From our vantage point nearly 60 years in the future, the Pontiac GTO’s position in the automotive hierarchy is probably far more significant than it seemed in 1964. Sure, the GTO was a big success and introduced a whole new class of vehicles, but today the Goat borders on legend. Perhaps more than any other car of the period, the GTO has a story that everyone knows and a reputation on the street as a car that both walks softly AND carries a big stick. Pontiac got the formula exactly right and nobody else was quite able to capture the GTO’s mystique, despite dozens of imitators. Today, it’s still easy to own a legend, and that same respect follows these cars everywhere they go. And to be honest, these are really nice cars to drive and the styling holds up better than almost anything else of the period.

The first thing everyone asks about this stunning 1965 Pontiac GTO convertible is whether the deep turquoise paint is correct. It is indeed, as code K Reef Turquoise was on the 1965 GTO color chart. In person, the color is simply stunning, a vivid, brilliant blue/green that’s both and neither at the same time. It accentuates the convertible’s simple, straight lines, taking the understated GTO bodywork to an entirely different level and making it really stand out. There are always red and black GTOs running around, but when was the last time you saw one like this? Fortunately, it stands up under scrutiny, too, with straight sheetmetal and a fantastic gloss, all of which only comes from hours of tedious sanding. Cars don’t end up looking this good by accident. Following a deep clean and buff, it glows in the sunlight and there is no evidence of panel replacement or patches, so it’s unlikely that this car spent time in the snow belt. Nice chrome trim was restored at the same time as the paint, including both bumpers, although the fluted trim between the taillights (rumored to be the most expensive taillights ever created) is showing some age. Detailing is nicely done, too, including proper GTO emblems, T3 headlights, and the subtle hood scoop that isn’t functional but looks awesome.

The matching turquoise bucket seat interior is the right choice—Parchment or black would be the safe choices, but the turquoise seat covers look spectacular. Everything is recent, including seat covers, carpets, door panels, and the dash pad, which is black to match the dash and cut down on reflections. The wood-rimmed wheel adds some warmth and there’s a Hurst shifter with a cue ball knob for the 4-speed manual gearbox underneath. The dash offers a full complement of gauges, including a factory tach, and they all work properly. Other desirable options include power windows, a center console, and a power antenna, along with a modern digital AM/FM radio that blends in seamlessly. There’s a newer black power convertible top and new weather seals, so it closes up nicely, and black rubber Pontiac floor mats keep the carpets clean and tidy. The GTO is a big car, make no mistake, and that includes a large trunk that is correctly finished with spatter paint, a reproduction mat, and a full-sized spare with matching cover.

Pontiac’s 389 cubic inch V8 was the only powerplant available in the GTO, and when topped with Tri-Power carburetion, it makes a rather robust 360 horsepower. Rebuilt and tuned, this one starts easily and pulls the turquoise ragtop around with ease, and you’ll quickly understand why the GTO started a revolution. Wearing the distinctive small chrome air cleaners and matching valve covers, plus Pontiac Turquoise engine enamel, it has an OEM look under the hood. Other details like the tower hose clamps, correctly stamped coolant hoses, reproduction battery, and ssatin black inner panels make it an engine bay you’ll want to show off. The only non-stock components are the brake booster and dual master cylinder, a smart upgrade for safety’s sake and necessary for the 4-wheel disc brakes that were recently installed. Key it up and it barks to life easily and idles nicely, and with the carburetors set up properly it isn’t at all fussy. The middle carb does most of the work, but pushing through to open up the secondaries, the stout 389 really comes to life and you’ll be glad for the upgraded binders. It remains as fun to drive today as it was 55 years ago.

Rowing the Muncie M20 through the gears remains one of the reasons to own a car like this, and unlike the big Chevys, the Pontiac 389 likes to rev so it’s a blast to drive. Reasonable 3.23 gears in the 10-bolt rear end make it comfortable on the highway and the torquey engine doesn’t need a lot of gear to get it rolling from a stop. You’ll note that the floors are spotless, all the lines and hoses are new, long-tube headers feed a new dual exhaust system with X-pipe and stainless mufflers that sound spectacular. All new front end components help it track straight and ride right, and those new disc brakes really make a difference in today’s traffic (and even the E-brake works correctly, so this isn’t some cut-rate kit). Oversized sway bars front and rear tighten up the GTO’s handling and there are new shocks at all four corners. There’s also a new gas tank out back to eliminate fuel issues. Since the disc brakes are too big to fit inside the stock 14-inch wheels, 15-inch Torque Thrust wheels offer a 1960s look and a bit more aggressive stance, especially with those fat 235/60/15 BFG radials.

The tough thing about GTOs is verification, and unfortunately Pontiac Historical Services’ records are incomplete for the 1965 model year. We believe this to be a real-deal GTO, but since the GTO was simply a trim package on the Tempest, it is difficult to prove. However, it’s not priced like a real GTO and we encourage you to judge this car on quality rather than pedigree. If you like to drive, this convertible delivers in a very big way and that’s the whole reason for owning a car like this.

We love this car. The color combination jumps out, even in our showroom full of spectacular cars. The ’65 styling was a home-run, and the upgrades on this car only enhance everything that was already awesome about the GTO. The car is extremely road-worthy, drives great, pulls hard in any gear, and nobody’s going to worry about pedigrees when the sun is shining and the stout 389 is barking through that exhaust system. The guy driving this car is going to be too busy having fun to worry about numbers. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any car in our inventory prior to purchase.