Few cars from the 60s capture the rare blend of performance and attitude of early GTOs and that has made them extremely hot collector cars in today’s market. At RK Motors Charlotte, we sell a lot of nice GTOs, but this 1966 hardtop is the car you’ve always dreamed of owning. Covered in Pontiac Montero Red, it’s a highly optioned, numbers matching investment grade car that has only been driven 200 miles since a 2009 frame up restoration.

Before we go any further, let’s break down the VIN and cowl tag.

VIN: 242176K129835

2 = Pontiac

4217 = 42: GTO, 17: hardtop

6 = 1966

K = Kansas City, Missouri assembly plant

129835 = Sequence number

COWL TAG:

04B = Built the second week of April

3226 = Unknown

66 = 1966

24217 = 2: Pontiac, 42: GTO, 17: hardtop

KAN = Kansas City, Missouri assembly plant

9513 = Sequence number

223-B = 223: Vinyl interior, B: Black

R-R = Montero Red

W = 389 block (It’s important to note that all 389s were “W” code blocks and the body tags were stamped accordingly. This car is in fact an original “WS” car with the “S” denoting the optional Tri-Power set up)

2LV = Unknown

The restoration began with bodywork that was obviously performed to very high standards. The cars panels are straight, exhibit no ripples or waves and fit more precisely than GM’s Kansas City factory would’ve ever assembled them back in 1966. On top of those straight panels, correct GM code R Montero Red paint provides an incredible finish that has been buffed to a high shine. The end result is a jaw-dropping ‘Goat’ that will get fans talking and gawking any time you pull into a show.

For 1966, Pontiac made the GTO its own line instead of a LeMans trim option and accordingly, it received unique styling that built on the highly successful 1965 look. At the front of the car, familiar vertically stacked Pontiac T3 headlights look awesome in new chrome surrounds. Between the headlights, a split GTO grille is trimmed in stainless and features new for 1966 plastic inserts that replaced traditional pot metal and aluminum in the name of reduced cost and weight savings. Inside the grilles, new marker lights sit in chrome trimmed housings, and a wide set “GTO” emblem features a white inlay that contrasts nicely to the cars red body. Below the grille, a show worthy chrome bumper runs from fender to fender and extends forward to add visual weight to the stacked headlights. On the hood, the GTO specific hood scoop which was introduced in 1965 sits above a satin finished Pontiac arrow head that is aligned on the cars central body line. Behind the hood, new glass is trimmed in stainless that has either been buffed to like-new condition or replaced with a high-quality reproduction pieces. Complementing the pristine window trim is stainless windshield wipers, new chrome drip rails, chrome door handles and a chrome driver’s side mirror. The profile of the car is outlined by great looking stainless rocker trim and like-new stainless fender trim. Behind the front tires, new “GTO” emblems feature red inlays with European inspired “6.5 litre” displacement stampings and on the new for 1966 more stylized rear quarters, factory fresh “GTO” emblems are inlayed with black. The best view of this GTO and, given the 389 Tri-Power set up, the one people are probably most familiar with is the rear valence. Another body width chrome bumper incorporates small round reverse lights and sits above correct ’66 GTO stainless exhaust tips. Pristine tail lights are housed in GTO exclusive chrome trimmed and louvered tail light covers which are complemented by more great looking stainless trim. Badging is kept simple and includes a center mounted chrome “Pontiac” script and a small trunk mounted “GTO” emblem with a black inlay.

Raise the hood and the first thing you’ll notice is a killer Tri-Power setup that sports a trio of rebuilt original 2-barrel Rochester carburetors. Each of those carburetors, which are controlled by a correct yellow spring, sports its own individual chrome air cleaner and when combined with the cars original WS block 389 V8 works to produce 360 horsepower. At the sides of the Pontiac turquoise intake, the cars original 093 heads wear correct chrome valve covers and sit above correct exhaust manifolds. Behind the carburetors, a correct points distributor sends power through correct Packard wires, and in front of the motor you’ll find a correct option 514 heavy duty seven blade fan. Above the seven blade fan is a correct and properly decaled fan shroud that is bolted to a correct radiator. On the left side of the engine, a new brake booster supplies the cars drum brakes and a new power steering pump supplies the cars option 511 quick-ratio power steering. Dig a little deeper and you’ll find exact details throughout including a correctly finished and insulated hood, correct GM hoses and tower clamps, a correct Delco battery and even a correctly decaled alternator. This 389 was fully rebuilt to stock specifications during the cars restoration and purrs like a tiger should; engine compartments just don’t get much nicer than this.

Underneath the car, you’ll find that the chassis is every bit as well detailed as the engine compartment. A numbers matching close ratio M21 Muncie 4-speed transmission delivers power to a numbers matching optional Safe-T-Track rear axle that houses a rebuilt 10 bolt limited slip differential with a 3.90 gears. Equipped with the optional ride and handling package, this GTO features a double A-arm front suspension and rear four link suspension which houses power steering and red power drum brakes at all four corners. Exhaust duties are handled by a true dual system that flows into Dynomax mufflers and out of correct ‘66 GTO stainless tips. At the front of the car, new stainless hardware holds everything together and the suspension, shocks and steel brake lines present as new. At the rear of the car, a new stainless fuel tank sends fuel through stainless fuel lines and the differential even has the tag reminding the owner to use limited slip gear oil. The floorpans are virtually spotless with clean satin black paint that appears to have never seen rain or sat in the elements. Keeping the car connected to the pavement is 14 inch slotted steel GTO Rally wheels that wear chrome trim rings, black accented chrome center caps and a set of 7.75-14 Firestone redline tires.

Inside the car, the correct code 223 standard black bucket vinyl interior presents as new with seats that are firm and stainless that is in good shape. The dash pad looks good and houses an option 448 Rally gauge package in correct Walnut veneer. In front of the gauges a correct option 471 optional custom sport steering wheel features a wood rim, chrome spokes and a correct blue Pontiac horn button that perfectly matches passenger side blue GTO dash trim. To the right of the steering wheel, a correct option 342 Pontiac Reverb AM radio sits in front of a Hurst shifter. Below the shifter, new carpet is protected by reproduction rubber Pontiac floor mats and is flanked by new ‘Body by Fisher’ sill plates. Great looking stainless trimmed door panels include correct red “GTO” emblems and house new chrome handles for the doors and windows. At the sides of the seats, great looking lap belts feature clasps with the Fisher Body logo for a cool touch. Under the deck-lid, the GTOs spacious trunk has been properly restored with correct spatter paint and includes a new mat, a new spare and a correct jack decal.

Documentation for this car includes papers from Pontiac Historical Services, an original owner’s manual, copies of previous owner’s titles, a folder of restoration receipts, restoration photos and two GTO restoration books.

If you’ve been thinking about putting a GTO in your garage, this 1966 hardtop is the one to buy. It’s an incredibly authentic, freshly restored investment grade car that has been documented by the Pontiac Historical Society and features a numbers matching powertrain. Stylish and impressively fast, it’s a car that you will never get tired of driving and can show anywhere with confidence. Call today!