|
by Sean Mattingly. 1965 GTO Parking Lot Biggest GTO image collection anywhere! |
![]() . |
|
![]() |
|
|
|
CLICK->
CLICK->
CLICK->
CLICK->
Black 1965 GTO hardtop, interior view. This one has a red interior and a floor shifted manual transmission without the center console.CLICK->
Black 1965 GTO hardtop, interior view from the passenger side.CLICK->
Here's a shot of Rich's black 1965 GTO hardtop before the restoration. Some people would look at a car like this and dismiss it as a hopeless basket case. Not Rich.CLICK->
Here's another pre-restoration photo. The hood is folded over, but the front bumper looks okay. It must have been hit high in the front.CLICK->
Rich did a frame-off restoration on his 1965 GTO hardtop. Here he has the body off the frame and on a rotisserie. I call this the "point of no return". That's because at this stage of disassembly, the car might not ever return to the road! It takes a dedicated owner to actually follow through with the restoration process. At this point there are a lot of obstacles to trip over. There's parts you didn't know you needed, there's parts that need refinished (not just painted), there's a big investment in labor ahead. How many hours of work are needed at this stage? A ton. Not to mention the money it will take to finish a car at this stage. Rich had a lot of hours invested before he ever got to the "Picture Of The Week" stage!CLICK->
Some of the underside panels have been replaced. Those are prone to frequent rustout. When purchasing a driver, it is important to check the condition of the floors carefully. When purchasing a car for a total restoration, it's less important considering that many many parts will be replaced anyway before it hits the street.CLICK->
CLICK->
The engine and transmission are installed. This GTO will have a manual transmission, headers, and a Tri-Power. Mmm! Fat new tires.CLICK->
The body is put back on the frame. The hood looks new. The grilles and front end metal appear to be from a LeMans. Once in a while a LeMans parts car has to "give it up" so another GTO can be resurrected.CLICK-> CLICK->
Here's a shot of the engine in Lew Arrington's 1965 GTO drag car. That's a Hemi with Pontiac stamped valve covers. The driver's side front fender said, "M/T Hemi Pontiac." The engine is tucked into the original firewall and lowered so the blower is hidden. CLICK-> PICTURE SET CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE ... |
![]() ![]() Missing a hubcap for your classic GTO? ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
|
|