[jerry455]

I had a red-on-red base GTO, automatic, 3.08 gear ps, power drum brakes, believe it or not, back in the early 80's. It was a fun car that I bought with a broken 350. I built a mild 1971 YS 400 for it and that was a blast.

[Beers]

I think this would be a great project Ken, and you two would have a lot of fun with it. Good luck on your decision.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Local people really will think its a nova that some kid modified because he really wanted a GTO or TA but granny gave him her old nova. So he split the difference.

Functional shaker scoop is very cool.
I don't think console gauges were offered in the Pontiac. But they are cool
Tach is a little small thing like a clock , to one side.

The heads have screw-in studs usually.
Hatchbacks had a tent option.

The factory decals and GTO font style never looked right to me.

If he gets it let him do his own thing with it whether its factory correct or not.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Reading back others responses it sounds like you could get console gauges.
I've seen the tachs but not the gauges - except in early camaros and some novas.

[Held for Ransom]

Originally Posted by Baron Von Zeppelin

Reading back others responses it sounds like you could get console gauges.
I've seen the tachs but not the gauges - except in early Camaros and some Novas.

Yes, you could. I vote yes to the '74 GTO.

[carbking]

Yes, console gauges were available.

Dash tach is small, I added a Judge repro hood tach to mine.

Jon

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Did the custom models have better door panels and seats than non-custom ?
I think the one I had was a custom, with a trunk.

[Mr Anonymous]

My HS footballl coach had one. I love the things.

[Verdoro 68]

It's cool how much love there is for these cars. I was looking though an old thread with Dennis' black '74 - so nice and inspiring!

This one has a console with the gauges - or at least a set that comes with it. I had to dust off my ancient GTO recognition guide last night to brush up on trim codes and such. Out of curiosity, will ram air manifolds fit these things?

We're heading over this afternoon to take a look. I'm going to stop by the bank first Wish us luck!

[John Milner]

Originally Posted by Verdoro 68

It's cool how much love there is for these cars. I was looking though an old thread with Dennis' black '74 - so nice and inspiring!

This one has a console with the gauges - or at least a set that comes with it. I had to dust off my ancient GTO recognition guide last night to brush up on trim codes and such. Out of curiosity, will ram air manifolds fit these things?

We're heading over this afternoon to take a look. I'm going to stop by the bank first Wish us luck!

The long branch manifolds off of a 67-69 Firebird will fit. A body ram air manifolds do not fit.

[71GP76TA]

When I was a little kid (6yo). A guy my dad worked with bought one new. It was red with white interior. He traded in a '73 Nova SS that was red with black interior. I remember my dad asking him why he did that as they were basically the same car.

[carbking]

The 67-69 long branch manifolds will fit (snugly) IF YOU HAVE MANUAL STEERING!

They will NOT fit if you have power steering. The power steering box is about 1/4 inch wider than the manual box.

Now, if you have power steering, and think OK how hard is it to change to manual.

The box isn't difficult, and not overly expensive, BUT the drag link from an automatic box will not fit the manual box.

Unless the drag link has been reproduced (I don't know, I finally found one, and don't need another), they are rarer than an honest politician, and more expensive than the Mona Lisa IF you find one at all.

25 years ago, I spent a year and a half looking, and about $300 when I FINALLY found one! At that point in time, I had made all the other changes, and the car was not driveable without the drag link; its only money!

Jon

[Verdoro 68]

Tool a look at the car this afternoon. It's solid and straight! Some random patches of bondo around the car for dents and dings, but no major damage as far as I could find. Looks like it may have been repainted at some point but it's hard to say given the layers of primer. The front bumper filler is missing. Are those available?

It's originally a So. Cal/Arizona so the interior is completely toast. Nothing is really usable at all. Someone did a groovy job in the '70s recovering the seats and door panels in velour. It originally had the deluxe interior with the hard shell door panels which I know are expensive. It has the console with the gauges, but the console has been hacked up. I'll have to look into availability of those parts, but I don't think the rear panels are available.

