ACTUAL EVALUATION

GTO Originality Consultants©

 

 

Originality appraisal for – YOUR NAME HERE

 

Automobile make/model/year – Pontiac/GTO/1965

 

Listing location – N/A

 

Listing close date – N/A

 

Date of appraisal – 2/20/06

 

 

BASIC

 

Does the car have documentation to verify its GTO status? – According to the information provided by the owner this car  has been verified by Pontiac Historic Service (PHS), including having a copy of the broadcast sheet from the assembly line. Accessory code on data plate (see below) further confirms the status of this car as a GTO.

 

ENGINE AND ENGINE BAY

 

Does the car have the correct block? – Cannot be determined from the information provided. The Tri-Power option is not highlighted on the broadcast sheet nor is it highlighted in the PHS paperwork. If this is not a factory Tri-Power engine the block code, on the front of the block under the gasket surface for the passenger side head should be WT. Tri-Power was WS, when equipped with a manual transmission.

 

Does the car have the correct transmission? – From the information provided it appears that the car should have a 3 speed transmission. See decoding the data plate below and information provided by PHS.

 

Does the car have the correct heads? – The heads appear to be stock. If so, the correct cast code is “77” and should appear on the end exhaust runner of each head.

 

Does the car have the correct intake manifold? – The intake manifold is correct for a 1965 Tri-Power but this car appears to be a factory 4 barrel car from the PHS paperwork (see above).

 

Does the car have the correct exhaust manifolds? – Appears to have correct exhaust manifolds.

 

Does the car have the correct air cleaner? – Yes. The factory installed foam elements for the air cleaners but replacements were in paper as on this car. Foam elements are available from suppliers of reproduction parts but they are more restrictive than paper.

 

Does the car have the correct carburetor(s)? – They appear to be correct. Identification tags should be as follows: center carb 7025175; front carb 7024178; rear carb 7024179.

 

Are major components painted or finished as from the factory? – Finishes appear to be correct for the year with exceptions noted elsewhere.

 

Does the car have the correct master cylinder/booster assembly? – Yes

 

Are there other modifications to the engine or engine compartment? – The car has non-factory valve covers obviously. In addition, the bolts used to secure the intake manifold to the heads and the carburetors to the intake manifold are non-stock. Other non-stock items include the following: radiator cap, distributor cap (red instead of black), fuel filter (and fuel return line appears to be non-stock as well)), chrome alternator, and double pulley on alternator (1964-style). The car is missing the second alternator strap that attaches to the thermostat housing but these are available as reproductions. The battery is missing the correct hold down assembly that bolted to the core support. It appears that there is a Ford-style starter solenoid bolted to the driver’s side inner fender well. This is definitely incorrect for a 1965 GTO. Plastic flex covering the wires is not correct for this year either. The bolt and retainer that secure the intake manifold to the timing cover should be painted engine color, not black. Spark plug boots were black from the factory not red.

 

Data plate information – Accessory codes indicated include the following: 2KBGP 3C 5N. 2K refers to A/C. 2B is the code for 3 speed manual transmission. 2G designates the console. I do not have information available to decode 2P and 3C. 5N designates the GTO option, thus verifying the authenticity of this car.

 

OTHER DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

 

The differential cover appears to be chrome plated which is incorrect. Also INCORRECT is the rear sway bar. This wasn’t available on a GTO until 1970. White wall tires were a no cost option and while redlines are more commonly seen on early GTOs, white wall tires are just as correct for 1965. It is interesting that this car has A/C but not power steering and power brakes. It appears that the car is missing the unusual steering vibration damper assembly that looked like a shock absorber attached to the center link. This was standard on 1964 GTOs with standard steering and dealer-installed on 1965s. It appears that this car did not have one.

 

INTERIOR

 

Does the car have seats that are correct for the year and model? – Yes.

 

Does the car have the correct steering wheel? – No

 

Does the car have the correct shifter? – This car does not appear to have the correct shifter as it bends toward the left side of the car. Factory shifters bent rearward but did not tilt to the side. The shift knob is non-stock.

 

Does the car have the correct console? – Yes. It is unfortunate that someone installed an incorrect tachometer on the front of the console, damaging the console in the process..

 

Has the interior color been changed? – No. Interior code on data plate (213) is correct for a black interior.

 

Are there other modifications to the interior based on the available information? – Added gauges are obviously not stock. It is interesting to see that the restoration did not include rechroming the dash bezel. The outside rim of the dash gauges should be vacuum-plated chrome. Fortunately, there is a person on eBay who sells laser-cut metal surrounds to recondition a GTO dash without removing it from the car. The cost is about $80. The painted top of the dash is glossy. The factory used 0% gloss on the top of the dash. Also, the factory padded dash appears to be “overstuffed” in the photos. Perhaps it is only the photos that give this impression.

 

EXTERIOR

 

Has the car color been changed? – YES. According to the data plate, the paint/vinyl top codes are “W-6.” This signifies a Bluemist Slate paint color with a Beige vinyl top. If this is correct, the exterior of the car is not finished as it was when it was manufactured. A Burgundy 1965 GTO with a black vinyl top should be code “N-2.”

 

Are the wheels/hubcaps correct for the year? – Other than the fact that the rims are 7 inch, Rallye I wheels with chrome center caps are correct for a 1965 GTO.

 

Is the antenna in the correct location? - NOTE, the antenna appears to be in the wrong position on the fender. Picture 100_1694 shows it far forward of where it would be expected. The antenna is not the original style.

 

Is the outside rear view mirror correct for the year and in the correct location? - Yes

 

Other issues – N/A

 

TRUNK

 

Does the car have the correct finish in the trunk? – Yes. The trunk mat appears to be an original!

 

UNDERCARRIAGE

 

Does the car have factory-style exhaust? – The tips on the tailpipes are incorrect.

 

Is the finish correct? – Cannot be determined from information provided.

 

 

 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS/DISCLAIMER

 

GTO Originality Consultants provides an originality assessment based on information made available in a listing by the seller of a vehicle. We are not responsible for misrepresentations by the seller. We do not provide value assessments or assessments of the vehicles mechanical or structural condition. Customer acknowledges that GTO Originality Consultants is not liable for failure of the customer to acquire the vehicle. Customer also acknowledges that GTO Originality Consultants is not liable for failure to detect all modifications to the vehicle. Payment for services rendered is an acknowledgement by the customer of these terms and conditions.

 

Thank you for your business!