1966 Pontiac GTO 389 from North America

Summary:

Icon of another era!

Faults:

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

General Comments:

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.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 25th October, 2002

17th Jan 2004, 19:02

"Not only did the 389 have far less power..."

The gross horsepower ratings for the 389-4v and the (non-Ram Air) 400-4v were the same, 335.

19th Jan 2004, 08:11

I agree that the '67 stands out from both the prior model years as well as the later ones. It's too bad that Pontiac could not have incorporated some of those styling features into the 2004 GTO, kind of like Ford is doing with the 2005 Mustang. The new GTO is so boring looking, it may as well be a Lexus coupe.