1965 Pontiac GTO Convertible - Having It His Way

Once the shell was ship shape, the Goat was sprayed by Tony Prestano at Quality Auto in West Nyack, New York, with four coats of PPG 8005 epoxy primer and then blocked-sanded until it was deemed perfectly straight. PPG 8085 epoxy sealer followed. Then came seven coats of Dupont Chromabase in Nightwatch Blue, which was wet-sanded between coats before four coats of DuPont 7600 clear were applied. After more wet-sanding with 2,000- to 2,500-grit paper, a final polishing yielded a dazzling finish.

To match the detailing of the topside, the underside received 60-percent gloss-black on the chassis and a stock suspension rebuild from stem to stern, including the factory 9.5-inch drum brakes. Upgrades include a dual-pot master cylinder and power brakes, power steering, and a fresh set of aftermarket gas shocks. A set of ultra-rare 14-inch Hurst wheels shod with Firestone 7.75x14 repro redlines is the finishing touch.

Under the hood, there are even more subtle mods. The WT-code 389 engine was machined, bored 0.030 over, and blueprinted by noted engine-builder and racer Pat Musi of Carteret, New Jersey; then Dean assembled it. Its block was stuffed with forged pistons that were cut to reduce compression for pump-gas operation. Stock rods and the factory-cast crank were refurbished and retained. A custom-ground Howard's hydraulic-roller cam with 216/226 degrees duration at 0.050 and 0.503/0.488 lift move Smith Brothers pushrods to operate Manley SS 1.92/1.66 valves via Crane 1.50:1 roller rockers and Isky double springs. The action takes place in the pocket-ported No. 77 heads that received hardened valve seats for unleaded fuel.

Topping the powerplant is a correct '65 Tri-Power induction system with an Ames metal reproduction ram-air pan. Exhaust is provided by Hooker headers with 1.75-inch primaries and 3-inch collectors, a Pypes 2.5-inch system with X-crossover, Xcelerator mufflers, custom tailpipes, and repro splitters. An MSD Pro Billet distributor, 6AL box, Blaster 2 coil, stock date-coded repop wires, and A/C plugs ensure a strong spark. A replacement HD clutch connects the engine to the factory M20 wide-ratio four-speed trans, and out back is a 3.36 rear with Safe-T-Track that was added by Dean.

By August 2005, the GTO was complete. In July 2006, it made the trip to Louisville, Kentucky, where it earned gold in the Concours Modified category at the 2006 GTOAA Nats. After three years of restification, Frank finally has the GTO he would have built in 1965 given the money, time, and absence of a heavy foot-and the resulting threat of vehicular seizure by his dad.

These Hurst wheels were purchased from Frank's friend Ilan Vilensky who had them on his '64 GTO. Though considered a modification by show judges, many hobbyists think they look like they were made for the '65 GTO.