Matching Numbers/389ci V8/Muncie 4-Speed Trans/Well Preserved Interior

1966 Pontiac GTO Convertible

In early 1963 a team of engineers and designers got together at Pontiac and decided to focus more on street racing and power. The Tempest had been in production for a bit, and a more “muscular” powerful car was needed. Hence the acronym GTO or Gran Turismo Omologato became the code for the secret new development that would take place. John DeLorean actually claims the GTO came from the Italian Gran Turismo Omologato or Grand Touring Homologated (certified) which in reality the car was never meant for grand touring, but to be the fastest straight line Pontiac produced.

For consignment, a 3 owner car with most of its time spent in the hands of our consigner who has it in his possession for 20 years. With a middle owner putting in 2 years, and the original owners 30 years, it is well documented, and well taken care of throughout its life, and it shows it. All numbers matching, all correct on the drivertrain, and the interior is 1966 showroom condition. A no rust car, turn the key and take a trip back to 1966.

Exterior
Stacked dual headlights, a split horizontal grille, a small “beak' in front, GTO badging, nice chrome bumper, scooped hood, straight steel side slabs all bathed in Martinique Bronze paint best describes the beginnings of this car. Carrying on, a black canvas convertible top, with no faults and a clear plastic rear window, and moving up and down flawlessly covers the passengers…or not. Bringing up the rear are the horizontal ribbed bezeled taillights in the flared at the edges rear vertical deck, just below the trunk lid covering a NYC 2 bedroom apartment sized trunk. Another pristine chromed bumper below, and on all 4 corners 14-inch rally wheels with deep dish trim right wrapped in new rubber. Overall a few spots, scratches and the usual wear for the paint, but it remains beautiful.

Interior
Inside Black Strato bucket seats in vinyl are installed. These have tuck and roll inserts and smooth bolsters, and chrome piping as a border. The rear bench stretches across the back of the car and offers up plenty of pristine seating for 3 adults. A center console in simplistic 1960s styling sneaks by a tall Hurst shifter with a wood knob topper. The dash front is covered with a large wood appliqué panel which houses the rally gauge pack, and various knobs below. An original faux wood rimmed plastic steering wheel with a trio of spokes fronts the dash. 2 large speakers are in the rear passenger floors, and upfront clean black carpet floods the remainder of the floors. Door panels are nicely preserved and show more tuck and roll black with smooth surrounds, and clean shiny handles and cranks for the windows.

Drivetrain
Under the hood is a fully restored, numbers matching, painted in a beautiful metallic blue, engine block showing up at 389 cubes. A WT stamping code indicates this is a correct 4bbl 335hp 389ci V8, 093 casting heads are correct, and a Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission on back. Way back is a 10-bolt 3.55 Safe-T-Trac rear axle. Chromed valve covers and a chromed air cleaner holder as well as supple hoses and no corrosion offer more highlights to this engine bay.

Undercarriage
Some surface rust on suspension parts, but very structurally sound with no invasive rust, solid framing, good rockers and floorpans and just a bit of bottom end blowback seen around the back of the engine. Independent coil springs for the front with power drum brakes and 4 link with coil springs for the rear with more power drums are on this car. Seen also is a glass pack style mufflers and dual exhaust.

Drive-Ability
A wonderful experience as described by our decoder and test driver. She handles great, accelerates like a 335hp car should, and has strong brakes. Interior is fully functional, and all buttoned up are the seating and surfaces.

A 3 owner car, two of them long term owners, all of them taking great care in the maintenance department for this car. All is looking just fine for the exterior, interior, and drivetrain which is very special under that long hood. A great design year as Pontiac was just coming into its own on the muscle car front.

VIN DECODE
2426768139690
2-Pontiac
42-GTO
67-2 Door Convertible
6-1966
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
139690-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
06B-2nd Week June
ST 66 24267-1966 GTO Convertible
BDY Bal4173-Baltimore Body #
TR 723-Black Strato Buckets
PNT T2-Martinique Bronze, Black Top