Mike’s father was a Naval Aviator in training in Texas in the late 1960s. While there, he and another Navy pilot buddy both went to the local dealership and bought brand-new 1969 Pontiac GTOs. Mike’s dad eventually handed the GTO down to Mike. The car has been in the same family since new.
It looks a bit different now than it did when Mike’s dad bought it. This 1969 Pontiac GTO is a stunning build, a mix of originality blended with just enough contemporary stuff to make for a sexy, powerful Pro Touring custom.
It sits low, with an aggressive stance. It’s been set up for autocross work, and does so courtesy of the full Global West coil-over suspension. The Midnight Green color seems to change depending on the light, often appearing to be a deep, glossy black. The wheels are updated, oversized versions of the original Pontiac Rallye II wheels that came on the car, made to clear the massive Wilwood 14-inch disc brakes up front, with 13-inchers in the back. All the side moldings have been removed for a smooth look.
Anymore it is common to start a build like this by ripping out the original drivetrain and swapping it for an LS and modern transmission. But Mike opted to keep the original Pontiac GTO 400 cubic-inch block and use it as the basis of a Butler Performance 467 cubic-inch mill, pushing out an impressive 515 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque. The engine sports ported and polished aluminum heads, a roller cam, bigger carb, serpentine belt, and modern A/C. It is housed in a beautifully squared-away engine compartment, with all the wires and cables tucked. The whole affair is backed by a Tremec TKO 5-speed trans.
Looking at this Pontiac GTO is a feast for the eyes, but let us not ignore the aural beauty of that built motor. It cackles and rumbles with all the ferocity of a cammed V8 exhaling through MagnaFlow exhaust that certainly does nothing to hide the beast within.
The tan vinyl interior is very much like it was new, with the exception of the US Naval Aviator crest on the headrests, a tribute to Mike’s dad.
The most exceptional thing about this particular Pontiac GTO hot rod? Mike built it all himself and made videos of it for his YouTube channel Fast Montys Garage, so he could show others how to do the same.
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Comments
He took a valuable one-owner GTO and ruined it! Nothing to celebrate here
Looks Great Sounds Great, My dad was a big GTO fan he had 2 a 66 maroon black vinyl top 389 4spd and off the showroom floor 68 dark green, tan interior his and her shift 400 with hidden headlights. Your dad bought it paid for it and gave it to you, which means he want you to do what you want to do with it No Matter what others think. Am sure he’s smiling down on U, most kids would have sold or wrecked it, as for the wheels they are like shoes pick your style it’s all about U have fun and enjoy it
Thanks Roy! No need for him to smile down on my quite yet… ha, ha… my parents are both still with us. About to take Dad for a driving lesson… he still has yet to drive it since I finished. (He hasn’t driven a stick in 30 years, and is a little intimidated by the new power) It’ll happen though, and I’m going to film it… just like when he taught me how to drive, on the same car. Crazy. Thanks again!
Look at God, That’s the greatest gift that they are here with you to see the finished project and the way you Express yourself. Am sure he knows it like riding a bike you never forget how to do it the great thing about it he can’t fall off. I would definitely let him drive it that’s the Cycle of Life coming full Circle 😇
Ha! Good point Roy… really hard to fall off this bike. It’ll be fun! Thanks
Brother what do you mean? it’s a gorgeous build you’re crazy!!!
Call me old fashioned, or just old, but I’ve never liked the look of skinny tires on a car like this. Makes me wonder, where’s the meat? Not to mention the trade off on the ride. Big rims, skinny tires, to each his own. But it’s what about everyone uses now. Guess I have to agree with GTO Guy.
Not at fan of the wheels and tires. But at least he didn’t put an LS in and automagic trans. The Pontiac engine is way cooler
Not sure where you see the skinny tires.
Ha! He’s referring to the side wall height. Which is too small, in the rear especially. They’re currently 285/30 -20’s. I’ll be increasing that to a 295/35 – 20, which will increase the wall height. One thing is for sure, no body can keep up with me in the corners. 🙂
I agree, this build was guided by too many TV shows. Restomods can be nice but it’s always slam it to the ground and put on oversized rims with extremely low profile tires. Just does not look right. 18″ would look far better. Original’s were probably were 15″. The engine bay is sure nice. Very clean looking with air conditioning plumbing.
