SURVIVOR GOAT, COLLECTOR OWNED, 389 V8, 4-SPEED, BUILDSHEET, RARE FIND!

1966 Pontiac GTO Description

When was the last time you saw an unrestored 1966 Pontiac GTO like this? An incredible survivor that's in almost entirely original condition, it's a fantastic artifact for the dedicated Pontiac collector. Sure, it's got some bumps and bruises, but it runs great and cars are only original once, making this a very special find.That's factory-applied code Y Candlelight Cream paint on the bodywork, and while it wasn't a high-visibility color, it does give the GTO a very subtle look. Remember that Pontiac was aiming the GTO at upscale buyers, so the color makes sense and yellows probably weather the passage of time better than almost any other color. That's probably why this car continues to look so good. Is it perfect? Of course not, there are plenty of signs of age and use. On the other hand, it would be a crime to erase 50 years of history just to make this Goat look like all the others and with today's growing interest in original, unrestored cars, you'll probably find that this one attracts more attention than the freshly restored red one. The black vinyl top looks pretty darned good for its age, too, and shows no signs of problems underneath, which is pretty rare. It helps that it was born and raised in Georgia, and the original dealer's nameplate is still on the trunk. Nice chrome, a simple pinstripe, and the important GTO badges all make this car stand out in its own special way.The interior is equally remarkable, especially the back seat which appears to be wearing ancient plastic seat covers that probably date to the day it was sold. Buckets and a console are welcome sights and aside from some light fading on the carpet, it's all in excellent condition. It's got the standard gauge package, which is speed and fuel level, but the round dials look racy and the wood applique on the dash is holding up nicely, too. There's a Hurst shifter for the 4-speed manual gearbox and the original AM radio is still in the dash. The handsome two-spoke steering wheel is a lesson in getting it right without over-doing it and even the dash pad hasn't been totally ruined by time and the sun. Plastic mats protect the carpets, which, like the rear seat cover, probably explains why it's so nice. The trunk is solid, although the mat is gone, but it does have an ancient spare that seems oddly appropriate.We have every reason to believe that the WT-coded 389 cubic inch V8 living under the hood is this car's original powerplant. Yes, it's grungy and dirty, but remember that this wasn't a collector car back in 1967 and even in 1987 it was still just a used car. Nevertheless, it starts easily and runs great, with a nice bark from the new dual exhaust and there's plenty of power on tap, complements of the 4-barrel carburetor up top. The chrome air cleaner and valve covers seem to be immune to the passage of time and you can certainly tell that it has never been rusty or driven in winter weather. The 4-speed shifts cleanly and with a sturdy 10-bolt rear end, you can use this car as intended without worries. As I mentioned, the exhaust system is new, as is the gas tank and there's a fresh shock absorber at each corner, plus air bags in the rear springs. Like the engine bay, it's a little crusty underneath but no critical problems and again, it's only original once so leave it alone. Factory steel wheels with hubcaps and 205/75/14 whitewall radials give it that perfect '60s look.A neat car to find and probably a real popular display at any Pontiac show, this GTO has a lot to offer, including a reasonable price. Call today!