1965 Pontiac GTO Convertibles - Beauty And The Beast

The original drivetrain, including the WS-code 389ci, was with the GTO when Ambrose purchased it. According to Jim, it was very complete. "When we pulled the engine, it was surprising how original it was-everything was correct. The upper radiator hose was the only item that had been replaced over the years. The hood was partially open while it sat, and the engine compartment was full of leaves and pine needles. I believe this kept water from entering the engine."

Remaining true to its concours-type restoration, Jim rebuilt the engine to stock specs. The numbers-matching block was bored 0.030-over, and the No. 77 cylinder heads were completely refurbished. A stock-replacement No. 068 camshaft with 288/302 degrees of duration and 0.407-inch lift actuates the valves. The trio of Rochester two-barrel carburetors is mounted atop an original cast-iron Tri-Power intake manifold (No. 9778878). The engine exhales through its original exhaust manifolds and a complete N.O.S. exhaust system, including Tri-Power-specific mufflers and tailpipes with resonators.

An Executive Decision
During the restoration, Ambrose sent his GTO's V.I.N. to PHS Automotive Services. In return, he received a broadcast sheet showing 34 total options and learned that Gay Pontiac in Dickinson, Texas, was the selling dealership. With it came an unexpected note from Jim Mattison explaining to Ambrose that his loaded GTO was actually ordered as a Pontiac company car and sent to the Houston Zone office. Once its short-lived tenure as a company vehicle was complete, it was then sent to Gay Pontiac for delivery to its first retail customer.

While such an event early in a car's life might not seem extraordinarily meaningful, Jim feels there's a bit more than meets the eye. His opinion is that this '65 GTO convertible was built especially for and delivered to John DeLorean-Pontiac's General Manager at the time.

He explained, "DeLorean was famous for flying into zones and using cool cars to transact business. Pontiac paperwork for the car has handwritten instruction for it to be hand-waxed upon delivery, and the GM executive billing number matches that of another GTO connected to DeLorean during a California visit. Gay Pontiac also had a connection to the Houston Zone office from Don Gay's successful racing career during the 60s. Though it can't be confirmed, the theory is certainly logical."

Bruce's Beast
Bruce first learned what became of his Pontiac in 2004 when a friend in Alabama approached him about a '65 GTO convertible he had found in the area. "It was at a restoration shop in Atlanta that went out of business just after the restoration began, and a collector in Alabama ended up with it. My friend heard about it and knew how much I loved '65s, so he called. When I heard of its color combination and that it was a stripper loaded only with performance options, I knew I had to have it, and that Jim Mott would perform the restoration," he recollected.

Bruce said he was first made aware of Jim Mott several years back. "I called about a car for sale, and found it had already sold. During our conversation, the seller mentioned Jim Mott Restorations and how great his work was, so I began asking around at various shows and found he had a superb reputation. I saw his work in person at the 2001 GTOAA Nationals in Red Wing, Minnesota, and knew from that point forward that Jim was the person for me. I was very happy with the Grenadier Red '64 GTO post coupe he restored for me (featured in HPP July '05), and sent this '65 to him for similar treatment."

Another Project
Of the day Bruce's GTO arrived, Jim recalled, "It still had attached to it the rotisserie brackets and doorjamb braces that support the body when it is separated from the frame. Parts were stolen off it at some point, and it needed a new trunk floor and front floor work, but otherwise, it was pretty solid. Bruce's GTO was finished using a process similar to that of Ambrose's, but single-stage paint was used instead. The body was treated to five coats of PPG Montero Red, and the final coat was color sanded and machine buffed.

"This car was originally equipped with performance options typically associated with hard-top drag cars, and finding them in a convertible is especially rare," Jim said. "It has the 360-horse 389ci Tri-Power engine, four-speed manual transmission, and a limited-slip differential. It's also equipped with a 3.90:1 axle ratio, which required a host of other options including metallic brake linings, heavy-duty springs and shock absorbers, a heavy-duty cooling system, and a close-ratio transmission."