1965 Pontiac GTO Two-Door
Tri-Power: Every Pontiaddict fixated on the division’s late-1950s to mid-’60s models dreamt of having it. This 1965 Pontiac GTO Two-Door Hardtop not only has it, but according to its Pontiac Historic Services (PHS) paperwork, it’s been so-equipped since day one.
The seller bought this GTO in 2016 and says it features a “13-year-old body-off restoration that’s still in excellent driver condition.” He adds, “I haven’t used it in the past two years, and it has some minor needs, but it starts, runs extremely strong, and it rides smooth and supple. It was originally a Texas car, and I have the full ownership history.”
POWERTRAIN
The 360-horsepower, 389-cu.in. Tri-Power OHV V8 was rebuilt to stock specifications during the restoration, and there are photos to document that process. It’s been upgraded with a Ram Air system and aftermarket dual exhausts, mufflers, and splitters. Though it has not been confirmed, the seller believes the V8 to be original to the car, and it does feature the correct “WS” engine code (see photo). He’s had a new water pump installed and had the fuel-tank sending unit and filler-neck seal replaced.
He says, “It starts right up after priming, has a smooth idle and no smoke, but like many Pontiacs of its era, the rear main seal weeps oil.” The seller had the clutch replaced, the Muncie M20 wide-ratio four-speed manual transmission checked out, and new bushings installed in the Hurst shifter, which now navigates the gears with “no issues.” Per the enclosed PHS documents, the rear axle features 3.55:1 gears, and he notes that despite the presence of the limited-slip lubricant tag on the differential, it is not a Safe-T-Track unit.
EXTERIOR
“Exceptional driver quality,” is how he describes the 13-year-old Burgundy (code N) repaint. “No rust,” is present, but there are a “few small chips and scratches.” The Soft-Ray glass is “excellent,” and he had the windshield removed and reset so it could be properly resealed. All exterior lighting is functional excluding the driver’s side rear turn signal.
he black interior and headliner remain “excellent,” per the seller, and he replaced the carpet. All the trim is intact, the heater functions, and only the oil pressure readout in the optional Rally Gauge package doesn’t work. The aftermarket AM/FM/cassette stereo is listed as “marginal” in its performance, and a non-stock wood-rimmed steering wheel was added. He discloses that there are a few electrical issues; the horn, for example, is disconnected because it creates a draw on the battery when it’s hooked up.
For more visit: https://www.hemmings.com/auction/1965-pontiac-gto-202179
