Few cars are as iconic as the Pontiac GTO.  The original midsize muscle car with power, class and an Italian accent captured the imagination of the public and a righteous amount of sales.  Not all are created equal, however, and we’re sure you’ll agree this is about how you would have ordered yours new-Reef Turquoise, the Tri-power 389, a four speed manual and a host of options.  Not many cars built in 1966 had this much presence or style, and fewer still were this attractive or award winning.

Let’s start with the PHS documentation and the factory options:

24217 GTO 2 door hardtop

K Reef Turquoise Exterior

223 Black Bucket Seat Interior

2 Black Vinyl Top

WT 389 4bbl

M21 Close Ratio 4 Speed

343 Push Button Radio w/Electric Rear Mounted Antenna

382 Door Edge Guards

431 Custom Seat Belts

472 Console

484 Metallic Brake Linings (rare!)

514 H.D. Fan & Clutch

521 Traffic Hazard Warning Flasher

524 Woodgrain Shift Knob

532 Tinted Glass Windshield only

731 Safe-T-Track Rear Axle 3.23:1 Ratio

74P 3.90 axle ratio

CC 7.75x14 Red Line Tires

Few other than the hardcore purists will see swapping the black vinyl pieces for ivory as an issue, and there are a few other upgrades on this car which merit attention.  First, power steering and brakes make life a lot easier.  Next, the interior looks a lot better with the new reproduction woodgrain steering wheel and shift knob.  Finally, while the motor is the original the Tri-Power setup was added.  The ride and handling package augments the factory and scarcely seen metallic brakes.  Even the spare tire cover, a mostly forgotten option, dresses up the trunk.

Outside you’ll find all new or restored chrome and stainless trim on smooth panels.  Getting a car this straight isn’t easy, and requires a clean starting point.  Not as sinister as black and not as ubiquitous as red Reef Turquoise is a perfect example of a mid 60’s color before the psychedelic era took over, and on the more formal flanks looks outstanding.  There’s a clean grille up front, new emblems and a new mirror, spotless bumpers and stellar stainless working with the new top and excellent glass for its show winning look.  The plain steel wheels with dog dish hubcaps on an otherwise well-dressed car usually meant the car was destined for aftermarket wheels on delivery day, and you’d have to admit a set of Hurst mags would look amazing.  If we had a couple “day two” pictures of the car we’re petty sure that’s what it wore, too!

Show trophies are nice, but show trophies against competition are what separates nice cars from the best.  After completion approximately five years ago this tiger hit the field hard.  It took best in class at the Pontiac Nationals in Sturbridge, MA, first, owner’s choice and best of show at the east coast regional GTO meet against 150 entries, scored 99 out of 10 points at the capitol district show in Albany, NY, took best of show against 450 cars at the big show in Rutland, VT and more.  The current condition is exactly as it was at show time"this is a massive trophy collector.

Under the hood you’ll find the original WT code 389 dressed as close to a factory Tri-Power as possible.  The trio of carbs on top, 7025178, 75 and 79 are the correct and correctly tagged units, and the intake manifold is the proper piece in place of the original 4bbl unit.  New Packard date coded wires carry the spark while air enters through the correct foam filter elements.  Even the added-on power steering and brakes look like Pontiac put them there.

Inside you’re greeted by wall-to-wall beautiful upholstery.  New Expanded Morrokide seat covers work with rebuilt foams for comfort; new door panels, armrests, bases, door handles and correct chrome knob window cranks are at your side.  New carpet is below you with new sill plates holding it in place while a new headliner above completes the fresh stuff.  The original dash is in excellent shape, the woodgrain shift knob begs you to row the gears and the sports wheel should have been standard.  It’s nearly impossible to show this car without wanting to drive it, too!

Underneath you’ll see matte black floors and the semigloss frame-the product of a frame off restoration.  New bushings, mounts, springs, shocks and brakes are in place and detailed correctly.  New Firestone 7.75x14 redlines surround the correct wheels with correct center caps.  The motor and transmission work as they should, and the added Flowmaster mufflers add the right muscle soundtrack to this quintessential muscle car.

Head turning, show winning, upgraded sensibly and correctly this is a tiger which can’t be tamed!

