Photo: antspada48/eBay
Introduced for the 1964 model year, the Pontiac GTO got a significant makeover in 1965. The refresh saw the introduction of stacked dual headlamps and a slightly more aggressive front fascia. While this styling is usually the most popular with the GTO crowd, the first-year version remains my favorite. Yeah, it may look a bit bland, but it makes for a nice sleeper with the range-topping Tri-Power V8. Which is exactly what you're looking at.
Hailing from Hewitt, New Jersey, this 1964 GTO is one of those classics that had it all. Even though I can't call it a survivor due to the repaint it got in the early 2000s, this Poncho has a long list of feats to brag about. For starters, it's been in the same family since new. It was pampered its entire life and driven for 74,000 miles (119,091 km), which isn't a lot for a vehicle that's six decades old as of 2024.
More importantly, this GTO still relies on the V8 engine it got from the factory. And while the standard four-barrel 389-cubic-inch (6.4-liter) V8 was nothing to sneeze at with 325 horsepower on tap, this GTO was ordered with the optional Tri-Power mill. The 3x2-barrel carburetor setup increased output to 348 horses. And torque was just as impressive at 428 pound-feet (580 Nm).
But the 1964 Tri-Power is not just about extra oomph. It's also a somewhat scarce powerplant because only about a quarter of the GTOs ordered that year got the optional treatment. Specifically, Pontiac sold 8,245 Tri-Power rigs in 1964. And if that's not rare enough for you, this GTO packs the 77J-code automatic transmission. It was the least popular gearbox on the Tri-Power and found its way in just 693 units.
Both the engine and the transmission are numbers-matching, and the GTO retains its original body panels and floorboards. The owner still has the original wheels and hubcaps, which are included with the car.
While the Yorktown Blue exterior was redone more than 20 years ago, the paint is nearly perfect and still shines. It's safe to assume this Poncho spent its recent years in a garage. The ad doesn't mention the interior having been reupholstered, which is downright spectacular given the condition of the seats, door panels, and dashboard. Sure, it's not perfect, but it's in fabulous condition, given that it's 60 years old.
There's no info on how the GTO runs and drives, but the engine is squeaky clean, which indicates proper maintenance and likely smooth operation. It's the kind of classic that will draw crowds at cars and coffee events.
If it's something you'd like to park in your driveway, you'll have to bid more than $25,300 (as of this writing) and hope that the reserve isn't set too high. How much do you think this Pontiac is worth?
More importantly, this GTO still relies on the V8 engine it got from the factory. And while the standard four-barrel 389-cubic-inch (6.4-liter) V8 was nothing to sneeze at with 325 horsepower on tap, this GTO was ordered with the optional Tri-Power mill. The 3x2-barrel carburetor setup increased output to 348 horses. And torque was just as impressive at 428 pound-feet (580 Nm).
But the 1964 Tri-Power is not just about extra oomph. It's also a somewhat scarce powerplant because only about a quarter of the GTOs ordered that year got the optional treatment. Specifically, Pontiac sold 8,245 Tri-Power rigs in 1964. And if that's not rare enough for you, this GTO packs the 77J-code automatic transmission. It was the least popular gearbox on the Tri-Power and found its way in just 693 units.
Both the engine and the transmission are numbers-matching, and the GTO retains its original body panels and floorboards. The owner still has the original wheels and hubcaps, which are included with the car.
While the Yorktown Blue exterior was redone more than 20 years ago, the paint is nearly perfect and still shines. It's safe to assume this Poncho spent its recent years in a garage. The ad doesn't mention the interior having been reupholstered, which is downright spectacular given the condition of the seats, door panels, and dashboard. Sure, it's not perfect, but it's in fabulous condition, given that it's 60 years old.
There's no info on how the GTO runs and drives, but the engine is squeaky clean, which indicates proper maintenance and likely smooth operation. It's the kind of classic that will draw crowds at cars and coffee events.
If it's something you'd like to park in your driveway, you'll have to bid more than $25,300 (as of this writing) and hope that the reserve isn't set too high. How much do you think this Pontiac is worth?
Google News