[i82much]

my parents bought my 65 GTO in 83 or so, I got it from them around 91. Still stuck with the stupid thing even though everyone knows that Chevies are better.



kidding ...

[kingbuzzo]

The old man was always a chevy guy so I had to be different yet loyal to the fam.

Also went on an unforgettable road trip from Canada to Cali in my buddy's 76 FB right outta high school which sold me on the 2nd gen handling for life.

[rtp]

Growing up in a Pontiac Dealership is what did it for me.
Mom and Dad sold evering and borrowed as much as they could to buy the dealership in 1960....and my twin brother and I were teenagers.
Boy have I washed a lot of Pontiacs in my life.
First car was a 61 Catalina convert...tri power and a stick. My Mom always liked the short deck cars and a stick too.
Next car I actually owned was a 66 gto tri power with a stick
And then a 69 ram air 3 Judge ...a Pontiac engineer was in the store the first week I owned it and told me to get rid of the 744 cam...he shipped me a box with a complete ram air 4 top end and I installed the cam and heads myself...still a teenager in high school
This Pontiac engineer influenced me a lot.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by rtp

And then a 69 ram air 3 Judge ...a Pontiac engineer was in the store the first week I owned it and told me to get rid of the 744 cam...he shipped me a box with a complete ram air 4 top end and I installed the cam and heads myself...still a teenager in high school
This Pontiac engineer influenced me a lot.

Sounds like something Mac McKellar would do.

We kept burning out the aluminum manifolds running them on the street. Once the patches had patches welded on them my dad threw them out and made a set of shorty tubular headers.

Mac saw those and liked them and said "I'm going to grind you a cam for those."

He did. Even stamped the production numbers on the end.

Here's how that story ended up:

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...rs#post3809459 (post #81)

K

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by JUDGE3

Who influenced you to pontiacs, pontiac performance?

Dad.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524

https://www.motortrend.com/features/...-still-family/

http://wildaboutcarsonline.com/cgi-b...=9990396621018

[rtp]

Yes Dad for sure
Passed recently at 98 and was still talking about early SD's 425A trophy and Ram Air.
In 1962 we flew back to Pontiac and watched a 62 Bonneville convert be assembled and then drove it back to Utah just because you could do so at the time. It was a 425A trophy and a stick.
Those were the best days.

[tinindian68]

It’s really hard for me to write this. My dad passed away a few days ago and I don’t think I’ve fully come to grips with it. My dad was the one who even entertained the idea that I get into old cars to start. I remember being 14 and having stacks of Hot Rod, Car Craft, and High Performance Pontiac magazines. My dad was handy, but definitely not a car person or mechanic.

We were taking a ride, just he and I, to visit my grandmother that lived about 45 minutes away. I spotted a 68 Firebird at the back of a small used car lot. This was 1994. The car was pretty rough. I think my dad’s belief in me far outweighed my actual ability to fix this car.

It was $1500. Looking back, and knowing what I know now about cars, it was probably about right, but for me it may as well been $15,000. We finished our trip and came home. The next day, the car was in my driveway. A surprise from my father to me. My mother was less than enthused. My mom was very well aware of my abilities and thought this whole thing was a terrible idea.

That car was the one. The one that started my passion for cars, and especially for Pontiacs. By the time I was ready to drive, I had the Firebird looking pretty good. Lots of body work and paint, interior and a transmission rebuild and it was ready to go. It was my daily for years.

I’ve owned around 50 cars since then but none as special as that car. I still have it. It’s crazy to find such comfort in a thing, but when I sit in that car I can still feel my dad next to me. We had some great times and built some wonderful memories together thanks to that car. His health had been declining for a while now and I know that he’s in a better place now.

One of the last conversations I had with him was about the Firebird. I found a nice original 400 hood for it after looking for almost 20 years. He’s smiled when I told him about it. His eyes lit up when I told him it’s also got a factory hood tach.

Thank you dad, for always being in my corner no matter what, and instilling good old common sense and strong values into me as we worked on this car together.

[tempest1964]

I am truly sorry for your loss. Your Dad was a very special guy. It is obvious that he loved you very much. And that he supported and believed in you. You are a lucky man to have had such a wonderful Dad. I’m truly sorry for your loss.