It was 19 when this GTO came out and the front end was so different, the same as the Firebird. Between the two it think they were the first with a painted soft nose bumper. With was a quite a look back in the day and us kids thought it was cool.
Thanks for the write up! (I’m the owner/builder) 🙂
Kudos to you and your father- you for the tribute build, him for his service and raising a good kid! Well, he and your mom, of course.
Thanks! Totally worth the reaction when I revealed it to my parents… Memories I’ll never forget.
I also dislike the low profile “skinny tires” on huge rims. Foose and Kindig have done custom wheels with (approximately) 20″ rims disguised to look like 1950’s white-walls, looks like 14″ rim with 3″ white-wall tire, but actually the 20″ (3+14+3) rim. What about that but in black? Could even paint Hoosier on the rim!
Nice build Mike, can I adopt you??🤣
Ha! Depends… how many grandkids do you want? Kidding… thanks for the compliment!
Mike I don’t care what no one say your car is beautiful inside and out I love it Mike awesome job
Thanks! That makes two of us… ha, ha…
Actually, he hasn’t ruined it at all….the biggest change visually are the wheels. Big deal, he didn’t have to cut it up to put those on. 100% with the suspension mods and bigger brakes it drives way better.
Thanks Michael! Yeah, drives waaaay better. My front brakes are so big, 18″ wheels do NOT fit. Which is super fun to actually drive twisties and keep up with Porsche’s and Corvettes. Can’t put it into words… thanks again.
Pontiac started in 1959 and for several decades marketed the “Wide Track”, pushed the wheel to the corners for lower center of gravity and up to a five inch wider track than the other GM cousins. After watching the video did I realized it is green, the photos make it look black. A good move to get a slightly taller rear tires. Just beautiful.
Thanks George!
Super nice! Rims&tires Great job.Love it
Thanks! Much appreciated!
AWESOME WHEELS.
Thanks! I love how they look like modern day Rallye wheels… but, can wear corvette tires. 🙂 Thanks!
Your car was the first car that sent me on the road to loving muscle cars, my cousin had dark green 69 with a 400ci. I’ll never forget that first ride. Too bad it’s long since gone.
But, keeping up with Porsche in the corners is pushing things a bit😉
Thanks Andy… yeah, I wasn’t counting Turbo’s and GT3’s… but, it corners like you wouldn’t believe.
Sweet wheels!! You guys over there doing thing.
I love it
Thanks Melvin!
Love Pontiac’s
Thanks! Me too!
From 1965 to 1970 every car company built a muscle car. They all had something that made them special. This car is more than special be very proud of what you have done. The car is beautiful.
Thanks Eric! I’m very proud… and love working on it, love driving it, love showing it off, and especially love telling the story. Thanks again!
I absolutely love the wheel selection where did you get them from thanks.
Thanks Manny! They’re US Mag, BandIt’s. I don’t know their sales channel, but they are online. Good luck!
Is that sweet thing for sale?
Brad, nope, not for sale… thanks for appreciating!
Awesome. I had a new, 1969 GTO I got in 1969. Drove it 10 years and 113000 miles but on one fateful trip to dispose of a battery, put the battery in the trunk and it flipped over when I went around a turn too fast. Acid ruined the back panels. Divorced with no money, I sold it in 1979 for $500! If I had it to do over (with money) I would install disk brakes all around, increase sway bar size and definitely do a front spoiler. Without the spoiler, downforce at 100 mph on the front wheels could be less than 200 lbs. DO NOT WANT A GTO TO TRY TO FLY LIKE SOME, EARLY CAMAROS. Definitely needed along with 5 speed so overdrive would allow >120 MPH under redline. Also would swap Pontiac engine for lighter aluminum Chevy engine which means changing mounts and drive shaft. Also would have some sort of low restriction exhaust but quiet enough to enjoy an (aftermarket) radio. Probably add a modern AC and electric cooling fans.
Where did you get your rims just beautiful