Few cars are as iconic as the Pontiac GTO.  The original midsize muscle car with power, class and an Italian accent captured the imagination of the public and a righteous amount of sales.  Not all are created equal, however, and we’re sure you’ll agree this is about how you would have ordered yours new-Reef Turquoise, the Tri-power 389, a four speed manual and a host of options.  Not many cars built in 1966 had this much presence or style, and fewer still were this attractive or award winning.

Let’s start with the PHS documentation and the factory options:

24217 GTO 2 door hardtop

K Reef Turquoise Exterior

223 Black Bucket Seat Interior

2 Black Vinyl Top

WT 389 4bbl

M21 Close Ratio 4 Speed

343 Push Button Radio w/Electric Rear Mounted Antenna

382 Door Edge Guards

431 Custom Seat Belts

472 Console

484 Metallic Brake Linings (rare!)

514 H.D. Fan & Clutch

521 Traffic Hazard Warning Flasher

524 Woodgrain Shift Knob

532 Tinted Glass Windshield only

731 Safe-T-Track Rear Axle 3.23:1 Ratio

74P 3.90 axle ratio

CC 7.75x14 Red Line Tires

Few other than the hardcore purists will see swapping the black vinyl pieces for ivory as an issue, and there are a few other upgrades on this car which merit attention.  First, power steering and brakes make life a lot easier.  Next, the interior looks a lot better with the new reproduction woodgrain steering wheel and shift knob.  Finally, while the motor is the original the Tri-Power setup was added.  The ride and handling package augments the factory and scarcely seen metallic brakes.  Even the spare tire cover, a mostly forgotten option, dresses up the trunk.

Outside you’ll find all new or restored chrome and stainless trim on smooth panels.  Getting a car this straight isn’t easy, and requires a clean starting point.  Not as sinister as black and not as ubiquitous as red Reef Turquoise is a perfect example of a mid 60’s color before the psychedelic era took over, and on the more formal flanks looks outstanding.  There’s a clean grille up front, new emblems and a new mirror, spotless bumpers and stellar stainless working with the new top and excellent glass for its show winning look.  The plain steel wheels with dog dish hubcaps on an otherwise well-dressed car usually meant the car was destined for aftermarket wheels on delivery day, and you’d have to admit a set of Hurst mags would look amazing.  If we had a couple “day two” pictures of the car we’re petty sure that’s what it wore, too!

Show trophies are nice, but show trophies against competition are what separates nice cars from the best.  After completion approximately five years ago this tiger hit the field hard.  It took best in class at the Pontiac Nationals in Sturbridge, MA, first, owner’s choice and best of show at the east coast regional GTO meet against 150 entries, scored 99 out of 10 points at the capitol district show in Albany, NY, took best of show against 450 cars at the big show in Rutland, VT and more.  The current condition is exactly as it was at show time"this is a massive trophy collector.

Under the hood you’ll find the original WT code 389 dressed as close to a factory Tri-Power as possible.  The trio of carbs on top, 7025178, 75 and 79 are the correct and correctly tagged units, and the intake manifold is the proper piece in place of the original 4bbl unit.  New Packard date coded wires carry the spark while air enters through the correct foam filter elements.  Even the added-on power steering and brakes look like Pontiac put them there.

Inside you’re greeted by wall-to-wall beautiful upholstery.  New Expanded Morrokide seat covers work with rebuilt foams for comfort; new door panels, armrests, bases, door handles and correct chrome knob window cranks are at your side.  New carpet is below you with new sill plates holding it in place while a new headliner above completes the fresh stuff.  The original dash is in excellent shape, the woodgrain shift knob begs you to row the gears and the sports wheel should have been standard.  It’s nearly impossible to show this car without wanting to drive it, too!

Underneath you’ll see matte black floors and the semigloss frame-the product of a frame off restoration.  New bushings, mounts, springs, shocks and brakes are in place and detailed correctly.  New Firestone 7.75x14 redlines surround the correct wheels with correct center caps.  The motor and transmission work as they should, and the added Flowmaster mufflers add the right muscle soundtrack to this quintessential muscle car.

Head turning, show winning, upgraded sensibly and correctly this is a tiger which can’t be tamed!