[vertigto]

Sorry for your loss tinindian68. My Dad got me into cars/Pontiacs also. I was excited to take him for a ride when my GTO is done, but he passed in Oct. I know he will be with me though when I take that inaugural ride.

[3fastgtos]

My favorite uncle had a ‘68 GTO.

[70geeteeohh]

Growing up my parents rebuilt Chevelles, my dad had a 69 Chevelle SS 396, my mom had a 71 Chevelle Malibu and my brother had a 1970 Chevelle Malibu.

They were our daily driver cars back in the 90s
We had a ton of spare parts left over from the builds. So when I turned 15 my dad said we need to start looking for a car for when I turn 16. He asked me what I had in mind and without hesitation I said a.GTO. His reply was are you kidding me? All these extra parts and chevelles and you want a GTO?! I didn't ever get my GTO but from that day forward it was my dream car.

[Against the Wind]

My father bought a '71 GTO brand new when I was 15. About 7 yrs later, my little sister ran it into a ditch. As we were looking at it while it sat at a body shop; Dad said the ins. company had totaled it. I said let's keep it and drag race it. We bracket raced it for several years while always looking to go faster. The H/O and Jim Hand books were very much our guides as we made improvements. We eventually ended up with a '72 HO headed 455 that ran consistent 10.80's-90's. This was at 3500 lbs and back in the late '70's was considered pretty damn quick. There weren't a ton of aftermarket speed parts for Pontiacs in those days. That Goat would always be quicker than a certain 460 Ford Mustang that wanted so badly to outrun us. I then ran a Pontiac powered Trans Am in S/G for many years. My father and I have loved Pontiacs since the '70's. so I guess you could say my father and that '71 GTO started my love for Ponchos.

[jhein]

Originally Posted by tinindian68

It’s really hard for me to write this. My dad passed away a few days ago and I don’t think I’ve fully come to grips with it. My dad was the one who even entertained the idea that I get into old cars to start. I remember being 14 and having stacks of Hot Rod, Car Craft, and High Performance Pontiac magazines. My dad was handy, but definitely not a car person or mechanic.

We were taking a ride, just he and I, to visit my grandmother that lived about 45 minutes away. I spotted a 68 Firebird at the back of a small used car lot. This was 1994. The car was pretty rough. I think my dad’s belief in me far outweighed my actual ability to fix this car.

It was $1500. Looking back, and knowing what I know now about cars, it was probably about right, but for me it may as well been $15,000. We finished our trip and came home. The next day, the car was in my driveway. A surprise from my father to me. My mother was less than enthused. My mom was very well aware of my abilities and thought this whole thing was a terrible idea.

That car was the one. The one that started my passion for cars, and especially for Pontiacs. By the time I was ready to drive, I had the Firebird looking pretty good. Lots of body work and paint, interior and a transmission rebuild and it was ready to go. It was my daily for years.

I’ve owned around 50 cars since then but none as special as that car. I still have it. It’s crazy to find such comfort in a thing, but when I sit in that car I can still feel my dad next to me. We had some great times and built some wonderful memories together thanks to that car. His health had been declining for a while now and I know that he’s in a better place now.

One of the last conversations I had with him was about the Firebird. I found a nice original 400 hood for it after looking for almost 20 years. He’s smiled when I told him about it. His eyes lit up when I told him it’s also got a factory hood tach.

Thank you dad, for always being in my corner no matter what, and instilling good old common sense and strong values into me as we worked on this car together.

That's a great story and it's beyond the greatest, coolest thing ever that you still have that car.

And, I'm very sorry for your loss.

[Old Goat Racer]

NOBODY ! I went shopping in 1964 for a used car. I wanted to buy a 64 GTO but my mom wouldn't co-sign the loan because I was 1-A in the draft.
My step-dad was an Oldsmobile guy so we found a 59 Olds. It was white with a Red top. 394 cu-in. No thanks. Then we saw a 59 Catalina. It was Red with a white top. 389 cu in 2-barrel. I drove it home. The rest is history.

[dv657172]

In my senior year of HS (1983) I worked as an intern at Krogers Erie marketing division HQ in Solon, OH and met a great lady with a green 69 GTO. Fell in love with that car.

