Make: | Pontiac |
Model: | Le Mans |
SubModel: | GTO Clone |
Type: | Convertible |
Doors: | 2 |
Year: | 1965 |
Mileage: | 88,689 |
Color: | Red |
Engine: | 389 V8 |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Interior color: | Black |
Vehicle Title: | Clear |
Item location: | Fort Worth, Texas, United States |
We all know that tribute cars are a great way to own and drive a legend without the massive cash it requires to buy the real thing, ut this 1965 Pontiac LeMans convertible is one of the more convincing GTO tributes we've seen. It's not meant to be an exact duplicate, ut with a 389 Tri-Power V8, orgeous red paint, nd a top that goes down, obody's going to be asking questions about casting numbers.The color is pretty close to the original GTO color of Montero Red and if you're going to drive a '60s muscle car with a top that goes down, here's really no point in trying to be subtle. GM styling was on a roll in '65, ith stacked headlights making their debut and the Tempest/GTO benefitted from a major restyling to make one of the best-looking Goats of all. Panel fit is pretty darned good all around, articularly for a 50-year-old convertible and those massive quarters are very, ery straight. Forward-canted headlights, s well as the subtle kick-up right behind the doors, dd interest, nd, f course, ll the proper GTO badges were installed in their correct locations. The grille, ood scoop, nd incredibly intricate taillights are all accurate enough to fool most onlookers, nd the condition of the chrome will convince people that the good money was spent on the restoration. If we didn't tell you it was a clone, ell, ou probably wouldn't know just by looking at it.Black buckets with their distinctive Pontiac diagonal stitching anchor a very correct interior. Reproduction seat covers fit well on the low-back buckets and show only minor signs of use, hile the rear bench looks virtually new. The fat wood-rimmed steering wheel isn't quite correct, ut the three-spoke design has a racy '60s appearance, nd while most folks don't realize it, tachometer was optional on the GTO, o this dash looks like the one you would have gotten with a base model GTO. Aftermarket gauges under the dash make up for the lack of factory dials, nd the center console and dash are in good order. They even made sure to add the proper GTO badges on the dash and door panels! An aftermarket A/C system adds some warm weather comfort and uses under-dash vents that blend in pretty well. It's equipped with a very well-fitted black power convertible top with a crystal clear rear window and the trunk is neatly finished with proper spatter paint.The engine is a Pontiac 389 cubic inch V8 topped with three 2-barrel carbs under correct individual chrome air cleaners. Pontiac Turquoise paint, hrome valve covers, nd other details make for a convincing presentation, lthough the upgraded MSD ignition system spoils the illusion a little bit. Stock exhaust manifolds feed a mellow-sounding dual exhaust system that sounds potent enough to wear the GTO emblems. You'll also note that the A/C system uses a modern compressor and R134a refrigerant, o it's reliable and easy to service, ven though as a convertible, ou probably won't use it all that often. The engine is backed by a correct PowerGlide 2-speed automatic transmission (that was the only automatic available on the GTO in '65) and the original 10-bolt rear end, o the drivetrain is pretty tough. Pontiac Rally II wheels were upsized to 15-inchers to give it a period performance look and wear 235/60/15 Goodyear radials all around.A great-looking tribute car that gets all the big stuff right so you can enjoy the legend without the legendary price tag. Sometimes less really is more. Call today!