Pontiac factory reps were taking dealer orders for the GTO in late Summer of 1963, and over 15,000 orders were taken in the first 6 months, before the official GTO brochure came out in March of 1964. But this was done on purpose to fly beneath the radar of GM brass due to concern they might try to cancel the program. It is true that the GTO was omitted from the 1964 Pontiac full-line brochure. While understandable, this belief is incorrect and the GTO was in fact in production in September 1963. There is a seemingly common belief I’m seeing in the comments(and have heard before) that the GTO was brought out by Pontiac in the middle of the 1964 model year. If that proves the case, it could be one of the bargains of 2023. An in-person inspection would confirm this GTO has no significant problems. Recent sales results suggest $30,000 would have been realistic, although higher figures are possible. That makes me question the price because it seems far lower than I would expect in such circumstances. It retains most of its original drivetrain, and the interior looks faultless. The panels are straight, the vinyl is clean, and there are no glaring paint issues. The seller states it is solid, and there is no evidence of rust in the supplied photos. This 1964 Pontiac GTO leaves me intrigued. Slipping behind the wheel would be like rewinding the clock nearly sixty years, and many enthusiasts would find that prospect enticing. ![]() ![]() There is no wear, physical damage, or signs of aftermarket additions like a modern stereo or extra gauges. It isn’t just bright because its condition is impeccable. That shade covers the upholstered surfaces, carpet, and dash. ![]() It is hard to imagine walking into a showroom today and spotting a new car trimmed in the vivid Red we see in this GTO. That’s why I find classics from this era irresistible. Buyers are generally faced with various shades of Gray, with vibrant upholstery seemingly confined to high-end models. I have long lamented that modern manufacturers show little adventure when designing interior trim. We receive no information on how it runs or drives, but the visual indications are positive. It is PHS documented, meaning there’s no doubting its authenticity. Therefore, it may produce a few additional ponies to improve its original performance figures. The listing indicates the engine received a rebuild that included a 0.010″ bore and upgraded camshaft. It sends 325hp to a 3.23 Posi rear end via a four-speed manual transmission, and with a ¼-mile ET of 14.6 seconds, there is no disputing its muscle credentials. Powering this GTO is its numbers-matching 389ci V8, although the seller admits it sports an updated Edelbrock carburetor. It would take an in-person inspection to confirm that all is well, but taken at face value, this Pontiac shows a lot of promise. Nobody has seen fit to bolt on aftermarket wheels, with the GTO retaining its original steelies and hubcaps. The tinted glass looks flawless, with the same true for the chrome and trim. The seller describes it as solid with no rust, and if it has spent its life in a dry climate, the claim is plausible. The paint shows consistency and a healthy shine, with no apparent issues with the vinyl. This classic presents well in Cameo White with a contrasting Black vinyl top. Pontiac unveiled the GTO as an options package on the LeMans in 1964, with the badge achieving standalone model status in 1966. They set their price at $21,900, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder MattR for spotting it. The seller listed the GTO here on Craigslist in San Bruno, California. It is PHS documented and ready for a new home. That is what our feature car promises and the photos make a positive first impression. However, with many of the 32,450 cars produced during that first year succumbing to rust or hard living, finding a tidy example is a treat. ![]() Certainly, there was no disputing its performance credentials. Although it sometimes ignites debate, most classic enthusiasts consider the 1964 Pontiac GTO as the “father” of the muscle car era.
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