Buy This 1965 GTO At SEMA And Drive It Home
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So what was the first muscle car? The Pontiac GTO? Many people think so. While the 1964 is the original, the 1965 is the signature model, adeptly facelifted with vertical headlights and crisp, angular lines—who wouldn’t want one? But what if a 1965 GTO was rebuilt with inspiration from Bob Tulius, Carrol Shelby, and even own Pontiac’s own Herb Adams? Presented here on eBay is just that Goat: a version of what these racers in the 1960s could have built if they had the technology we have today.
CoyBilt, the shop building this GTO, is run by Josiah Coy, who won the General Motors Award at SEMA in 2009 and First Place at the LA Roadster Show in 2010 with his black 1965 GTO restomod. This wunderkind was just 21 years old at the time.
What he plans to do with this GTO is to take it to the Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) event in November 2014 in Las Vegas, which is where all the manufacturers peddle their wares and show industry insiders a preview of things to come. It’s also a place where builders get to show their chops and attract attention from manufacturers and enthusiasts alike.
So what will make this Goat so special? Power will come from a 408cid LSX with dual throttle bodies and twin Paxton superchargers. Shifting chores will be handled by a TREMEC T-56 Magnum six-speed. Harnessing the power is a Roadster Shop chassis with IRS suspension. Helping things stop on a dime are Wilwood six-piston Superlite calipers on 14-inch two-piece rotors. The wheels (18 x 8 front/19 x 12.5 rear) with functional knock-off centers are custom one-offs inspired by the 1963 Corvette Grand Sport, and designed and made by Rushforth Wheels; they roll on Pirelli Pzero Corsas 265/45/18 and 345/35/19, respectively.
Inside you’ll find a 12-point roll cage to give the vintage race theme that’s being targeted. Tell your extra pals to hit the road, Jack, because the rear seat is being deleted for weight reduction. Custom-built Stewart Warner gauges from the team at Classic Instruments are discreetly utilized in the factory dashboard. A nice touch are the toggle switches like on many race cars of the 1960s.
Sounds sweet, right? Yet the project remains incomplete. The builder is looking for someone to step up to the plate financially to finish the build. A ton has been invested so far but whomever makes the dive will receive a finished GTO (a clone, really, as CoyBilt doesn’t have the heart to tear up an authentic Goat) and take delivery after SEMA 2014. This ain’t no trailer queen—this will be a very usable car and currently has a clear California title. Who’s on board?
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