1964 Pontiac GTO Coupe; EFI - Overdrive - AC - Dakota Gauges - Cruise Control
1964 Pontiac GTO
** - - OVERVIEW - - **
Documented real 1964 Pontiac GTO with original purchase receipt and build sheet! Overall, it has been tastefully modified to form a better driving vehicle. Sometimes other drivers are needed to move cars to a show or for repairs. OR, maybe a spouse wants to drive the classic / musclecar to work now and then!
This vehicle has been modernized to allow anybody to be able to drive it without whole list of instructions. Every system works properly and has been enhanced to function much better than original! It has been enhanced to start easily in any weather, at any altitude, and cruise anywhere. It has been driven over to the Pacific Coast (and back) once or twice, which is a 200-300 mile trip, proving we accomplished the goals set for this car. No cutting or welding during the mods, so this car can be returned to stock whenever desired.
Currently, there is around 3000-3500 miles on the vehicle. Our target for our fleet is 1000 miles / per YEAR. Having several other vehicles, including our "daily drivers", it can be challenging. This car is a fine example of that. After modifications were complete in 2016, you can see this first-year GTO still didn't get all the miles it deserves.
Brand names are in bold for easy identification.
** - - AT A GLANCE - - **
·Vintage Air AC/heat/defrost.
· Dakota Digital VHX gauges.
· Dakota Digital cruise control.
· Updated lighting; LED stop/tail and HELLA HID headlights.
· Electronic Fuel Injection (F.A.S.T. EZ-EFI).
· Pertronix electronic ignition package.
· Automatic overdrive transmission (TH200-4R).
· Front disc brake conversion.
· BMR suspension improvements.
· KYB Gas-A-Just shock absorber upgrades.
· 3.23 Positraction rear differential.
· Updated drivetrain enhancements.
· Mandrel-bent stainless exhaust with mellow MagnaFlow mufflers.
· Redline tires.
** - - DETAILS- - **
BODY / PAINT / EXTERIOR: Spot-repair areas can be seen here and there. We’re guessing rust repair, as the slightly different paint is in the common cancer areas.
We have noticed some lack of adhesion in the paint underneath the hood. It would appear there are areas that were not properly prepped prior to that paint application. No rust is evident, so we are guessing it either wasn't sanded properly OR properly cleaned prior to application of material(s).
The brightwork is in better than average condition. We did remove the stock driver’s-side external rear view (ugly one on fender) in favor of 1970s style with tension screws. At same time, we added the matching convex passenger’s side piece. Therefore, the only paint we have applied on this car is where we filled the holes for the original external mirror.
A new windshield is also present, but overall the exterior is as-purchased in 2014 from Kissimmee, FL.
We registered it with a pristine pair of 1963 black-and-yellow license plates WITH 1964 reg tag. These plates and the restored steering wheel are high-dollar items by themselves.
Some freelance customization has occurred in the form of a few extra red/white/blue “FUEL INJECTION” emblems. Some Dremel work allowed them to be attached with 3M emblem tape (see pics). Another custom step to make the car stand-out a bit when parked next to other ’64 GTOs.
INTERIOR / COMFORTS: A Gen-IVSure-Fit Vintage AirAC system andDakota Digital VHX gauge cluster with blue lighting compliments the original upholstery.A new dash pad replaced the cracked unit.
The steering column has a DD cruise-control switch replacement turn-signal handle to look as if born that way. The correct steering wheel has been restored to better than new.
An updated AM/FM replacement stereo unit with USB had already been installed and feeds unknown speakers.
A factory installed rear speaker knob and a power antenna control switch adorn the dash near the gauge cluster. Both seem to function as installed.
AShiftWorkskit allows the original 2-speed console shifter to be re-born with two additional detents. The result is proper control and indication of the TH200-4R overdrive transmission.
In addition to factory appearance, their conversions also have a bonus of converting to a proper late-model NSS / BU-light switch.
The trunk now has an electric release added, has a new OE-style rubber mat and normal paint. We had never seen a factory extending/retracting TRUNK LIGHT - - Until we saw this one! It still has its mercury-switch and the only modification is a LED bulb.
ELECTRICAL: An OPTIMA red-top battery feeds the IMI gear-reduction starter through improved cable(s). To avoid sulfation, a CTEK maintainer is hard wired on-board. Whenever the car is garaged between drives, a simple extension cord from a wall outlet keeps the car ready to go at any time AND extends battery life.
For additional safety,Dakota Digitalreplacement LED tail/brake light modules were placed under new lenses.
In the front, stock inadequate halogen headlights were thrown away in favor ofHellaE-code H4 hi-lo replacements updated/upgraded to 6K (6000 Kelvin) HID bulbs.
The original external regulated alternator was not providing desired amperage nor voltage for the new upgrades, so it got swapped to a chrome 12-Si unit with 125-amp capacity and internal regulator.
ENGINE: The original 389 got rebuilt byRPMin Tulare.It's .040-over, and with the tiny combustion chambers, a standard flat-top piston made 11:1 compression.Ross Pistonsmade a custom set of forged pieces that got us down to 9.8:1. Of course, the rotating assembly was balanced to zero and larger valves were cut into the aforementioned (original) heads.
