400 H.O. 1967 Pontiac GTO - One-Owner Wonder Goat

Powertrain
Yes, after thinking about it on and off since 1967, Bob finally got his engine "Bobcatted." "About three years ago, my son contacted Milt Schornack regarding rebuilding the engine in my car," he tells HPP. "Milt stated that he could work my GTO's engine into his schedule. Having it rebuilt by 'Mr. Royal Bobcat' himself made up for the lost opportunity back when the car was new. Milt met with my son and me at the 2007 GTOAA Nationals and we mapped out a plan for the rebuild."

The block was bored to 0.040 over, the stock crank was cut 0.010/0.010-inch, and the factory cast rods were refurbished and fitted with ARP bolts. Replacement Sealed Power flat-top pistons were installed. Compression was reduced to run on pump gas and the stock 670 heads were mildly ported and fitted with 2.11/1.77 Manley SS valves. Milt chose a Melling 204/214-degrees duration at 0.050 hydraulic cam with 0.460/0.483 lift using 1.65:1 rockers.

Retained were the factory Q-jet carb, iron intake manifold, H.O. exhaust manifolds, and Delco distributor. However, Milt added a modernized Bobcat package per Bob's request. The carb's secondary metering rod hanger was modified to lift the rods an additional 0.010-inch, the ignition was recurved, and a Pertronix unit was installed under the cap. Heat risers for the intake were blocked, and adjustable, locking rocker-arm nuts came with the Comp Cams roller rockers.

"Milt was a pleasure to work with," Bob recalls. ". . . and he stayed in constant communication with me throughout the process."

4-Speeds by Darrell in Vermillion, Illinois, handled the rebuild of the M20 four-speed and the trans was reinstalled behind a Centerforce clutch. The 3.55 Safe-T-Track was totally rebuilt by Joe, and fresh gears were installed.

Conclusion
If you are wondering how successful the restoration was, consider the fact that the GTO has scored Gold from 2006 to 2009 at GTOAA (2008 it wasn't shown) and Gold for 2009 at POCI, the first time it was judged by the club.

While Sam appears to be next in line to carry on the family tradition with the GTO, he first has to contend with his 4-year-old daughter, Olivia, who is already convinced that it's hers. "Each time she sees the GTO she reminds me that it's hers," Sam says. "And that Dad's just taking care of it for her."

If that's not enough, Sam still has to wait in line for some seat time as Dad has not turned over the keys just yet. I guess we can say for this original owner that his love affair with his '67 400 H.O. post GTO is at 42 years and counting.

Bob extends special thanks to: "My son, Samuel, and to GTOAA members Bill Kirk, Terry Weiner, Bob Immekus and Darrell Roach for the countless hours they spent assisting us with my GTO."