Photo: Mecum Auctions
The Pontiac GTO was introduced for the 1964 model year as a package on the Tempest-based LeMans model. The company wasn't expecting to sell more than 5,000 of its relatively expensive midsize but ended up delivering 32,450 units. Sales jumped to more than 75,000 examples in 1965, and a legend was born.
Widely regarded as the nameplate that popularized the muscle car segment, the Pontiac GTO is a highly desirable classic. It's not particularly rare, though, unless we're talking about certain drivetrain and options combos. Obviously, the first-year GTO is the rarest of the first-generation bunch.
The Marimba Red example you see here is not one of those two-digit gems that fetch big money at auctions, but it's still fairly rare, thanks to a few features. All that on top of the Marimba Red/Parchment color combo, which is downright spectacular following a rotisserie restoration.
But the main highlight of this Goat lurks under the hood in the form of a 389-cubic-inch (6.4-liter) Tri-Power V8. The optional unit delivered 348 horsepower when new, thanks to a trio of two-barrel Rochester 2G carburetors. The GTO came standard with a four-barrel version of the same unit, rated at 325 horses.
The latter was obviously the most common unit, finding its way into 24,205 GTOs that year. The Tri-Power option was installed in 8,245 cars, which is only 25% of the total production run. If we also factor in the hardtop body style, we're probably looking at fewer than 5,000 units made. The four-speed manual gearbox should lower that number even more, but I can't discuss precise figures in the absence of proper documentation.
The cabin reveals yet another surprise. I'm talking about the wood-rimmed steering wheel. It may seem like a mundane feature to have, but the wood sports steering wheel is quite a rare item in the 1964 GTO. Again, it's not the type of option that comes with a precise production number, but this steering wheel is so rare that it can cost more than $4,000 when in pristine condition. And used examples that need restoration don't usually go lower than $1,500.
This Goat also comes with a Saf-T-Track rear end with 3.23 gears, Hurst wheels wrapped in Redline tires, bucket seats, triple-plated chrome trim, and Soft Ray glass. Like any respectable Pontiac, it has PHS documents that should provide more detailed info about its rarity.
This gorgeous GTO, which won Concours Gold at the 2022 GTO Nationals, is about to go under the hammer at Mecum's Florida Summer Special. The event takes place on July 13, 2024. There's no pricing estimate for this lot, but 1964 Pontiac GTOs with Tri-Power in this condition can change hands for more than $80,000. How much do you think it's worth?
The Marimba Red example you see here is not one of those two-digit gems that fetch big money at auctions, but it's still fairly rare, thanks to a few features. All that on top of the Marimba Red/Parchment color combo, which is downright spectacular following a rotisserie restoration.
But the main highlight of this Goat lurks under the hood in the form of a 389-cubic-inch (6.4-liter) Tri-Power V8. The optional unit delivered 348 horsepower when new, thanks to a trio of two-barrel Rochester 2G carburetors. The GTO came standard with a four-barrel version of the same unit, rated at 325 horses.
The latter was obviously the most common unit, finding its way into 24,205 GTOs that year. The Tri-Power option was installed in 8,245 cars, which is only 25% of the total production run. If we also factor in the hardtop body style, we're probably looking at fewer than 5,000 units made. The four-speed manual gearbox should lower that number even more, but I can't discuss precise figures in the absence of proper documentation.
The cabin reveals yet another surprise. I'm talking about the wood-rimmed steering wheel. It may seem like a mundane feature to have, but the wood sports steering wheel is quite a rare item in the 1964 GTO. Again, it's not the type of option that comes with a precise production number, but this steering wheel is so rare that it can cost more than $4,000 when in pristine condition. And used examples that need restoration don't usually go lower than $1,500.
This Goat also comes with a Saf-T-Track rear end with 3.23 gears, Hurst wheels wrapped in Redline tires, bucket seats, triple-plated chrome trim, and Soft Ray glass. Like any respectable Pontiac, it has PHS documents that should provide more detailed info about its rarity.
This gorgeous GTO, which won Concours Gold at the 2022 GTO Nationals, is about to go under the hammer at Mecum's Florida Summer Special. The event takes place on July 13, 2024. There's no pricing estimate for this lot, but 1964 Pontiac GTOs with Tri-Power in this condition can change hands for more than $80,000. How much do you think it's worth?
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