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- As with the VIN, the cowl tag does not
verify GTO status until 1966 when the Style
Line adopted the same 242 prefix as the
VIN. That said, in some cases, secondary
cowl tag codes can signal GTO-only details.
Here, the hastily scribbled grease-pencil
markings—which were often scribbled by
inebriated workers toiling in mind-numbing
obscurity—read “vinyl” and “N13.” - VIN and cowl tags be damned, this time
a worn die-cast emblem speaks to us and is
all we need to accept this example as a true
GTO. It’s placed just right and clearly hasn’t
been messed with since 1965.
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- The VIN plate and cowl tag of this four-
speed pillar coupe (dig the clutch pedal
and floor-shift hump) were missing, so
we couldn’t verify the year. Inside, the
ghost of the triangular GTO emblem
above the glovebox suggests it’s a 1964
model, making it one of the 7,384 Sports
Coupe GTOs built. Our research says 1965
used a rectangular-shaped emblem in
this location. The twin circles punched
into the ends of the dash panel once
held A/C vents. Non-A/C GTOs lack these
large holes. - Just down the row from its hardtop
cousin, we spotted this pillar coupe
(Pontiac called it a Sports Coupe). The
least popular model (according to sales
totals), the bright-metal trim covers a rigid
B-pillar. Likewise, the doors (not shown)
have full window frames. These features
reduce the open-air feeling and outward
visibility compared to the pillar-less
hardtop.
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- This under-construction image from
the Motor Trend Archives depicts the
Dickinson, TX–based Gay Pontiac altered-
wheelbase GTO match-bash racer of 1966.
Note how the wheelbase-relocation work
took place on the body (stretched wheel
openings) and on the framerail (axle
and mounting points moved forward 10
inches). With a supercharged 421 Super
Duty on nitro, this machine ran 9s at
150+ mph. Either one of the GTO hulks
here would make a great starting point!
GROOVY FACTOIDS
- In 1965, Pontiac GTO sales materi-
als read “Have new tigers. Need
tamer. Apply at any Pontiac dealer.”
Truth be told, GTO engines were
pretty mild compared to Pontiac’s
aborted 1963 Super Duty program.
If GM hadn’t ordered its divisions to
quit blatant race engineering and
competition in March 1963, it is
likely real animals, like 421 SD GTOs
with aluminum fenders might have
become reality. But Pontiac did the
best it could under the existing gov-
ernment anti-trust scrutiny, selling
more sizzle than steak.- The 1965 GTO continued the dual-
exhaust system that helped make the
1964 GTO a success, but the “cold-
side” muffler (right hand, as seen
from driver seat) was upgraded with
stainless-steel heads and shell. The
aluminized steel shell and heads used
in 1964 were more prone to corrosion
from acidic exhaust gases on the
right-hand tract. The left-hand tract
ran hotter, thanks to how the GTO’s
exhaust cross-over system put more
heat into the spent gases exiting
from the driver-side tailpipe and tract.
The hotter gases canceled much of
the acidic corrosion.
- The 1965 GTO continued the dual-
- The clutch pedal
and floor hump
make this one a
stick-shifted fun
machine. The GTO’s
automatic offering
for 1965 was based
on Buick’s two-
speed Super Turbine
300—no fun. But
just because we
see a floor shift and
clutch pedal doesn’t
guarantee a Muncie
four-speed once
lived beneath the
tunnel.
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- This intriguing paint-stamped firewall
message reads, “line test ok second shift.”
We don’t know the specific meaning, but
have never seen it on another GTO. It could
be a paint-quality audit or something to do
with the speed setting of the assembly-line
trolleys from one work station to the next.
Before blindly copying markings like this to
other GTO restorations, it’d be wise to contact
an outfit like Jim Mattison’s Pontiac Historical
Services for clarification.
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Better yet, the GTOs on display
exemplify two of the three available
body types offered in 1965. One is a
hardtop coupe, as were 55,722 of the
75,352-car total. The other is a pillared
sport coupe, just one of 8,319 made.
The only body configuration missing
was an open-roof convertible, of which
11,311 were built, but nobody seems to
throw away. Let’s wander through the
auto ranch and snoop out some Goats!
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