1966 Pontiac GTO review from North America

Body rusted around rear window. This problem is common to all GTO's of this year and requires pro body work to repair.

I bought this 1966 Pontiac GTO about the same time that a friend of mine bought a 1967 GTO. I was able to do a close comparison of the two cars. By today's standards this would be a super muscle car, but when compared to the 1967 GTO 400 model it almost pales to insignificance. Both had the same body, but it was as if all the rough edges where taken out in the 1967 model; even the chrome trim was laid out better. And on the inside, the 400 cubic inch motor of the '67 was

100% more desirable. Not only did the 389 have far less power, but there was also far less high-performance goodies that you could buy for it to build it up. The 389 was, after all, originally a big block family car engine. I don't know if the 400 was an option in '66, but I can only say that if I were to spend the money to buy and restore the GTO today, I would pass on the '66 (unless it is a rare convertible) and look very hard for a '67.