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1966 Pontiac GTO Convertible Is This Close to Becoming a Flower Pot, Please Save It

1966 Pontiac GTO 6 photos
Photo: Craigslist
1966 Pontiac GTO1966 Pontiac GTO1966 Pontiac GTO1966 Pontiac GTO1966 Pontiac GTO
GTO sales skyrocketed in 1966, with Pontiac producing close to 97,000 units, up from 75,000 cars in 1965.
The 2-door coupe was the big star of the show with over 73,000 units, but the carmaker also produced 12,798 convertibles.

The Tri-Power setup was installed on 19,000 GTOs, while the 389 four-barrel made its way to nearly 78,000 cars.

The GTO you can hardly see in these photos is a convertible fitted with a 389 four-barrel.

The images shared by the owner on Craigslist speak for themselves, confirming that the car is in horrible shape. It's difficult to correctly determine the GTO's condition based solely on this collection photo gallery, especially because the listing doesn't answer several big questions.

The GTO looks like it's been sitting under the clear sky surrounded by plants, so it's safe to assume it comes with rust on the undersides, in the trunk, and in many other body parts. The next buyer will spend the most time doing the bodywork, though you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out this GTO needs everything. The original paint is long gone, with the car flexing part patina and part white panels that could be remnants of the original finish.

The owner says the car still rolls freely with a set of tires, but the engine's condition is unknown. They still have the 389 and the 4-speed transmission, yet they didn't reveal if the powertrain has been sleeping under the clear sky with the GTO. However, you shouldn't expect good news on the engine front, possibly as the V8 might be seized.

The owner says they pulled the car from where it's been sleeping for years, but they didn't share new photos to let us inspect it in all its glory. You can still see the car in person by traveling to Nabb, Indiana, though you must first agree with a hefty price tag.

The owner believes their GTO is worth $7,500 despite the super-rough shape, so it'll be interesting to see if someone decides the car is worth a second chance.

A 1966 GTO could be worth a complete restoration when selling with an all-original package, but otherwise, a rough project like this one needs a lower price tag. It'll be hard for the owner to find a buyer willing to pay that much on their convertible, especially without a prior inspection. The years spent outside likely produced a ton of rust, making the restoration a challenging project even for professional restorers.

For what it's worth, a fully restored 1966 GTO could easily sell for $50K in good shape. An all-original model restored to factory specifications could be worth at least $75K, though this convertible has a long way from the current shape to dreaming about such a price tag.
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About the author: Bogdan Popa
Bogdan Popa profile photo

Bogdan keeps an eye on how technology is taking over the car world. His long-term goals are buying an 18-wheeler because he needs more space for his kid’s toys, and convincing Google and Apple that Android Auto and CarPlay deserve at least as much attention as their phones.
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