[433lemans]

I'll be honest. As a pure Pontiac guy, if I walk by your beautiful car as shown and see an LS motor under the hood, I'll just go, meh, and walk on. Just another "corporate" car. No longer a classic in my mind,
It's yours to do what you want. JMO

[b-man]

Thread linked below chronicling the restoration of one PY member’s 1967 GTO which happened to be his first car, so sentimental value ruled over the build. Done rather quickly by a competent shop within 6 months at the cost of around 70k if I recall correctly.

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...ighlight=Heart

Restoration was finished in 2006 so that 70k would easily be double that or more nowadays. Add to that cost if you’re doing the Pro Touring suspension, brake and wheel / tire and everything else that’s not stock.

Sure doing as much labor yourself as possible will lower the cost, but anything you’d need done by a shop such as extensive rust repair and general bodywork is where most projects tend to stall out and skyrocket in price.

Unless there’s some sentimental reason to use this car I’d either start with a better one or simply buy one that’s already finished or very close to finished for half the price it would cost to build it. Just my opinion.

Right now I’m in the middle of a project car that I bought in 1977, the year I graduated high school. I’m throwing stupid money at it for the sake of nostalgia and it definitely has huge sentimental value.

I met my first wife when I was driving it, i street raced it a bunch as a teenager and bracket raced it with my car club at the race track. So I’m going to be way upside down on the build when it’s finished but I’m never planning on selling it anyway.

I always had a habit of dragging home derelict cars wanting to try to save them. I’ve learned over the years that not all of them need to be saved as much as I’d like to think they all should be.

Good luck with your project.

[Scarebird]

Originally Posted by AMSOILGUY

Original white car. AI rendering. This is what were going for. Something like it.

An interesting look. IMO, the wheels do not match the car at all - they are 90's era wheels. I would look for something more period correct that mirrors the vibe of the era. Granted, these are for a Wide Five VW, but they echo the slotted mags prevalent in the time.



Another thought is Summit sells a 17x7 Corvette Rally wheel.

Most do not know Pontiac Rally 1's have 6 slots and other minor differences. A 3D printed Pontiac-style center cap on this wheel would work quite well.

[ANDYA]

Welcome to the forums! I also own a 65 GTO, it’s a great body style. If you haven’t done it already, I would get the PHS and see what you have. It could be a Tri-Power 4-speed car which would make it more desirable than a 4 barrel car. That could change your plans for the car. I’m also a purist and prefer to see classic muscle cars with the correct type of engine. All these cars with LS motors are a fad and boring to look at. Same holds true if I see a 67 Chevelle with an LS motor instead of a 396 or a real deal 427. Also not a fan of seeing a 69 Roadrunner with a Hellcat motor. It’s just my opinion but I believe most Pontiac guys would frown upon a GTO with an LS swap. On the flip side, a Chevy guys may like the LS motor but they could care less about a GTO. Of course, as all others have said, it’s your car do as you wish. Good luck with your project!

[Gator67]

Welcome Jacob. I've done a couple pro-touring cars, Firebirds though. One is Pontiac powered (mine) the other is LS (my son's). Both are great.

Two questions: Do you have a budget in mind? And can you weld, and if not, are you willing to learn?

[Bruce Meyer]

The only downside I see to an LS conversion is the resale value. The Pontiac guys wont want to buy it because it has an LS motor in it. The Chevy guys dont want it because its a Pontiac. Personally I dont like LS motors in any make of old musclecars. I was once at a car show and spotted a nice 69 Z28 and went straight over to hoping to see a 302 small block in it only to be disappointed that it had an LS motor in it.

[242177P]

Originally Posted by AMSOILGUY

LS powered with a power adder

You don't need an LS for a power adder, just look at
Rich Guido's 65. If it's a real GTO, stick with Pontiac
power. Think of it as having pedigree. Is it still a GTO
when it's got a motor from some Cadillac Escalade?

[AMSOILGUY]

Originally Posted by 242177P

You don't need an LS for a power adder, just look at
Rich Guido's 65. If it's a real GTO, stick with Pontiac
power. Think of it as having pedigree. Is it still a GTO
when it's got a motor from some Cadillac Escalade?

I was originally just looking at Lamens and Tempest but this was available.

[AMSOILGUY]

Just got myself a welder today. So yes and yes!

[AMSOILGUY]

I am not a purest. I like the original stuff but not my flavor.

[AMSOILGUY]

I didn't choose wheels to be on that car. Just told it protruding styling. I do personally like it. The specifics might not be exact.

[AMSOILGUY]

So what just take it to the crusher? Lol your really only see scrap there?

[AMSOILGUY]

If an engine determines our friendship it wasn't ment to be.

[Skidmark]

Originally Posted by AMSOILGUY

If an engine determines our friendship it wasn't ment to be.

Don't give up on us, this relationship is worth saving. Lol

[tempest1964]

When you start with nothing, you have a blank slate. Paint the picture as you see it in your mind. Then, you enjoy it and others will too! Disregard the negativity, believe me, it’s everywhere.

[AMSOILGUY]

Originally Posted by tempest1964

When you start with nothing, you have a blank slate. Paint the picture as you see it in your mind. Then, you enjoy it and others will too! Disregard the negativity, believe me, it’s everywhere.

I won't!

[salem1912]

Jacob since you are starting from ground zero I would draw up a plan to price out your suspension,drive line and body shop cost. That should take a while to figure out. Be prepared this project will take time. Would you be doing a frame off or build as you ride? Power plant wise I would keep a eye out for a 389/400 or even a 455 while you are building the car. If you are getting ready for the motor drop and haven't found one I would go with the LS. Lot of "old timers (myself included) here that grew up in a time when GM cars where different in a lot of ways specifically the engine. Good Luck with the build and enjoy it.

[F Body Freak]

Tough crowd, lol.

Good luck with YOUR project in whatever way YOU see fit to build it!! I'm a GM guy. I come here cause I had a 70 Firebird Formula 400 follow me home a couple yrs ago. It has a numbers matching drivetrain & it has been fun figuring out & preserving the history of that car. I knew it was numbers matching when I bought it, but its even more original than I thought. Im 56yrs old & never kept cars stock in my younger days. Did anyone? As I've gotten older I certainly appreciate the stock cars( as long as they're the cool desirable ones) & I'm certainly not gonna be the guy that changes one that has made it 55 or 60 yrs still being original I also prefer keeping the Pontiacs Pontiacs, & the Oldsmobiles Oldsmobiles...
All that being said tho, I got a 67 Buick Sportwagon that someone put a 69 Buick 350 in, & I couldn't get that thing to quit smoking & running right, & I had a good running 350 Chevy that didnt have a home, so I didnt hesitate at all to turn that girl into a Chuick. 😁
Granted it wasnt a 65 Goat, but if the original motor is long gone, do what makes the most sense for you. I'd rather see the car back on the road. Just don't put a ford in it!! 🤣

[67drake]

Hey, I caught some flack from the Facebook crowd for putting Olds hubcaps on my ‘55 Catalina.
It’s not for everyone, but it’s a small change, and what I envisioned for it when I bought it. It’s your car, do what you want. Don’t let the curmudgeons scare you away. This is the best Pontiac forums there is IMO.

[F Body Freak]

Originally Posted by 67drake

Hey, I caught some flack from the Facebook crowd for putting Olds hubcaps on my ‘55 Catalina.
It’s not for everyone, but it’s a small change, and what I envisioned for it when I bought it. It’s your car, do what you want. Don’t let the curmudgeons scare you away. This is the best Pontiac forums there is IMO.

Absolutely the best Pontiac Forum. Lots of knowledge & help here.