Back on PY after quite a few years
 

Well I decided to jump back on here after about 4+ years. Had a quite a few life changes with a move to a new ranch, getting married and building a shop and new car.

My 66 was my first car that I drove to high school, street raced it in the late 80's early 90's then started racing Nostalgia Super Stock in NMCA, NSCA and the old Edelbrock Pro Series races. Last summer I decided to retire the car after 30+ years of racing it and return it back to a 60's street cruiser. The car was very good to me with quite a few Championships and many wins. Car went the best of 9.77 in street trim with junky old AFB's, stock suspension and 433 inches.

Fast forward, a friend called me last summer wanting to help his dad sell a 65 GTO body and frame due to illness. Local GA car from Boomershine Pontiac.Low mileage car showing 40K on the clock and was sitting since 1974. PHS shows real 65 GTO, minimal options other than console, 3.23 Safe-T-track.

Wanted a car like my 66 with stock suspension, full interior, mufflers etc that I could run in Nostalgia Super Stock and some local 28" tire classes and also an engine swap for NHRA/IHRA Super Stock GT.

The 65 was built in 6 months in my shop. Chrome moly 8.50 cage, stock suspension locations, stock A arm front end, full interior all the running gear out of my 66. The car is also street leagal.
Finishing the 65 this weekend with its first passes next Thursday at South Ga Motorsports Park.
Here are a few pics of my 66 at the last race in October.

And the new 65

A few more

Welcome back! Glad to hear all the updates. You can't go wrong with a pretty '65.

Not sure when our paths will cross now that the NMCA is no more. I'm feeling a bit adrift.

Scott was just down at South GA doing some testing in his COPO. He's got a big year planned running IHRA.

You are always welcome should you decide to come to Michigan for vacation.

K

Thanks Keith, Not sure where all I will be as I have many irons in the fire. I do know some NDRL, and some IHRA events since I am working for them right now.

saw that you had been involved with the IHRA, looks like the winds of change within the corporation, assume, new owner wants fresh ideas instead of same bodies that have been involved in the slow process to its most recent state, before ownership change?
nice new 65!

Welcome back cowboy! You were missed

amazing!

I nice to have you back. I run the MT Pro Bracket Radials (best tire ever) and the K&P oil filter from your suggestions here.
You were missed.

Welcome back! I made the Atlanta NMCA race a couple of years back in the 90s running my 78 in Top Stock.

I’ve always liked the Tiger Gold. Beautiful car!

There have been a lot of changes in leadership and down the chain. The owner of the IHRA is wanting fresh ideas and doesn't like laziness. He wants the motorsports industry to grow and doesn't settle.
I wasn't looking for a "job" and was happy doing the Horse and Cattle thing. They reached out to me to concentrate on race series sponsor acquisitions, and to be honest it's hard to keep up with all the IHRA is buying.

Thanks, still running the 28x9 on this 65. My 66 was around a .10 faster on them than any other tire.
K&P filter is awesome. I have 2 of them in use and wouldn't trade them for any filter.

Welcome back Mike! Beautiful car.

I did add a Frantz by pass filter to get the small stuff. I think they work really well together.

Two beautiful cars and you made quick work of that 65, incredible

Welcome Back and Man you have some nice cars! Love the Gold!

What is that Wheel off of? Never seen the Foam in that style. I have one like it but in Wood on my 69 Firebird.

I believe it's a Grant wheel. I bought it through summit as I could not get in the car with the factory wheel and roll cage. It's 15" vs 16.

Do you know if that Tiger Gold color on your car is the exact stock gold color?

Via a post from you years ago, I reached out and contacted Mark Myers 2-3 years ago. Had a nice conversation!!

It is not an exact match. I tried a few Tiger Gold codes and they all were very different from each other. Some were very brown and some were more green. I ended up using 1978 Trans Am Solar gold and adding a little yellow pearl and some fine metallic. Not 100% happy with it but needed to get it sprayed before the season started.
Here are a few pics from last weekend, and you can see how it looks different in each one. Finished the car on Wed and made the 1st pass Thursday morning....1st time down the track.

Not to sidetrack your thread but we took the funny car to SGMP for license runs at the Pre-Gators testing, years ago. I loved that track!

Eric

Very nice cars. My favorite all time is the 65 GTO sedan. Good to hear of your accomplishments. Funny I always wanted a 65 and all I have in the garage are Firebirds.

I like that color.
I've read a lot here of folks painting the tiger gold. Few like the original color much. I think yours passes for tiger gold and looks good.
I have a 68 chevy pickup. 68 was the golden anniversary for the chevy pickup. I didn't know this when I bought it, as a 22 year old. The chevy gold and tiger might be the same. My first thought, ugly...

That’s a nice looking car. I like how it’s somewhat subtle but carries a big stick. That’s the look that I like.

I like them to look mild. Full interior, mufflers/exhaust, stock suspension, license plate, painted engine/heads etc. I even tried to hide the cage from outside the car as much as possible.

Welcome back Mike. My car and my son's 69 Bird follow this pattern. Nothing better in my opinion than a 'clean sleeper'. Especially at the track!