[Ragtop Man]

2X on Keith's advice.

Skip the headers, chrome wheels and white letter tires -- the GP is a cool luxury car, not a hot rod.

If the seats are otherwise salvagable, I'd call SMS for the materials which they will have in stock, and get a good trim shop to stitch them up, then concentrate on sprucing up the detail items. You'd be surprised what some elbow grease and repro parts can do for an interior.

As for the paint, a thorough (but gentle) light high grit wet sand followed by a multi step buff will give you 85% of new paint for 10% of the cost. Just be super careful over the ridges and creases. There are several good tutorials on line.

The issue with darksider cars is that outside of the circle of big car fans, there just isn't much demand in the collector community unless they are highly optioned and painted in an original "it" color like a Barrier Blue '66, for example.

IMO, the true value in our cars is to drive them and enjoy them. They literally stop traffic, they are great on the road and I can tell you with 100% certainty, there will never be any more built like them as long as we or our children live.

[AROWHED]

"...the GP is a cool luxury car, not a hot rod."

I disagree. The GP can easily be both. A stock 65 GP is around 600 lbs heavier than a 65 GTO, but it's also a better looking car overall, roomier, handles well, has larger brakes, and when it comes down it any car can be built to be fast. It was Pontiac's top model...not just a LeMans option. Grand Prix's were Pontiac's answer to the high-selling Impala. The lack of large collector demand only reinforces the individuality of owning a GP. I've never seen another 65 GP at a car show that wasn't a Pontiac-only event. I get people asking me about mine all the time...at the gas pump, grocery store parking lot, even at a red light. Yes I put crazy wheels and huge tires on mine, but so do Goat owners.

Your end goal for the car really determines this, but if street performance is something you desire, your primary focus should be in the direction of increasing low and midrange torque, not necessarily high rpm power...it takes a lot to get 4400 lbs off the line and moving. Once they are actually needed to further enhance engine performance, headers for first gen Firebirds will usually fit, as both cars are rear steer.
Fabcraft is now making 3.55 rear gears, and Engineered Performance can convert your stock open differential into a posi. Upgrades to the trans as increasing power levels demand.

[Ragtop Man]

Gonna have to agree to disagree on this one.

Never doubted GP performance for a minute, but adding aftermarket to the exterior takes away from the clean long lines and the great sculpturing. Like wearing tennis shoes with a tux, at least to me.

Darksiders never fail to draw attention, wherever they go, my advice about values was directed to contemplating a body-off resto of a rusty car for an average guy, the money will never come back. Its a worthy car, for sure, just watch your money because they eat it FAST.

But then again, if that was the issue, you'd get a '69 GTO instead, any time that the resto shows do one, it drives a super high price.

[deadbug]

Originally Posted by AROWHED

"...the GP is a cool luxury car, not a hot rod."

I disagree. The GP can easily be both. A stock 65 GP is around 600 lbs heavier than a 65 GTO, but it's also a better looking car overall, roomier, handles well, has larger brakes, and when it comes down it any car can be built to be fast. It was Pontiac's top model...not just a LeMans option. Grand Prix's were Pontiac's answer to the high-selling Impala. The lack of large collector demand only reinforces the individuality of owning a GP. I've never seen another 65 GP at a car show that wasn't a Pontiac-only event. I get people asking me about mine all the time...at the gas pump, grocery store parking lot, even at a red light. Yes I put crazy wheels and huge tires on mine, but so do Goat owners.

Your end goal for the car really determines this, but if street performance is something you desire, your primary focus should be in the direction of increasing low and midrange torque, not necessarily high rpm power...it takes a lot to get 4400 lbs off the line and moving. Once they are actually needed to further enhance engine performance, headers for first gen Firebirds will usually fit, as both cars are rear steer.
Fabcraft is now making 3.55 rear gears, and Engineered Performance can convert your stock open differential into a posi. Upgrades to the trans as increasing power levels demand.

Thanks for the input, I am not really interested in high performance via headers, unless I can use headers as a performance improvement without making it sound like I was going for street performance. It I can do it quietly, I want the improvement, but if it makes people turn there heads, I am not interested. I'd prefer they turn their head based upon looks not sound.

thanks again.

[cuz68]

Originally Posted by AROWHED

"...the GP is a cool luxury car, not a hot rod."

I disagree. The GP can easily be both. A stock 65 GP is around 600 lbs heavier than a 65 GTO, but it's also a better looking car overall, roomier, handles well, has larger brakes, and when it comes down it any car can be built to be fast. It was Pontiac's top model...not just a LeMans option. Grand Prix's were Pontiac's answer to the high-selling Impala. The lack of large collector demand only reinforces the individuality of owning a GP. I've never seen another 65 GP at a car show that wasn't a Pontiac-only event. I get people asking me about mine all the time...at the gas pump, grocery store parking lot, even at a red light. Yes I put crazy wheels and huge tires on mine, but so do Goat owners.

Your end goal for the car really determines this, but if street performance is something you desire, your primary focus should be in the direction of increasing low and midrange torque, not necessarily high rpm power...it takes a lot to get 4400 lbs off the line and moving. Once they are actually needed to further enhance engine performance, headers for first gen Firebirds will usually fit, as both cars are rear steer.
Fabcraft is now making 3.55 rear gears, and Engineered Performance can convert your stock open differential into a posi. Upgrades to the trans as increasing power levels demand.

Would you please post a photo of the crome on the back of your car? Thank you Randy.

[deadbug]

Originally Posted by cuz68

Would you please post a photo of the crome on the back of your car? Thank you Randy.

Sorry, It is REAL LATE, but there are the pics.

[IMG]C:\Users\DJ\Pictures\GP[/IMG]

[deadbug]

Originally Posted by Ragtop Man

2X on Keith's advice.

Skip the headers, chrome wheels and white letter tires -- the GP is a cool luxury car, not a hot rod.

If the seats are otherwise salvagable, I'd call SMS for the materials which they will have in stock, and get a good trim shop to stitch them up, then concentrate on sprucing up the detail items. You'd be surprised what some elbow grease and repro parts can do for an interior.

As for the paint, a thorough (but gentle) light high grit wet sand followed by a multi step buff will give you 85% of new paint for 10% of the cost. Just be super careful over the ridges and creases. There are several good tutorials on line.

The issue with darksider cars is that outside of the circle of big car fans, there just isn't much demand in the collector community unless they are highly optioned and painted in an original "it" color like a Barrier Blue '66, for example.

IMO, the true value in our cars is to drive them and enjoy them. They literally stop traffic, they are great on the road and I can tell you with 100% certainty, there will never be any more built like them as long as we or our children live.

.
I share the same opinion about this vehicle. I am not out to impress anyone. I prefer the car be as original as possible, but am asking you darksiders your opinions before I make any further investments. I love this car and don't really care what anyone else thinks, but I DO wanna drive it out on the open highway, or back country roads.