Some classics are so incredible it becomes impossible to isolate a single aspect as its most outstanding feature. Such is the case with this 1965 Pontiac GTO. It ticks the right boxes for high-performance enthusiasts, while its custom paint and interior trim guarantee it will always turn heads. Its fascinating history is a testament to one man’s passion for Pontiac vehicles. The GTO is ready to find a new home, with the seller listing it here on eBay in Riverside, California. The bidding sits at $52,099, which is below the reserve.

This GTO’s first owner was passionate about Pontiacs, with his love for the marque dating back to the 1950s. He wanted a GTO as soon as the model was announced, but he could no longer resist when the company unveiled the updated 1965 model. He ordered this car in December 1964, taking delivery in February 1965. He chose to cloak its exterior in iconic Starlight Black but decided to transform the car into a showstopper in 1966. After carefully dismantling the vehicle, he performed a color change to Tiger Gold Metallic. I’ve previously talked about classics with paint you feel you could walk into, and this GTO takes that impression to a higher level. The color change involved applying an incredible fifty-two coats of paint, and the depth of color and shine is impossible to criticize. Making it more astounding is that this classic has never undergone any further cosmetic work, with the paint untouched since the build ended. Was it worth the effort? This GTO picked up trophies during its show career and was featured in Popular Cars Magazine in 1984. The seller confirms this car has never seen water and has been garage-kept its entire life. That makes its rust-free status unsurprising. The level of preservation is impressive, with every piece of chrome and bright trim unrestored and original. The GTO once sat on Cragar wheels but now rolls on chrome steelies, as it did when first customized.

It is time to turn our attention to this Pontiac’s drivetrain, and it ticks the boxes for enthusiasts seeking a genuine muscle car. The first owner teamed the 389ci Tri-Power V8 with a four-speed manual transmission and a 3.55 Posi rear end. The Tri-Power produces 360hp and 424 ft/lbs of torque, allowing the GTO to storm the ¼-mile in 14.3 seconds. The seller confirms the car is numbers-matching, including ancillary components like the carburetors. The first owner pulled the engine and painted it Black to contrast with the Tiger Gold paint. They ordered a factory Ram Air pan, chroming this, the alternator, brackets, fan shroud, and hinges to make the engine bay “pop.” The car saw limited service with its first owner and is a turnkey proposition with a genuine 27,000 miles on its odometer.

The good news and custom touches continue when we examine the interior shots. The first owner selected Black vinyl trim when ordering this classic, but he made significant changes during the following few years. The factory dashpad was ditched in favor of a custom tuck-and-roll item, with the rear package tray receiving similar attention. The factory back seat is gone, with a pair of ’65 buckets and a custom pad occupying that space. He added a ’67 console and grab bar before meticulously detailing every item. It remains untouched since, and the odometer reading makes the condition unsurprising. There is no visible wear or damage, and every item is in as-new condition. This interior would undoubtedly receive as much praise as its exterior if the winning bidder returned the GTO to the show circuit.

Placing a value on a classic like this 1965 Pontiac GTO is almost impossible because any custom build rewrites the rules. The First Generation GTO is inherently desirable, and the fifty-four bids submitted at the time of writing confirm this. It will be interesting to gauge your feedback and see whether there is a general consensus on a potential sale price. So, it’s over to you.