[400 4spd.]

Great find, and I really like the red/red color combo. Over here on the east coast, my son is patiently pursuing a neighbor's one-owner blue/blue 66 convertible bought new in California. It's nice to see them coming to light again.

[60sstuff]

Originally Posted by 400 4spd.

Great find, and I really like the red/red color combo. Over here on the east coast, my son is patiently pursuing a neighbor's one-owner blue/blue 66 convertible bought new in California. It's nice to see them coming to light again.

Another nice ‘66.
Fontaine Blue met. with Ivory Top.
Dark Blue interior.

Plus a #616 A.I.R. car.

Good luck to your son hoping he can secure it someday.

[geeteeohguy]

Originally Posted by 400 4spd.

Great find, and I really like the red/red color combo. Over here on the east coast, my son is patiently pursuing a neighbor's one-owner blue/blue 66 convertible bought new in California. It's nice to see them coming to light again.

Looks much nicer than mine, at least body and top-wise! Engine has been repainted '65 turquoise, so may be rebuilt. Super cool cars. Keep us updated!!

[Greg Reid]

What are people doing with the single reservoir manual brakes? Anyone OK with just leaving them as-is?
My first car had them and I don't recall being afraid but I was 16.. .;-)

[60sstuff]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

What are people doing with the single reservoir manual brakes? Anyone OK with just leaving them as-is?
My first car had them and I don't recall being afraid but I was 16.. .;-)

Not sure of your question?
Both my OEM ‘65 and ‘66 single master cylinders were sent out to be s/s sleeved and seals.
They work perfectly fine just as they were intended when the cars were new.
Also did the same to all 4 wheel cylinders.

[Greg Reid]

That's exactly what I'm asking about, that is, how many have chosen to skip a dual master, power brake upgrade and drive it as it was designed.

[geeteeohguy]

Been running original single pot master cylinders on all my cars that came with them for 45+ years. 1930's and 40's cars, my '61 Corvette, '65 and '66 GTO's over the years, etc.
The drum brakes will lock a wheel as well as a disc on a panic stop....just not many times in a row. Disc brakes up front are a legit upgrade, in the rear are a waste and a down-grade, IMO. I drive 4 wheel drums both power and manual and have for decades and hundreds of thousands of miles and I'm still here. But then, I don't talk on the phone or eat while driving.

[Greg Reid]

Well, that's about the way I feel about it, just wondered if I was the lone ranger here. I'm a pretty conservative driver anyway so I don't foresee many sudden stops at the end of a quarter mile. Like everything else on the car, maintenance is the key to proper operation.

[Mister Pontiac]

My only complaint with the single pot is what happens when you have a slow leak somewhere? One stop, you have brakes. The next stop, you don't.

I know, keep an eye on the level, proper maintenance, all that. But more than one time, I've had a leaky wheel cylinder or a pin hole in an old line, oozing soft line, etc... and sure enough. Empty Master! But I just checked it last week?! Oh wait, I guess that was a few hundred miles and dozens & dozens of stops ago...

With the dual reservoirs, it's never a problem. You still have two wheels doing the stopping, and you can feel the difference in the pedal the first time the cylinder goes dry. Easy fix after that, and I have no worry factor.

Granted, all of mine are 67 and up, so all factory equipped with dual Master's, but if I had a 66 or older, I'm pretty sure that would be the first thing I would change if I was planning to drive it all the time. That's just been my experience.

[Greg Reid]

Well, it'll be a long way before I get to that point. I know I'm not doing discs anywhere but I may go dual and I may be convinced to go power while I'm doing it. Been a long time since I've had a manual brake car.

[geeteeohguy]

Originally Posted by Mister Pontiac

My only complaint with the single pot is what happens when you have a slow leak somewhere? One stop, you have brakes. The next stop, you don't.

I know, keep an eye on the level, proper maintenance, all that. But more than one time, I've had a leaky wheel cylinder or a pin hole in an old line, oozing soft line, etc... and sure enough. Empty Master! But I just checked it last week?! Oh wait, I guess that was a few hundred miles and dozens & dozens of stops ago...

