1965 Pontiac GTO Hardtop

The Pontiac GTO was introduced to America in September 1963.  And with that, Pontiac had taken its heroic racing battle off the track and brought it to the street where it would once again do battle against archrivals Ford, Mopar, and even Chevrolet. The ultimate muscle car superhero was born.

For consignment, a restored in 2005, Burgundy version of the second-year goat in the form of a 1965 Pontiac GTO hardtop.   With its original engine in 389ci V8 form, albeit now with Tri-power and Ram Air induction, PHS documentation, dual stacked headlights and Pontiac “beak” this grocery getter looker is a hidden cooker.  Nice chrome trimmings throughout highlight the Burgundy and some snappy red line tires complete the “muscle car" look.

Exterior
Correct Burgundy, which is the diving board deep end of the pool, bathes straight well minded gapped steel panels throughout.  A few notable inclusions, slight areas of cracked bodywork on the passenger's lower rear quarter and a few chips do not detract from the overall good looks before us.  A “whale nostril” styled hood scoop with functional Ram Air frames the top of the “beaked” grille flanked on either side by stacked headlights and in the center the Pontiac arrowhead in chrome.  Some shiny stainless rocker trimmings are noted as are gleaming window surrounds and badges, handles and mirrors.  A long trunk lid leads us to the rear of this classic and here we see horizontal ribbed wrap-around tail lighting with a Pontiac center badged ribbed aluminum panel. 14-inch Pontiac Rally I wheels are wrapped by like new red line 7.75-14 rubber.

Interior
Just beautifully preserved inside with all the trappings of mid 1960s Parchment vinyl design.  This includes door panels which have a concentric square pattern with black carpeting below and a white painted sill above.  Nice GTO badging is attached, and shiny actuators and window cranks are seen with a Parchment vinyl covered and chromed armrest.  The seats are awaiting your arrival and looking great while doing so.  These are low back wide buckets, which have angled tuck and roll Parchment vinyl inserts and smooth bolsters and an embossed arrowhead in the middle of each seat back.  A bit of chromed trimming has been added to each side at the back corners of these chairs.  In back, a corresponding bench stretches across and affords plenty of roomy comfort for the extra passengers.  Up front a clean original dash with an angled wood grained instrument cluster containing some gauges, a speedo and a tachometer from the factory.  Above is a padded dash top which creates an “awning” to shade the wood grained instrument cluster.  Just below is more horizontal ribbed chrome with knobs and pulls and a modern AM/FM radio.  A beautifully shiny 3 spoke wood rimmed steering wheel is fronting this original dash.  Racing up through the center of the buckets is a nice ribbed console which houses a Hurst white knobbed shifter and engine vacuum gauge.  A lockable storage compartment is in the back portion of this console.  Nice black carpeting is on all the floors, protected by black rubber Ponitac mats, and above is a tight headliner in crisp blinding white vinyl.  A shout to the trunk which is fully restored, painted with trunk liner paint and has a small vinyl mat covering the floor.

Drivetrain
In 1965 engines were not vin stamped, but with the codings we can glean off this clean and restored engine, it points to being a correct engine for this car.  It is a 389ci V8 and with a 9778789 casting number, making it a 1965-66 389ci V8.  Also, the stamped serial number is WT which is a 1965 389ci V8 4bbl 335hp mill.  A few embellishments were added to the heart of this goat in the form of a new oil pump, rebuilt Tri-Power carburetor set up and electric choke with individual chrome air cleaners and functional Ram Air.  On back is a circa 1969 Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission which joins up with a 10-bolt 3.23 Safe-T-Track rear axle.  This is all sitting peacefully within a fully restored engine bay, near pristine blue block, intake manifold, chromed valve covers, and all supple hoses and wiring. 

Undercarriage
Just beautifully buttoned up, clean black floor pans, framing and rockers all show with only very minor surface rust on the usual suspects.  A newer gas tank, new fuel pump, and shiny dual Flowmaster exhaust is peppering all this clean black metal.  Power drum brakes are on all 4 corners and are attached to an independent coil spring front suspension and 4 link with coil spring set up in the rear.

Drive-Ability
She fired right up and was off in a flash to the test track.  Here it did nicely and has smooth acceleration, easy shifting, and even good handling despite those thin rubbers all around.  All functions were operating as they should at the time of my drive, however, I did note a slight pull to the left while driving. 

A nicely restored inside and outside 65 Goat.  Great mechanicals and overall a very nice example in the right color for this car.  Backing it all up with the original engine,  PHS documents, and an added Ram Air and Tri-Power setup you'd be hard pressed to find a nicer example at this price point.  It's time to tame the tiger with this powerful and well done GTO!

237375P364579

2-Pontiac
37-Lemans
37-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
5-1965
P-Pontiac, MI Assy Plant
364579-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG

08A-1st Week August
ST 65 23737-1965 Lemans 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
BDY PON52104-Pontiac Body #
TR 218B-Parchment Vinyl Buckets
PNT NN-Burgundy
E-Tinted Glass, All
2L-4 Speed Manual
 P-Radio
5N-GTO Option

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.