I never, ever thought I would sell my ’65, but after realizing I’ve only driven it 424 miles since I built it in 2002, I’ve come to the realization that it deserves better.
This is an original California car with its original black license plates, bought new at Ulrich Pontiac in Culver City. It was ordered with the 215ci 6-cylinder, Muncie 4-speed, 3.23 Safe-T-Track, buckets and console, rally gauges, AM/FM, wood wheel, A/C, PB, PS, and remote mirror. I have the window sticker and protectoplate.
I replaced the original drivetrain with a 455, Muncie M-22, and 3.55 12-bolt. The 455 is the actual engine from the 2000 Car Craft issue (Comp 274, Edelbrock heads, Childs&Albert rods, TRW pistons, made 501hp at the crank). The M-22 was one of the first ones built from Auto Gear parts in 2001; this was another Car Craft article. The ’65-dated 12 bolt has Superior axles, an Eaton posi, and GM 3.55 gears and was built for a Chevy Hi Performance article in 2004. Exhaust are round-port Doug’s Headers and 2.5” mandrel bent pipes.
I converted to FAST EFI in 2002 long before there was a Pontiac EFI intake available. Wilson Manifolds converted a Victor intake and I bought their throttle body. The fuel system is ˝” stainless supply/return lines from Classic Tube, and Fuel Safe (Bend, OR) did a one-off custom aluminum fuel cell with internal bladder that fits in the factory tank location.
The chassis is all Global West with Koni adjustable shocks. Baer brakes all around; 13” in front and 12” at the rear. Wheels are custom offset American Racing Torque Thrust, 17x8” in front and 17x9.5” at rear, no rubbing whatsoever.
The car runs OK as is, but could really benefit from a professional EFI calibration. The clutch is a McLeod sintered iron RevLok, so I would recommend something milder for the street. The body and interior are basically untouched 50-year-old stuff so you know exactly what you’re getting. At least some of the paint looks to be original Nightwatch Blue and the black bucket seat interior is all factory issue except for the carpet. I finished what I could on the car when I worked at Car Craft and then went back to graduate school which consumed most of my time. I always had big plans to finish the car, but never did.
I have a small fortune wrapped up in the Lemans, and many good memories from my misspent youth, but it’s time to pass the torch to a new owner who will actually drive and enjoy the car. You will often hear the overused phrase “best of everything” but this car literally is it. I’ve cut no corners here; even the chassis fasteners are American sourced Grade 8 and many of the aluminum brackets are mil-spec hard anodized.
The price is $25,000. PM me if you have any questions and I’ll send you my number.
Tony N (former Car Craft Tech Editor)