With the dual reservoirs, it's never a problem. You still have two wheels doing the stopping, and you can feel the difference in the pedal the first time the cylinder goes dry. Easy fix after that, and I have no worry factor.

Granted, all of mine are 67 and up, so all factory equipped with dual Master's, but if I had a 66 or older, I'm pretty sure that would be the first thing I would change if I was planning to drive it all the time. That's just been my experience.

40 years ago I blew the left front rubber brake hose on the '65 after I pulled of the freeway near the end of my 51 mile drive to work. Was on a local expressway about half a mile from my shop when the light was turning red and I applied the brakes, but the pedal kept on going and the car kept on going. I was in third gear going 40-ish mph and shifted down into second and applied the parking brake gently and got the car stopped. When the light changed, I limped it into our parking lot and changed out the hose at lunch time. I was a mechanic at the time and kept everything ship-shape, and still do, but this was a first. In the 40 years since, I have never blown another rubber brake line. I've had them get clogged internally and get brittle and cracked and signal needed replacement, but never had one blow out. At the time, the car was 20 years old and so was the rubber line. I am ok with running single pot master cylinders. But hey, I drive 100 year old cars with no seat belts and motorcycles, too. That said, there is NO disadvantage other than appearance of upgrading to a dual master. And it is FOR SURE safer.

[geeteeohguy]

Drove the GTO yesterday to get gas and shake it down. About 4 miles. Tires are petrified and not safe. The clutch was stuck but freed up easily by putting it in reverse and hitting the starter with my foot on the brake. The engine runs like a Swiss watch, but has blowby out of the breather. On hard acceleration, I get blue smoke from both pipes. It's whisper quiet, with the smoothest, most silent Muncie I've ever driven. No vibrations, rattles, etc. The plan now is to replace the broken front windshield, fix the windshield gutter area, install the new convertible top, install the new interior, buff out what's left of the paint, put new tires on it, and start driving it. If the rings don't 'come around' and it keeps pumping oil, I'll pull the engine and rebuild it. But at least by then it will be a complete car and not just a resurrected shell, which is what it is now.

[Mister Pontiac]

Originally Posted by geeteeohguy

But hey, I drive 100 year old cars with no seat belts and motorcycles, too.

I knew I liked you, Jeff.

Incidentally, great to hear you have the 66 out and about! More pics too, please.

[Sloan66]

Thanks for taking the time to document this amazing car! Agree with your approach, enjoy! Is all the exhaust original?

[george kujanski]

Did a panic stop on my van many years ago... heard a pop and the pedal dropped further, but it stopped. rear line blew due to rust.

I won't trust a single reservoir master.
I understand keeping a car original but draw the line at safety improvements.

George

[4dblnkldude]

Congrats!! Cool car

[geeteeohguy]

Originally Posted by Sloan66

Thanks for taking the time to document this amazing car! Agree with your approach, enjoy! Is all the exhaust original?

The manifolds have never been off, and the headpipes look original. The mufflers were replaced in the '70's and the resonators were not re-installed with the new tailpipes at that time. As it is, it's whisper quiet. No exhaust leaks at all.

[geeteeohguy]

Did the front Upper A arm bushings. They were the originals. Original ball joints were/are still nice and tight, so were left alone. I've never had a set of bushings fight me so bad, but then, these have been in place since 1966. I noticed the factory paper tags are still on the front springs. LOL.

[b-man]

Nice original car that just needs a few things as one might expect.

You hit the jackpot on this sweet ragtop GTO.

[geeteeohguy]

Originally Posted by b-man

Nice original car that just needs a few things as one might expect.

You hit the jackpot on this sweet ragtop GTO.

I agree. Most stuff is simply worn out or tarnished. Nothing was really broken or abused. Just honest wear and tear from being used as 24/7/365 transportation for 15 years and then, thankfully, parked inside a garage with the interior stored inside the house!
Windshield channel and glass next on the list, then onto re-installing the interior and some new tires. I have an original set of old Rally I's for the car I'm going to use.