Topping it all off, a Grant mahogany steering wheel was mounted on the stock steering column. Stock '65 GTO Rally gauges peek from the dash, the entire set returned to factory perfection by the guys at Redline Gauge Repair.
With the old Goat back on the road, Chris finally has had some time behind the wheel. How does this now-finished project car feel? "It's extremely solid," Chris says. "It accelerates very hard and decelerates the same way. Everything is right then and there. It's tight." When we inquired further about what he likes the most, Chris told us, "It's very clean and crisp. I like that it has an aggressive tone, but at the same time it has a lot of class."
Even after building his perfect Pontiac, Chris did find one problem, "I made it too nice," he says. "I'm now scared that somebody is going to do something to it." Accident, or otherwise, Chris currently takes his GTO out sparingly, reporting just 150 accumulated miles as of this writing.
In the meantime, while waiting for the newness to wear off the '65, Chris has already started his '70 GTO Judge hardtop. Will this R/A-III auto with A/C A-body be too nice to drive as well? Only time will tell.
A Be Cool aluminum radiator...
A Be Cool aluminum radiator with four rows keeps the internal temperatures at manageable levels, and chromed pulleys dress up the front of the engine.
For modern performance hidden...
For modern performance hidden in a nostalgic wrapper, a Joe Hunt magneto look-alike electronic distributor with an internal coil is employed.
Improved handling and braking...
Improved handling and braking were paramount to the project. Stock parts were augmented with A-arms, spindles, and disc brakes from a '69 GTO for shorter stopping distances. A Hotchkis 15/16-inch stabilizer bar, Hotchkis springs, KYB Gas-Adjust shocks, and Polygraphite bushings increase handling precision up front.
In the rear, Chris installed...
In the rear, Chris installed a 12-bolt Posi unit with 3.31 gears, and added boxed control arms to mount a 1-inch rear stabilizer bar. The Hotchkis springs and KYBs are back there too, as are '79 T/A disc brakes.
Nothing adds to the crisp,...
Nothing adds to the crisp, clean look of this Poncho like its Wheel Vintiques 16-inch rims wrapped in BFGoodrich Radial T/As.
How's this for attention to...
How's this for attention to detail? In the trunk, an interior-matching tire cover sits on maroon carpeting.