AutoHunter Spotlight: 1964 Pontiac GTO

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 1964 Pontiac GTO.

While there are a few cars that technically beat it to market, to most people the Pontiac GTO represented the birth of the whole idea of the muscle car and was the true catalyst for those that followed it. If it weren’t for the GTO we might not have the SS Chevelles, Hemi Cudas, Buick Skylark GS, Ford Torino GT or the Olds 442. It ushered in an era of performance in America that will forever hold legendary status in the collector car community as a result. A fun fact that adds to the GTOs cool factor is that a Pontiac employee had the car homologated by the FIA in 1964, which qualified the GTO to compete in European sports car racing.

Our AutoHunter Spotlight is a first year 1964 GTO that underwent a complete restoration in 2018. It is powered by a rebuilt, fuel-injected 389cid V8 mated to a Super Turbine 300 two-speed automatic transmission with a Safe-T-Track rear end. Equipment includes a center console, power steering, a radio, power brakes, and a quad-outlet exhaust system. The car is finished in two-tone Alamo Beige and Singapore Gold paint over a Light Saddle vinyl interior. It is offered by the selling dealer with receipts, a manifest document, a build sheet, the removed original radio, and a clear title.

The seller describes the exterior of this GTO, which looks to be in show condition, as having been refinished in Alamo Beige (code R) with a Singapore Gold (code T) top as part of the restoration completed six years ago. Features include quad headlights, rocker moldings, dual mirrors, door edge guards, exhaust splitters, GTO badging, and a full-width taillight bezel. The car rides on chrome 14-inch wheels with spinner-style center caps which were equipped with new, period correct Firestone tires at the time of the restoration.

The interior, which also looks to be in show condition, is fitted with Light Saddle (code 216) bucket seats up front, a bench in the rear, and complementary materials for the door panels, padded dash, headliner, center console, seat belts, and carpeting. Features include visor vanity mirrors, power steering, Soft Ray tinted glass, and a newer retro-look radio. Instrumentation is housed in an engine-turned aluminum dash which looks amazing and includes a 120-mph speedometer and gauges for the fuel level and coolant temperature. The five-digit mechanical odometer reads 22,295 miles, but the true mileage on the chassis is unknown.

Under the hood of the car is a rebuilt 389cid V8 that has had its four-barrel carburetor replaced with a fuel injection system. Some may complain about this but this addition, which is reversible, makes a muscle car like this GTO much more drivable. When new, the engine produced 325 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque and the fuel injection addition likely raises these numbers a little. Power is directed to the back wheels via a console-shifted Super Turbine 300 two-speed automatic transmission and a Safe-T-Track rear differential with 3.23:1 gearing.

An early GTO is to me a car that will always be sought after and has been a true icon since it was released. Of all the muscle cars in the world, the one I would personally want in my garage would be one of these.

The auction for this 1964 Pontiac GTO ends Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. (MST)

Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and photo gallery