389ci V8/Tri Power/4-Speed Manual/PHS Documentation

1965 Pontiac GTO Coupe

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 Grand Tempest Option 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, an original engine muscle car with a WT block, a non-original tri power intake, stacked front headlights, the unique Pontiac “beak” up front on the split grille and bathed in nicely applied and carefully finished Burgundy. Inside a Hurst shifter and like new black interior. All finished off with Pontiac Rally 1 wheel's…time to get your classic “Goat” groove on. To top it all off the original intake, carburetor, and transmission main case are included with the purchase.

Exterior
Stacked dual headlights, a split horizontal grille, a small “beak” in front, GTO badging, nice chrome bumper, scooped hood, straight steel side slabs taken down to bare metal, then all bathed in Burgundy paint best describes the beginnings of this car. Carrying on, nice trimmings for the glass and a pristine metal roofline. Side slabs are near perfect and sport well minded gaps. Bringing up the rear are the horizontal ribbed bezel taillights in the flared at the edges rear vertical deck. Just below the trunk lid covering is a NYC 2-bedroom apartment sized trunk. Another pristine chromed bumper below, and on all 4 corners 15-inch Pontiac Rally 1 wheels with deep dish trim wrapped in red line rubber. Overall slight scratches and the usual wear for the paint, but it remains beautiful, and presenting very nicely.

Interior
Inside black Strato bucket seats in vinyl are installed. These have tuck and roll inserts with angled black inserts which are embossed in and have the Pontiac arrowhead logo embossed in the centers of the backs of all seats. Smooth bolsters and black piping as a border with some chromed side trimmings for the hinges. The rear bench stretches across the back of the car and offers up plenty of pristine seating for 3 adults. A tall Hurst shifter with a white knob topper reaches for the driver's hand and sits within the center hump...no console. The dash front is original wood appliqué background and has an aftermarket tachometer now inserted to the right of the trio of optional gauges. An original black plastic with half round horn ring in the center fronts this dash. Black carpeting is the floor covering and is very clean. Also hanging below the dash are more gauges for the monitoring of the healthy mill.

Drivetrain
Under the hood is a fully restored, painted in a beautiful metallic turquoise engine block showing up at 389 cubes, and is circa 1965/1966 (WT stamping). It is rated at 335hp and on top is a tri power 6-pack setup for the carbs. Chrome valve covers flank the trio of round air cleaners atop and deep black supple wiring is fab for the engine. A Muncie 4-speed manual transmission is now on back, with a 10-bolt rear.
Undercarriage
No surface rust on suspension parts or anywhere, very structurally sound with no invasive rust, solid framing, good rockers and new floor pans as well as a trunk pan and fuel tank. Independent coil springs for the front with power drum brakes, and a 4 link with coil springs for the rear with power drums are on this car. Seen also is a stock clean 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 bias free brakes on the panic stop. Interior is fully functional, and all buttoned up the seating and surfaces. New aftermarket gauges are a plus for sure! Plenty of get up and go.

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. All boxes are checked in this classic, just turn the key and point the beak nose front end towards home.