30,439 Original Miles: 1965 Pontiac GTO
Talk about a nice, low-mileage ’65 GTO with an interesting build sheet. Of the 42 previous 1965 GTO’s featured here on Barn Finds over the past decade, this is the first one ordered as a convertible with an automatic transmission and factory wire wheel covers. I didn’t know that “Wheel Discs – Wire” were even an option. But more about the build sheet later. Currently making the Mile High City of Denver, Colorado its home, this 1965 Pontiac GTO drop-top is for sale here on eBay. As of this writing, 13 bids had been placed, but the $30,200 had not met the seller’s reserve.
The seller is very light on details, history, and any other tidbits about this particular Goat. A copy of the window sticker is included showing that this Pontiac Tempest Le Mans with the optional $295.90 GTO package was originally delivered to Balestra Pontiac in Redwood City, California. From there, all the seller states is that this GTO lived its life in Arizona. The Code Y Mayfair Maize paint looks presentable and I’m not seeing any rust or noticeable issues with the body panels, chrome, bright stuff, GTO badging, or glass. Photos show a clean trunk and there’s one photo of the black power convertible top which looks good. I’ve always liked the restyled rear end of the ’65 GTO’s. The wraparound ribbed taillamps and bumper and the dual exhausts all work in perfect harmony. In addition to the wire wheel covers, this GTO was also ordered with optional backup lights.
The seller states there’s only 30,439 original miles on this GTO and the interior looks like it. I’m thinking the carpet has been replaced, but the bucket seats and back bench seat look like they came from the factory. They’re not perfect as you can spot some seam separations and piping issues in a few spots on the driver’s seat. The door panels and dash pad and instrument cluster all look good but some aftermarket gauges have been added under the dash. As far as options, this GTO was ordered with power windows, a console with a floor-mounted automatic transmission shifter, custom sports steering wheel, 2-speed washer/wipers, tinted windshield, and an electric clock. Nothing is mentioned, but we assume everything, including the power convertible top, is in working order.
Lifting the Mayfair Maize hood up reveals the standard 389-cubic-inch, 335 horsepower, 4-barrel carb V8 that’s paired with a 2-speed automatic transmission (25% of ’65 GTO’s were ordered with an automatic). The seller also says the car comes with the factory window sticker, build sheet, and PHS documentation. So what do you think? This isn’t the most performance-oriented of the 11,311 convertible GTO’s that left the factory in 1965, but it appears to be a nice, low-mileage survivor that’s been well taken care of the past 57 years.
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Comments
I have been a really good boy, so could Santa or someone who is rich just drop this off here at the house for me? I would even leave the keys and title in the 94 Vette convertible for them to drive back with…… :)
I see what you mean ,Thats a real BEAUTY. Do you think the OLD STYLE keystone rims would do it a little more justice Mr Garner ?
My dad was coached by his two teenage sons to buy the twin to this car as opposed to a Lemans for our mom. It went away early when my older brother was spotted racing on the interstate highway. I never got to drive it because of my younger age and the cars early departure.
One difference I see is the air cleaner, ours was a “pancake” style that had louvers around the outside edge. Maybe a emissions difference. Always loved the color!
it got my attention. while I have owned just a handful of American made cars out of the 50 or so I have owned, I would own this in a minute.
Love it!
Without looking it up, I wonder why it has a 2-speed automatic when virtually all 65 Pontiacs with V8s had the 3-speed Turbo- Hydramatic.
Wrong three speed auto not offered in 65
Full size Pontiacs had the TurboHydromatic, A-bodies only offered the 2-speed until the 1967 model year. No, I don’t know why.
No 3 spd autos on ANY GM intermediates until 67, 2 spds only.
Not true, 1966 also 2 speed, 1967, 400 automatic, the 2 speed is weak, if I bought this car, I’d switch it out for a 400, or a 700 R4
Wow, oh boy, fake wire wheel covers! That alone is worth … what …$70,000? I would bud, buy my wife is holding out for an Isetta! The wire wheel covers, just might sway her …. ya think?
