[Steve O]

OK, after a long search, I think I'm ready to pull the trigger and buy a 66 convertible GTO. I know the motor and trans are not original, thats ok. And the owner is a real nice guy, but he doesn't seem to know that much about GTO stuff. He claims the car has a 67 389 motor...no such thing!
How do I check body parts to make sure they are genuine GTO? I saw a 67 GTO advertised on ebay and the seller said he "thought" one of the fenders was from a 66 Tempest!
I need to know where to look, and what to look at. I am supposed to meet him again tomorrow night with my final offer!
Thanks.

Steve O
1968 Camaro convertible
1968 Mercedes 280 SL
and seriously looking for a 66-67 GTO!

[Steve O]

OK, after a long search, I think I'm ready to pull the trigger and buy a 66 convertible GTO. I know the motor and trans are not original, thats ok. And the owner is a real nice guy, but he doesn't seem to know that much about GTO stuff. He claims the car has a 67 389 motor...no such thing!
How do I check body parts to make sure they are genuine GTO? I saw a 67 GTO advertised on ebay and the seller said he "thought" one of the fenders was from a 66 Tempest!
I need to know where to look, and what to look at. I am supposed to meet him again tomorrow night with my final offer!
Thanks.

Steve O
1968 Camaro convertible
1968 Mercedes 280 SL
and seriously looking for a 66-67 GTO!

[goatless]

Steve, if you're not worried about the nonoriginal drivetrain I certainly wouldn't worry about a possible Tempest fender! The only difference between a Tempest and GTO fender is the location of some trim holes. If the holes were welded up no one will ever know.
I hope this one works out for you, if it doesn't I've still got that hardtop sittin' there . It's a whole lot cheaper than those others that you were looking at .
Good luck.
Jeremy

[WDCreech]

Now, you've got my curiosity up! Get the date code of the block, on the back of the distributer pad (usually a letter and three numbers), and the engine code. on the front of the right cylinder bank just under the head mounting surface (probably two letters). Post them here or you can e-mail me and I'll see what I can find.

Bill

[goatless]

BTW, make sure the VIN starts with 24267... If it doesn't the fender might not be the only part thats off of a Tempest.

[400 4spd.]

For that kind of money I would want nothing less than PHS documentation, and go from there. Also be sure the VIN is for a 66 GTO convertible. And lastly, (no offense meant by this,) if you aren't sure what differences there are between body components, do some more homework on GTOs before jumping on this one. Too many have been cloned from Lemans bodies.
Quick list;
66 and 67 fenders are different at the point where the header panel meets.
66 GTO and Lemans used different lower body trim, hood, grille, turn signals, and taillights. All of these are bolt ons. The rear body panel (tail light panel) is welded in. GTO was different in that the tail lights are much larger. If the welds around the inside (where it joins the 1/4 panels and floor) look like factory spot welds, that's what you want. To use GTO lights in a Lemans, the rear panel has to be replaced. Also see if any emblem holes were filled in around the GTO script on the inside of the 1/4's. For instance, where "Lemans" used to be.
Just my opinion...

[wholio]

Goatless, What do you have setting around for sale? Would it be a 66 or 67? I may be interested. Thanks Julian

[Steve O]

Thanks guys.
And Jeremy, I said I was gonna make him my final offer, I didn't say he was obliged to take it. I just want to make sure Im at least looking at a real GTO!

Thanks Bill, I need to know what to look for as far as heads, numbers and whatever else.
Identifying marks etc. Ive already driven the car...looked it over for rust, tweaks, etc. So far, a pretty amazing car. He's got other people looking at it too this weekend, one guy flying in from Vegas, another dealer from Texas (wonder if it the same guy I was talking to?), and another from here in L.A. Also, the bidding is going to start going crazy on ebay as it nears the end.
I've been so methodical and careful, I had better get to it! You know, S**T or get off the pot!?!


Steve O
1968 Camaro convertible
1968 Mercedes 280 SL
and seriously looking for a 66-67 GTO!

[Steve O]

400 4spd,
Thanks for the advice, and no offense taken. I have been doing the homework, bought 5 different restoration books and have been surfing the 'net, so to speak, gleaning every bit of GTO info I can get. And as I was checking for rust, filler, etc, I did check the tail panel area and all body panels. I am aware of clones, it is rampant in Camaros too, including fake vin tags. So, I think the body is OK, now my concern is the engine. I just need to know what to look for.
(Example...I know how to spot "double-hump" or "camel" heads on a 350 by the markings on them. I know how to identify a 4 bolt main, etc. But that's Chevy.) I just need these tips on a Pontiac. Like counting the freeze plugs, etc.

Steve O
1968 Camaro convertible
1968 Mercedes 280 SL
and seriously looking for a 66-67 GTO!

[goatless]

I left you some engine info over in the 66-67 section.

[Steve O]

http://www.stevewaddington.com/images/66gtoengine1.jpg

http://www.stevewaddington.com/images/66gtoengine2.jpg

This is the motor in question...what do you make of it?

Steve O
1968 Camaro convertible
1968 Mercedes 280 SL
and seriously looking for a 66-67 GTO!

[Steve O]

Good idea....let's move this over to the 66-67 GTO section. Thanks guys, for all your advice and opinions...I did buy a car, and it's the....(...continued in 66-67 section...)

Steve O
1968 Camaro convertible
1968 Mercedes 280 SL
and seriously looking for a 66-67 GTO!