Engine was rebuilt 10 years ago and has minimal miles on it. The car has been started and run regularly, but not on the road for 10 years. Rear main and trans leak. Starts and idles great. Suspension and brakes are fresh and recently redone. New bushings and springs, new gas tank and fuel lines. Someone put a TH400 in it at some point and it was converted back to a 4 speed. New tires on 18" bandits.

Comes with new weatherstripping, carpet, front and rear windshields and a ton of parts. Originally Buccaneer red with a black vinyl top and a red interior. I ordered PHS so we'll see what else it came with. The VIN has a Y in it, so it's not a Custom. No indication of window trim chrome or rocker chrome either.

All in all I think it's a super solid project even if it's a little on the homely side at the moment. It would be a beauty restored.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

Mine was Burgandy with White Buckets 4spd console ps pdb #s car.
I still have it , and likely going to part it out if I ever lay hands on it again.

Bought in late 80's , it had a minor wreck and needed header panel , grill, driver fender , hood.
Bumper was not touched in wreck.

I was a serious junkyarder back then and sourced all needed
Mostly from one donor.
Was going to keep it and give to my youngest brother (16 years younger) when he got of age and income to do a car.

Big tree dropped across the roof a couple or few years later.
Just said -F- it.
Been sitting outside ever since in my parts car sanctuary.

I have a good front bumper filler complete and console if you guys buy that car.
Pulled the seats and door panels out a long time ago and brought inside with the shaker after the tree.
Most things will probably be cost prohibitive shipping coast to coast.
But I have what was basically a complete #s car that isn't doing anything or going anywhere.

Brother ended up getting a Much Better car from me , fairly cheap.
And he still has it.

[Verdoro 68]

Looks like I got my codes wrong. It’s red with a white top and a white interior. Still not a bad combo, but I’d leave the vinyl top off.

[lust4speed]

A friend in our town has an absolutely beautiful original dark metallic green 396 SS Nova with a black vinyl top. Getting a 74 GTO and painting it Pinemist Green with a black vinyl top and adding a 400 or 455 stroker motor would satisfy my cravings and I wouldn't have my Pontiac friends throwing rocks at me when I drove by.

[Held for Ransom]

Originally Posted by lust4speed

A friend in our town has an absolutely beautiful original dark metallic green 396 SS Nova with a black vinyl top. Getting a 74 GTO and painting it Pinemist Green with a black vinyl top and adding a 400 or 455 stroker motor would satisfy my cravings and I wouldn't have my Pontiac friends throwing rocks at me when I drove by.

I like member Rob B wife's car.

[carbking]

(Opinion) Red with white interior is georgeous when new; red with black interior is much more practical.

Wish my '74 had been red with any color interior rather than the BSG exterior.

Jon.

[importsmasher]

Originally Posted by carbking

The 67-69 long branch manifolds will fit (snugly) IF YOU HAVE MANUAL STEERING!

They will NOT fit if you have power steering. The power steering box is about 1/4 inch wider than the manual box.

Now, if you have power steering, and think OK how hard is it to change to manual.

The box isn't difficult, and not overly expensive, BUT the drag link from an automatic box will not fit the manual box.

Unless the drag link has been reproduced (I don't know, I finally found one, and don't need another), they are rarer than an honest politician, and more expensive than the Mona Lisa IF you find one at all.

25 years ago, I spent a year and a half looking, and about $300 when I FINALLY found one! At that point in time, I had made all the other changes, and the car was not driveable without the drag link; its only money!

Jon

That is not true. I have long branch manifolds on my 74 GTO with manual steering, and I have at least an inch of clearance; certainly enough to fit a power steering box. Plus, this is essentially the same subframe as the first Gen Firebird, and you could absolutely get a Ram Air engine with power steering in a Firebird. My nephew has a 69 Firebird with long branches and power steering.

I will agree with the difficulty of finding a manual steering Pitman arm for these cars. I had trouble finding one 30 years ago.

Importsmasher

[Verdoro 68]

I let the seller know I'd pay his asking. I actually brought the cash yesterday, but he wanted to think on it.

He sent me the PHS last night which doesn't show A/C, power steering or power brakes. The PS and PB could have easily been added- he mentioned he did the steering and brakes. The lack of A/C on the invoice is confusing. What's left of the A/C setup sure looks factory to me, and it would make sense for an Arizona car.