... PICTURE SET CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE CLICK->
The saga continues with the following batch of photos. Shane has been pretty busy since the last photo. He has the car stripped down to the frame. CLICK->
The frame and suspension components have been cleaned, blasted, and painted. Shane adds, "So far I have been fortunate enough to do all the work myself with the help of a good friend (who happens also to be a Pontiac nut)." CLICK->
Shane adds, "The rear end has been blasted and painted and had all new drum brakes installed. It is a 12 bolt unit, I'm not sure yet what ratio it will have, it is installed under the frame." CLICK->
Another shot of the rear end components installation. CLICK->
Here is a freshly rebuilt and painted Muncie M-21 wide ratio 4-speed manual transmission. Shane has a new 11 inch clutch for it. CLICK->
Shane explains, "It has a different powerplant now. The frame is cradling a rebuilt 455ci that is bored .060, has a new steel crank, new forged aluminum pistons, a RAIV cam, and 6X heads. A new billet flywheel and HEI distributor just arrived today. I have it set up to run a four barrel right now, but I'm seriously considering running fuel injection on it. I haven't started it yet (hopefully within the next month), but it should be a strong motor." CLICK->
Burgundy 1969 GTO hardtop owned by Dave S from Washington, Michigan. Dave tells us, "I was disgusted with the stock market and surfing the net when I discovered this 69 GTO in Oklahoma. I decided that the stocks had to go and I bought a bus ticket for $69. The car had a broken speedometer at 27,400 miles but original and rust free AC car. The body is straight with one repaint. Its got the original
WT motor, M-22 transmission, and one of 3774 with AC! I drove it with a bad clutch 1,155 miles home without incident - other than the funny looks cause I was smiling all the way. Oh yes, the truckers gave thumbs up and hit the air horn from time to time to signal approval. I had one when I was 18 and swore I would get another someday. That day came on Easter, 2004. This is one of GM's finest years." CLICK->
Burgundy 1969 GTO hardtop, right rear view. CLICK->
Burgundy 1969 GTO hardtop, engine view. This is the original WT code engine. The WT stands for the standard 4bbl 350hp engine with the manual transmission. CLICK->
Palladium Silver 1969 GTO hardtop owned by Larry Metzger from Columbus, New Jersey. Larry lists the options, "Numbers matching 400 with Turbo 400 automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, power windows, remote mirror, wood steering wheel, electric trunk release, hideaway headlights, and hood tach. It's an all original GTO with one repaint eight years ago." CLICK->
This view of Larry's Palladium Silver 1969 GTO shows the cornering lamps on the front fenders. This option lights up the corner when you turn on your directional signal. CLICK->
Palladium Silver 1969 GTO hardtop, right rear view. These cars have true dual exhausts. That's two separate pipes from the rear bumper all the way to the headers. What else do you have in the garage Larry? There's something hiding under a car cover. CLICK->
Palladium Silver 1969 GTO hardtop, in the garage. CLICK->
Palladium Silver 1969 GTO hardtop, interior view. Take a look at the door panel. I see power windows and a remote mirror. CLICK->
So that is what else Larry has in his garage. Besides his Palladium Silver 1969 GTO, he's got a Verdoro Green 1968 GTO! I don't think you can have too many GTOs. You can see some of the styling differences that exist between the '68 on the left and the '69 on the right. Round door mirror on the '68 while rectangle on the '69. Plain grille in '68, grille with a center bar for '69. Slim turn signal lights for '68 while larger for '69. Center of the bumper "beak" was an arrowhead emblem for '68 while none in '69. Either year of car could be ordered with optional hideaway headlights. The hideaway system was a door that covered the headlights. When the headlights are turned on, the doors swing down below the bumper. The doors are actuated with a complex vacuum system which is operational when the car is running. Click here to see more pictures of Larry's 1968 GTO using the Advanced Picture Searcher loaded with year=1968, model=GTO, owner=Larry Metzger.
Here's a comment from a recent visitor...
Says Steve (HTWHEEL69.@aol.com) -"Its like having a stack of your favorite magazines, all with the best pictures, of the best cars ever....The Mighty G T O."
