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Pontiac GTO 389 cubic inch V8, Tri-Power 1966

General description : Few legends are bigger than that of the Pontiac GTO. Almost universally loved and admired, they are the archetype of the muscle car. There’s some debate over whether it was really the first “muscle car” but there’s exactly zero debate that it was the most influential. The winning formula? Plenty of power, style, and comfort in equal measure, creating a car that was not only entertaining to drive, but easy to live with. You can pick your favorite year, as Pontiac designers and engineers were great at updating the Goat each season, but regardless of which one you prefer, you’ll get a car that lives up to its billing.

Which brings us to this 1966 GTO convertible, which is an extraordinary car by any measure. It’s hard to even know where to start with a car like this, so here are the vitals: numbers-matching Tri-Power 389, fully documented, special-order color, factory A/C, and a former GTO Association of America Concours Gold Award winner. “Investment grade” doesn’t even begin to cover this one, and if you’re one of those guys who needs all those boxes checked before you’ll make a move, well, if this car doesn’t do it for you, you should probably collect stamps instead.

The first thing everyone asks is about the color, which is indicated on the trim tag as “1.” If you’re a Pontiac GTO enthusiast, you know that Pontiac was using letters, not numbers, to designate colors, so we’re at a loss to explain what color it identifies. The PHS paperwork also suggests that this was a special-order car with custom paint in an unknown color. There’s no indication on the car that it was ever anything but red, and it’s worth noting that today it’s not quite Montero Red, which was the go-to color if you wanted a bright red GTO. At any rate, it’s unique but not in a bad way, because a bright red GTO will always be in demand. Finish quality, as you might expect, is exemplary and we can find no evidence of wholesale panel replacement or patching. Those long quarters are arrow-straight, the doors fit well, and gaps are at least as good as new throughout. The deck lid on these cars is especially problematic, but this one fits like it should, the shiny stainless trim lining up neatly from fender to trunk to fender. There’s a deep reflection in the shiny two-stage urethane paint, and while it shows a few signs of use and age (the car was completed in 2009), it’s still gorgeous today. All the chrome and stainless trim was restored at the same time and it proudly wears GTO emblems that mark this as the pinnacle of Pontiac performance in the mid-60s. Even the headlights are correct T-3 units (all four of them) which are probably worth a sizeable chunk of change all by themselves. Obviously, this was not a cut-rate restoration.

Black bucket seats are correct and match the trim tag, and everything you can see or touch inside this GTO is new. Fresh seat covers use the correct horizontal pleats, there are new carpets on the floors, and the door panels proudly wear the same GTO badges that you’ll find on the front fenders. This car was ordered new with a lot of comfort and convenience options, so bear with me as I list them here:

Air conditioning
Console
Tilt steering column
AM/FM radio
Power antenna
Power top
Tinted glass
Rally gauges with tachometer
Custom sport steering wheel
Floor mats
Seat belts

It also comes with just about every courtesy light you could order and they all work! GTO experts will note that if you wanted A/C, the only way it came was paired with a PowerGlide automatic transmission, and that’s what’s in the car today. The A/C works, the power antenna glides up and down, and the black convertible top is brand new, so it stows effortlessly with the touch of a button. There is a matching black boot, but we didn’t install it for the photos because the clips used on these boots have a tendency to damage the paint around top and we didn’t want to take a chance. The woodgrained steering wheel is beautifully refinished and the Rally gauges show bright, crisp markings behind clear lenses and we have every reason to believe that the 61,676 miles showing on the odometer are a correct reading. The original AM/FM radio works and the center console is in excellent condition with none of the pitting that you often find on the finned areas. Correct Pontiac floor mats are also included. The trunk is beautifully finished with proper spatter paint, a reproduction mat set, and a matching spare tire with cover and jack assembly.

While many GTOs have Tri-Power added after the fact (not that there’s anything wrong with that), this one came with three Holley 2-barrel carburetors from the factory. It’s an unusual combination with the A/C and automatic transmission, allowing this car to neatly straddle the sport and luxury sides of the equation. The original YR-coded 389 cubic inch V8 is fully rebuilt to stock specs and detailed for show with Pontiac Turquoise paint on the block, proper round air cleaners on the carbs, and correct fasteners, decals, and clamps used throughout. You’ll note there’s an operational engine compartment courtesy light, which is something we’ve never seen before, and it is equipped with both power steering and heavy-duty power brakes. The only notable flaws we note are an incorrect hose for the A/C and an aftermarket battery, both of which could be easily remedied and return this car to show-worthy condition. Turn the key and it fires easily thanks to an electric fuel pump tucked underneath and out of sight, and even with Tri-Power, there’s exactly zero fussiness. Smooth idle, no stalling, and ready to rock within a few seconds of starting. This is a car that’s been done right.

As I mentioned, the transmission is a 2-speed PowerGlide automatic, which was your only choice with A/C, so some of you will whine and moan that it doesn’t have a 4-speed and that’s OK. This car isn’t for you. However, nobody will be able to complain about the condition of the underside, which has beautiful satin black floors with no obvious patching or repairs, a correct reproduction dual exhaust system with optional tailpipe extensions, rebuilt brakes and shocks, and a lot of new hardware throughout. There are proper spiral shocks (this car has the optional Ride & Handling suspension), a new gas tank. Fresh lines and hoses, and details like the tags on the various suspension components have been carefully reproduced. 3.23 gears on a Saf-T-Track limited slip differential live in the original 10-bolt housing out back, making this car a comfortable cruiser that’s ideal for road trips. Original Rally wheels look great with shiny trim rings and are fitted with correct 7.75-14 US Royal redline tires, but we might swap them out for some radials if we were planning to really drive the car.

Documentation is extensive, including full PHS paperwork that not only proves it’s a GTO with a 389 Tri-Power engine and factory A/C, but also a note about the custom paint. It’s legit. It also includes judging sheets from the GTO Association of America proving that it has earned Concours Gold status, a reproduction window sticker (showing a whopping $1550.86 worth of options on a $3059 car!), and a factory service manual.

We understand that GTOs are important cars, and that’s why this car gets so much attention. It’s just right. Beautiful restoration, worthy car, fantastic paperwork, and just plain fun to own and drive. GTOs just don’t get much better than this. Call today!

http://www.harwoodmotors.com/vehicles/inventory_details.php?id=746

1966 Pontiac GTO 389 cubic inch V8, Tri-Power is listed sold on ClassicDigest in Macedonia by for $79900.

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