The Enigmatic 1966 Pontiac GTO: Real Deal or Clever Clone?

Sometimes, spotting a classic car prompts more questions than answers. Following a look at a 1967 Pontiac Tempest GTO tribute, a different kind of Pontiac sighting sparked curiosity: a stunning Reef Turquoise 1966 Pontiac Gto. Or was it? Found parked outside a local eatery after a tip from family, this particular car presents an intriguing puzzle common in the world of classic muscle cars. Determining the authenticity of such a legendary vehicle isn’t always straightforward.

A GTO Legend: More Than Just Muscle

The Pontiac GTO is undeniably one of the founding fathers of the muscle car era. Its origin story is automotive legend: John DeLorean, then head of Pontiac, circumvented a General Motors corporate policy limiting engine size in mid-size cars. His team famously stuffed the powerful 389 cubic inch V8 from Pontiac’s full-size line into the lighter Tempest A-body platform, creating the GTO package for the 1964 model year. By the time GM brass discovered the project, public demand had exploded. The GTO was a runaway success, DeLorean secured his position, and nearly every other American manufacturer scrambled to follow suit, launching the horsepower wars of the late 60s. The GTO wasn’t just fast; it captured the spirit of a generation, becoming an instant icon.

The Turquoise Question Mark: Examining the Evidence

This particular Reef Turquoise example raises immediate questions. It features bucket seats but lacks a center console, instead sporting an automatic transmission shifter on the steering column. Checking period sales literature confirms that a column-shift automatic GTO was technically possible in 1966. However, it feels almost counterintuitive – pairing the GTO’s potent 389 engine (available with a standard 4-barrel carburetor or the famed Tri-Power triple 2-barrel setup) with the likely base offering: GM’s less-than-stellar two-speed automatic transmission. While Pontiac’s full-size cars proudly advertised the advanced Turbo Hydra-Matic, the GTO brochure simply listed an “automatic transmission,” almost as an afterthought. Perhaps only the GTO’s relatively light weight and ample torque could make such a pairing palatable.

The existence of Tempest-to-GTO conversions further muddies the water. Given the GTO’s desirability and value, countless owners over the years have transformed more common Pontiac Tempest and LeMans models into GTO clones. These conversions can range from simple badge-swapping to meticulous recreations that are nearly indistinguishable from the real thing without scrutinizing VIN numbers and build sheets – details often unavailable for a car spotted curbside.

Spotting Clues: Real GTO or Expertly Crafted Tempest?

So, is this Reef Turquoise beauty a genuine, albeit rare, column-shifted Goat, or a cleverly disguised Tempest 326 that underwent cosmetic surgery? Several details fuel the speculation. If someone were building a GTO clone, why stop short of installing the more desirable floor shifter and console? Why choose Reef Turquoise over a more common (and perhaps easier to resell) color like red? Where are the quintessential Rally wheels, often paired with redline tires?

Closer inspection reveals questionable body panel alignment, suggesting a restoration that might not be up to the standard expected for a truly rare GTO variant. There’s also a somewhat makeshift-looking console added between the seats. And while finding the car parked casually outside a restaurant, protected only by “The Club” steering wheel lock, doesn’t prove anything, it seems unusual for an exceptionally rare muscle car. Without documentation or a deep dive into Pontiac VINtracacies, definitive identification remains elusive.

Personal Connection: Memories of a ’66 Goat

Seeing this car evokes memories of a neighbor’s 1966 Pontiac Gto from childhood – a beige model with a black vinyl roof and, crucially, a four-speed manual transmission. One vivid detail was its optional plastic woodgrain steering wheel, which seemed incredibly cool at the time. Another memory involves leaving a black scuff mark from a Schwinn Stingray handlebar grip along its rear fender – an incident Mrs. Bordner, the owner, was not thrilled about, even though the mark rubbed out. She owned three GTOs over the years (’66, ’68, ’71), but the ’66 remained a favorite.

Still, back then, it didn’t quite have the neighborhood bragging rights of Mr. Colchin’s supercharged Studebaker Avanti down the street. To an eight-year-old, “supercharged” and “red” automatically meant faster, a perception reinforced by the Avanti’s 160 mph speedometer compared to the GTO’s mere 120 mph gauge. Only later did the significance of the GTO’s substantially larger engine (389ci vs. the Avanti R2’s 290ci) and higher horsepower become clear. Interestingly, this turquoise car lacks that memorable woodgrain steering wheel – perhaps another clue pointing towards a Tempest origin, or maybe it simply wasn’t optioned.

1966: The Pinnacle Year for the Pontiac GTO

Regardless of this specific car’s lineage, 1966 stands as a landmark year for the Pontiac GTO. It marked the model’s sales peak, with nearly 97,000 units sold – a remarkable achievement considering 1965 was an industry-wide record year. This figure underscores how perfectly Pontiac, under DeLorean’s guidance, captured the burgeoning youth market’s desires.

The 1966 model also received its first significant styling revision since the GTO’s 1964 debut. The new lines, characterized by subtle “Coke bottle” curves, stacked headlights, and a unique split grille, are widely regarded as some of the most beautiful of the muscle car era. Looking at the car today, its design appears almost flawless, a testament to the skill of Pontiac’s design team. Contemporary advertisements radiated confidence, often showcasing the GTO alongside other exciting Pontiac offerings like the innovative OHC 6 LeMans Sprint. Pontiac truly was “building excitement” in 1966.

An Unresolved Mystery, An Undeniable Appeal

So, is this Reef Turquoise 1966 Pontiac GTO the real McCoy or a well-executed tribute? Live or Memorex? Without definitive proof, the question lingers. It could be a rare column-shifted original, a skillfully crafted clone, or simply a beautiful Pontiac Tempest that adopted some GTO flair. As pointed out previously, even being “just” a Tempest from this era was significant; the basic A-body platform shared stunning good looks. Perhaps the distinction matters less than the presence of such a beautifully styled classic on today’s roads. One thing is certain: authentic GTO or not, this particular shade of Reef Turquoise is a refreshing and attractive alternative to the more commonly seen reds. It’s a head-turner, mystery and all.