Make:
Pontiac
Model:
Tempest GTO
Year:
1966
Mileage:
75481
Miles
Condition:
Used
Country:
United States
Region:
Illinois
City:
Chicago ,IL
Zip:
60623
1966 Pontiac Tempest GTO Tribute powerful drivetrain and tasteful exterior
With its road-ready, powerful drivetrain and eye-catching but tasteful exterior, this 1966 Pontiac Tempest GTO Tribute is a fitting tribute to the high-octane, rubber melting version of the Pontiac model that became so closely associated with boulevard exploits over the years. It's capable of far more than just turning heads on the asphalt, and features some well-selected upgrades including a recently rebuilt 400 V8, a quick-shifting 4-speed gearbox, and a blazing Sunset Orange paint job. Take a closer look at this winner but do it fast, because there's no way this beauty stays with us that long...
Pontiac promoted the GTO from an option package on the Tempest to an entirely separate model the year this '66 debuted, and marked the occasion by giving it a lot more curves than its more slab-sided predecessors, as well as wider track. The Sunset Orange Metallic finish this specimen wears is a slick, deep color - noticeably darker than similar renderings of the shade, with just enough metallic flake to create a high-impact, magnetic look. It's not a bonafide trophy hunter, as this Poncho was built to drive, but the strong driver-quality finish will still get nothing but thumbs up when it's cruising down Main Street. Up front, the stacked headlights sit in bright chrome casings, bracketing a recessed black grille and a nice, level bumper just below. The hood scoop gives away the potential of a monster lurking underneath, although it's certainly not as obnoxious as some of the gaudy cowl hoods we see gracing so many restomods these days, and all that bright chrome trim that surrounds the glass and runs through the bottom side of the car and around the wheel arches really emphasizes this car's gorgeous lines. There's a reason the '66 Pontiac hardtop is widely considered to be one of the quintessential American muscle car masterpieces, and this great-looking driver does nothing to refute that opinion. All the requisite GTO badging was installed exactly where it's supposed to be, and even a Hurst badge made its way out back where the rear end is simply a menacing thing of beauty – with those scowling taillights and dual exhaust tips serving as a final reminder to any that tried to challenge this car and humbly lost.
The black vinyl interior offers just the right mood-elevating vintage driving environment to match the outside of the car. The front buckets and rear bench seat feature crisp covers that have yet to show much wear - you won't even find creasing on the front bolsters. A nice by-product of the Tempest's generous size is the space on hand. Invite your friends to join you on the road and they'll find no shortage of legroom in back. A woodgrain steering wheel sits on its column and just beyond it, the matching woodgrain instrument cluster holds a set of original gauges that are joined by a set of aftermarket counterparts monitoring fuel, oil pressure, voltage and engine temperature just below, as well as a sizable vacuum gauge that sits on the center console. Inside that very center console is where the party really starts, with a cue-ball top Hurst shifter managing the 4-speed manual below practically mocking you into slamming through some gears. The original AM radio still sits in the dash, but a Pioneer AM/FM/CD player is nearby to fill the cabin with sound via a well-placed array of speakers, and a full Vintage A/C unit was added to make the cabin much more comfortable. The trunk area in back offers plenty of room and is lined with gray carpeting on its floor and inner fenders for a nice, finished appearance.
With its road-ready, powerful drivetrain and eye-catching but tasteful exterior, this 1966 Pontiac Tempest GTO Tribute is a fitting tribute to the high-octane, rubber melting version of the Pontiac model that became so closely associated with boulevard exploits over the years. It's capable of far more than just turning heads on the asphalt, and features some well-selected upgrades including a recently rebuilt 400 V8, a quick-shifting 4-speed gearbox, and a blazing Sunset Orange paint job. Take a closer look at this winner but do it fast, because there's no way this beauty stays with us that long...
Pontiac promoted the GTO from an option package on the Tempest to an entirely separate model the year this '66 debuted, and marked the occasion by giving it a lot more curves than its more slab-sided predecessors, as well as wider track. The Sunset Orange Metallic finish this specimen wears is a slick, deep color - noticeably darker than similar renderings of the shade, with just enough metallic flake to create a high-impact, magnetic look. It's not a bonafide trophy hunter, as this Poncho was built to drive, but the strong driver-quality finish will still get nothing but thumbs up when it's cruising down Main Street. Up front, the stacked headlights sit in bright chrome casings, bracketing a recessed black grille and a nice, level bumper just below. The hood scoop gives away the potential of a monster lurking underneath, although it's certainly not as obnoxious as some of the gaudy cowl hoods we see gracing so many restomods these days, and all that bright chrome trim that surrounds the glass and runs through the bottom side of the car and around the wheel arches really emphasizes this car's gorgeous lines. There's a reason the '66 Pontiac hardtop is widely considered to be one of the quintessential American muscle car masterpieces, and this great-looking driver does nothing to refute that opinion. All the requisite GTO badging was installed exactly where it's supposed to be, and even a Hurst badge made its way out back where the rear end is simply a menacing thing of beauty – with those scowling taillights and dual exhaust tips serving as a final reminder to any that tried to challenge this car and humbly lost.
The black vinyl interior offers just the right mood-elevating vintage driving environment to match the outside of the car. The front buckets and rear bench seat feature crisp covers that have yet to show much wear - you won't even find creasing on the front bolsters. A nice by-product of the Tempest's generous size is the space on hand. Invite your friends to join you on the road and they'll find no shortage of legroom in back. A woodgrain steering wheel sits on its column and just beyond it, the matching woodgrain instrument cluster holds a set of original gauges that are joined by a set of aftermarket counterparts monitoring fuel, oil pressure, voltage and engine temperature just below, as well as a sizable vacuum gauge that sits on the center console. Inside that very center console is where the party really starts, with a cue-ball top Hurst shifter managing the 4-speed manual below practically mocking you into slamming through some gears. The original AM radio still sits in the dash, but a Pioneer AM/FM/CD player is nearby to fill the cabin with sound via a well-placed array of speakers, and a full Vintage A/C unit was added to make the cabin much more comfortable. The trunk area in back offers plenty of room and is lined with gray carpeting on its floor and inner fenders for a nice, finished appearance.
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