Factory-built one-offs are as cool as they get, but they’re increasingly more common nowadays. Whether we’re talking about Ferrari, McLaren, or Koenigsegg, it’s much easier to order a bespoke supercar in 2021. Assuming you have a fat wallet, that is! But it was far more complicated back in the day when most carmakers didn’t offer bespoke programs. So it’s quite a big deal to stumble upon a one-of-a-kind vehicle from the 1960s, like this Pontiac GTO.
The GTO arrived with a bang in 1964. A somewhat light full-size offered with big-displacement engines, it was among the very first muscle cars marketed accordingly, with performance figures from the drag strip. The nameplate actually debuted as an optional package for the LeMans and did not become a separate model until 1966. This GTO drop-top rolled off the assembly line that exact model year, and it’s a one-of-one rig thanks to a unique-for-1966 color.
The build sheet of this car indicates that the GTO was ordered in Tiger Gold. The thing about this color is that it was included in the palette for 1965 but discontinued in 1966. Somehow, the original owner managed to convince Pontiac to add it as a special option. Granted, the paint has seen better days, but we must keep in mind that this GTO is an all-original survivor.
Completely unrestored since it left the factory more than 50 years ago, the Poncho shows a few signs of surface corrosion and sports a white top that needs some work, but it’s in surprisingly good condition, down to the Rally wheels, the chrome, and the wheel arches. And things look even better inside, with minor signs of wear on the upholstery and a solid dashboard.
It also comes with a few optional extras, such as the sports steering, walnut shifter knob, and the Rally gauge cluster. It will need new carpets and a good cleaning, but there’s nothing too expensive to replace.
Under the long hood lurks a factory-original and numbers-matching, 389 cubic-inch (6.4-liter) V8 engine. While not quite as big as the 400-cubic-inch (6.6-liter) mill that Pontiac also offered in the GTO in the 1960s, the Tri-Power was plenty powerful at 360 horsepower when new. All that oomph hits the wheels through a four-speed manual and a Saf-T-Track rear end. This layout enabled the GTO to run the quarter-mile in less than 14.5 seconds.
While it’s not exactly road-worthy, the GTO runs and drives. It could probably hit the street with a new suspension, new tires, and a bit of tuning under the hood, but its one-of-a-kind status calls for a proper, frame-off restoration.
1966 GTOs in Concours-ready condition command more than $70,000 nowadays and this unique example could fetch significantly more than that. Speaking of which, the drop-top is currently being auction on eBay by “gtoboys” and bidding has reached $36,300 with almost three days to go. Reserve hasn’t been met though and given that the “buy it now” price is $75,000, it’s safe to assume that the owner won’t let it go for cheap.
