I have kept the GTO close to stock as possible but have incorporated current technology to make it drive, handle and perform better. The points and condensor have been replaced by a pertronix electronic unit that fits snug under the stock distributer cap for consistent spark. No more points to go bad or wear out. I replaced the stock front sway bar with a larger one from a 70 GTO. Polyurethene bushings replaced the old factory spongy rubber pieces. A rear sway bar with boxed control arms from the same 70 GTO was added. KYB gas shocks replaced the stock mushy shocks. 15x7 Pontiac Rally II rims (which were not available until 67) with wide 60's series rubber were installed on all 4 corners. When the 2 speed transmission was slipping, I decided not to overhaul that "weak" tranny and found such a deal on a 79 Trans Am turbo 350. It bolted in with NO modifications. It "woke up" the engine with the extra forward gear. When the engine was rebuilt, I installed the '068' tripower camshaft for more power. I also installed lower compression pistons and hardened exhaust valve seats for todays unleaded pump gas. I bought a used hood scoop bezel that was partially drilled out for ram air. I then finished opening them up, painted the bezel black, and substituted the "closed" bezel to allow fresh air into the engine compartment. I dont have the ram air pan/foam set up, so the air just goes in randomly. I added 1971 GTO black "Ram Air" decals on both sides of the hood scoop. I also blacked out the front grille where it should be silver for more of a cooler look.
I bought this car on March 5, 1988. Since then, I have driven it on the Daytona 500 International Speedway Racetrack 3 times (but only at 35 mph-some legal rules!!) and 4 Christmas parades. The car has won 28 trophies. One of them was "Best of Show" inside the local mall (Aug 1994). I was in the small local newspaper for that award. I also have driven it to the popular weekly Saturday Nite Cruise at 'Old Town' in Kissimmee, Florida (just south of Orlando) which is suppose to be the largest weekly cruise in the US.
In 2000, Car Craft Magazine was looking for readers who had designed a webpage on their car. I emailed them about mine and I was lucky enough to be chosen for their magazine. This webpage is listed in the December 2000 Issue on page 13. What a way to start the new millennium! Thanks Car Craft!!
Then on April 26, 2001, the local newspaper (Orlando Sentinel) featured my GTO
in their weekly Reader's Rides section called Cool Cars. That made my year!!!!
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Daytona Speedway 1997
Crossing the "Finish Line"
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On Pit Row - Awaiting My Turn to Drive the Track
Daytona Speedway 1997 - Daytona Speedway 1998
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Inside Looking Out-Daytona 1998
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Won "Best of Show"
Inside the Local Mall - Aug 1994
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"Best of Show"Award - Local Newspaper-Aug 1994
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Feb 1997 WTW Car Show
(Many Nice GTOs-Mine is the 4th From the Right)
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1997 BOP Car Show
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Feb 1998 WTW Car Show - Took 1st Place
(My GTO is the 3rd From the Right)
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Christmas Parades
1994 // 1996
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Christmas Parade - 1997
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Exterior Restoration
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Interior Restoration
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Engine Restoration
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"The Burnout"
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In Car Craft Magazine
December 2000 on Pg 13
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April 26, 2001
In the "Cool Car" Section of the Orlando Newspaper
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Trophies Won
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1998 Cocoa Beach Show
Favorite Trophy - Handmade From Wood
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Can You Find My GTO?
Here at the Daytona Speedway Turkey Run Car Show
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8th Annual Sat Nite Car Cruise Anniversary
(I was car #846 out of 1000 cars)
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"LIL GTO" Song on 45 Record
(That plays here on this webpage)
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Fontaine Blue 65 GTO Diecast Model
(A replica of my car from SunStar)
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