The associated valvetrain needed to be efficient with superb city manners. A CompCamsXE262H flat-tappet shaft with their roller-tip Magnum rockers checked all the boxes.
Desiring to keep the stock intake, an adapter plate allows a larger throttle-body with modern bolt-pattern to sit on top of the 435 cfm opening.Topping it off is aF.A.S.T. EZ-EFI(1.0) unit.
A fullPertronixkit with billet distributor / coil / wires ignites the mixture.On this particular car, a Pertronix ignition RELAY kit was utilized to cure two problems. #1) The OE distributor feed wire only supplied 9 volts. #2) Installation of the IMI mini-starter (which doesn’t have the old ignition/start provision), requires this relay to provide ignition power during start circuit.
Nestled between the large-bore Ram-Air style exhaust manifolds and the OE style exhaust tips lies a mandrel-bent 2.25" 409 stainless exhaust system with H-pipe andMagnaFlowmufflers.
Lucas"Classic/Hot-Rod" 10/30 oil makes sure the flat-tappets stay happy and their fuel stabilizer protects the tank and contents.
Cooling the engine (and subsequently the trans) is aRon-Davisaluminum direct replacement radiator and a 160* thermostat. Dual fans are staged by aPainless Wiringdual-fan controller.
Both fans spool up when the trinary switch signals the aforementioned controller.
TRANSMISSION / DRIVETRAIN: TRCin Visalia provided the TH200-4R overdrive transmission. Knowing it would be behind a mild engine, they appropriately added the TRANSGO improvement kit along with billet servos. The converter they included did not play well with the cam - so a 2300 rpmHughesunit with carbon fiber lock-up clutch replaced the 1200-1500 rpm piece.
Since 1964 GTOs never had locking torque converters, an adjustable B&Mspeed-referenced module holds off lockup until 63-65 mph. Since the converter clutch should unlock during moderate throttle (passing, etc), the (now unused) electric kick-down switch from the Super Turbine 300 was re-assigned to open the converter lockup relay.
Horsepower and torque get transferred to the differential via a new driveshaft with new yoke, lifetime Spicer U-joints, balanced to zero.
SUSPENSION / BRAKES:This first-year of GTO(s) did not have a rear sway bar.Nor did they have boxed rear trailing arms. We employed aBMR kit with1-3/8" front bar, 1” rear bar and tubular upper and lower trailing arms.
The stock power steering setup has been freshened up with MOOG components and a thrust alignment completed.
KYB Gas-A-Just shock absorbers provided modern control for modern traffic.
The desire to keep the stock hubcaps and redline tires meant keeping the stock 14” feet. We converted the front brakes to disc with stock (fresh) drums in back.
** - - FINAL FACTS/OPINIONS/CONTACT- - **
WHY SELL IT ??: In 1964, A family member purchased an almost duplicate of this vehicle. At 19-20 years old....that was his FIRST brand-new vehicle. Directly from the showroom-floor, it was this same color, same wheels/hubcaps, same engine. The only difference was 4-speed manual transmission, whereas this GTO was born with the two-speed automatic. Anyway, this car has been enjoyed and (obviously by the low miles) doesn't get driven near as much anymore. So, rather than watch it deteriorate - we would like to see someone else enjoy it.
Obviously, most/all of the upgrades/enhancements on this coupe were not remotely available in 1964. Needless to say this version is better/faster/stronger. The color, wheels/caps, windows, interior and bright-work are really the only items it has in common with the 1964-version.
It is worth mentioning this car really is the definition of "TURN-KEY". If desired, a distant buyer could choose to fly to California's central San Joaquin Valley and drive it home. Having family members in neighboring STATES, this GTO has been outfitted to handle long, distant road-trips. If one desires to drive this car on a 1000 or 2000 mile round-trip to see family....simply unplug the battery maintainer, top off the fuel tank, check tire pressures and other fluids. We always make sure the 12V power port(s) are operational to power phone(s)/navigation. Hit the road, engage the cruise-control, and enjoy the drive!
Having probably 75 to 100 additional horsepower than was possible in 1964 equates to seamless negotiation of mountain ranges. The aluminum radiator / dual fan combo is adequate cooling up to 800HP. So, cruising through Death Valley at noon in July can be comfortably accomplished.Similarly, the suspension upgrades provide sure-footed travel on twisty mountain roads. The redline tires, manufactured with modern materials and technology, provide peace of mind for either blistering desert travel or high mountain passes. Original 1964 bias-ply tires weren't necessarilydesigned for EITHER.
** This refined Pontiac is being offered AS-IS / WHERE-IS. No new or existing warranty implied or expressed.
** Transportation of purchased vehicle is the sole responsibility of the buyer. Local pickup is always available, or we can assist with information of open or closed transporters we have used in the past.
** CONTACT INFO regarding the selling/purchasing of this vehicle;
EMAIL: radiustire@sbcglobal.net
CALL/TEXT Ray: 559-730-5811.
- Make: Pontiac
- Model: GTO
- Type: Coupe
- Year: 1964
- Mileage: 3500
- VIN: 824P258059
- Engine size: Mild 389 w/EFI
- Power options: Air Conditioning, Cruise Control
- Transmission: TH200-4R Overdrive
- Vehicle Title: Clean Want to buy? Contact seller!