Looked at a 1965 Pontiac brochure online and said an automatic transmission was optional along with a 4 speed manual. Three speed manual was the stabdard offering. Google search sites specified it was a 2 speed automatic. (Wish it had air conditioning too; spoiled with modern comforts.) Apparently like Chevy’s power glide automatic. I personally prefer an automatic on any vehicle. This GTO looks great but proof of mileage and pedigree would give collectors peace of mind. Nice to see a popular classic in drivable condition.
The factory optional 2-speed automatic offered in the ’64-’66 Pontiac A-body was actually a Buick-Oldsmobile-Pontiac (B-O-P) Super Turbine 300, not a Powerglide. In a GTO, it’s 2 speeds are referred to as “fast” and “faster”.
Up North, a convertible IS air conditioning 😂 Just sayin’
I thought it was great as far as safety equipment options ordered (seat belts, padded dash, back up lights, etc.). One comment concerning no AC got me thinking that Vintage AC could be added, as power steering was on the option list, but no power brakes?
All those options and no power brakes. Go figure.
A friend just asked me for comment on a 65 GTO coupe in excellent non-numbers matching condition, with some modern upgrades (front discs, dual cylinder MC) that was at an asking price of $59,900. In Hemmings, similar condition ones were ranging between $47K and $70K (model years 65-67). No wonder the reserve hasn’t been met on this one. I don’t know about 3 speed hydramatics, but our 67 LeMans convertible had the 2 speed automatic and ran just fine.
Little GTO, you’re really lookin’ fine… 2 speeds and a four-barrel, and a 389..
PW, but manual steering and brakes? This would definitely be a 1 of 1.
I had a ’65 LeMans with pwr windows;
no pwr brakes or pwr steering. Didn’t
mind that one bit. Not a GTO, but it ran
fine with the 326…
The original ad on eBay has power steering listed as an option too.
No way this goat has 31,000 original miles! To many things pointing it at 131,000 miles!!
Same 1965 Pontiac brochure said vacuum power brakes were a low cost option on the Tempest/GTO line. The equipment one typically finds in a compact car today is better than the muscle cars and luxury cars of the 1960s.
I have a ’65 hardtop coupe with the 389. No PS or PB works just fine for this old man. For me, too many questions on this one that needs to be answered…but it is a ’65
These came with the ST300 2 spd trans or the 3 spd manual. Cold be ordered with a 4 spd. All the GTO in ’65 came with Back up lites to my knowledge and they all came with the exhaust splitters which this car does not have. So the original exhaust system has been tampered with, hummmm
My ’65 was originally a 3 spd upgraded to 4 spd, also front disc with dual MC.
I doubt seriously this is a 30k mi car, shows lots of wear for claimed mileage IMO.
I see too much wear on the gas & brake pedal for claimed miles and also all the Pontiacs came with ss trim around the fuel, brake and E brake pedal. One other thing the instrument cluster is missing the wood grain panel all GTO came with. It currently has the LeMans black textured cluster. I say buyer beware…
Beautiful looking car. This has always been my favourite year for the GTO with the vertical headlamp set up.
The BOP 2 speed was an upgraded over a Powerglide. Although it did use some Powerglide pieces inside. Working in a Pontiac store where we saw lots of GTOs and 4 times as many Lemans and Firebirds. I only remember the shop having to do repairs on only a couple of 2 speeds. We had more problems with shift cables seizing up because people left the ground straps off when they replaced valve cover gaskets. (valve cover to firewall) The engine/starter would ground through the floor shift cable and melt. Had the same problem (maybe worst) on the 1969 & 1970 Grand Prixs.
Also, I know that the 1964 and possibly the 1965 GTO 3 speeds (manual) were supplied by Ford. (at the time GM did not have a 3 speed that would stand up to a 389!)