In 1987, sold my daily driver and wanted a muscle car and found a 1972 GTO at a used car dealership. Test drove a better condition and cheaper 63 Ford Galazie but the red 72 GTO just wouldnt let me go. So $4,750 later it was mine.

Turned out that the dealership owner's son was also into 71-72 GTOs and his bestfriend was the then husband of the lady I worked with in 1983 who had the 69 GTO. Small world.

Still have the 72 and other GTOs. Still in love with all of them despite ignoring them for years to chase a Wall Street career. Making up for lost time now with them. Hence all the questions I post for help and advise, which I appreciate greatly all your replies!

DV

[Mr_GTO]

1984, I was at KMart with my mom I believe and they used to have a good selection of model cars. I saw a AMT 1965 GTO kit. My mom bought it for me. Maybe that year or a year later at the old Taunton Dog Track there used to be a swap me. That's where I met Steve Ames. He had a trailer with parts. I got a catalog and he was very nice to take the time to talk to me about GTO's. I brought the catalog home and ordered a shirt or two, probably a few other things. A few years later, with help from my dad, I was able to buy my first 1966 GTO. From there I met a few other fellows that are on this board who have become lifelong friends.

As time has gone on I had to sell all my cars. I moved to FL and I hope, with in a year, I'm back in a convertible. Not sure what car it will be but for certain it will be a convertible hopefully with a stick.

[besserspat]

I'll spare you guys why I ended spending my entire life in racing and the car industry. .

So I'll somewhat fast forward and laser focus only on the Pontiacs ( because I own and like other brands too).

As a kid I truly appreciated "The Rockford files" then "Smokey and the bandit" made me want a TA.

One of the movies that I knew every lines by the age of 12 was "Slap Shot". To this day I still lust over owning Reggie Dunlop's 1970 GTO Gold/ Black Vinyl top, 4 speed, maybe not the movie car but ill build a clone and I would blast Maxine Nightingale's " Right back where we started " or "A Little bit of Saskatoon" in the 8 track....

When I was 14 one of my best friend's was a true gearhead , they had a huge garage at home, his das was a me hani
and his entire neiborhood was filled with automotive tradesmen.

He had a soft spot for Pontiacs, my I wanted Camaro and Corvettes. When we were 16 he was driving a very clean black on red 79 Lemans built like a Grand Am. I had a white 1980 Z/28.

One nigh we borrowed his dad's S15 pick up and a Uhaul car dolley because he had bought a reddish 1978 Trans Am project advertised in the Auto Trader
magazine.

The car was 4 hours drive away, when we got there it was quite rusted and the red paint was quite faded along with the black chicken on the hood ( northeast car).

But the freakin's stance that car had, parked in the weeds , the shaker hood, 255 60 15s on 8" snowflakes all around , Hadtop, and a swapped 455 and 4 speed in it.,

Opened the driver door to discove the hurst T handle, black velvet buckets and the machined dash bezel....

I told myself that my Z28 was just a pale version of what this TA was all about.

I think that was the car that somewhat sealed the deal for me when it comes to Ponchos

The kicker is my friend kept the car maybe 2 months and sold it back when he realized how much bodywork the car needed... He never told me he was selling it , pretty sure he didnt want me to buy it lol

Peter

[limejudge69]

In 1984 I was 14 years old. I have a first cousin who is 2 yrs older than me. He got his license and when he pulled into my driveway in a metallic blue 68 GTO with hideaways., it was the most gorgeous hunk of metal I had ever seen. It had a swapped 455 with dual gate shifter and 3.55 STT rear. I was instantly hooked and have owned 12 GTO’s , including 69 and 70 Judges, from 66-73., along with 3 first gen Firebirds.

[PontiacHO]

Sold my 63 Chevy II (307 V8) and found a 68 Firebird HO on a used car lot in 1975. That car sealed my loyalty to Pontiac.
My buddy had a 66 Lemans so we wrenched on the cars together. Young and dumb, I crashed and ruined the Firebird. Finally got another one back in April after retirement.

[Jack Gifford]

In high school a friend a year ahead of me got a brand new '57 Pontiac with Tri-Power- lucky son of a successful farmer. In '58 he swapped the engine for a '58 since he was more comfortable dragracing with a forged crank and forged rods- plus more displacement. In '59 I bought the '57 engine from him- been running Pontiac engines ever since.