New Guy from South Texas

[SoTX]

Hi Ya'll
I am 60, I have wanted a 65 GTO since they were new. By the time I could afford a car the 65's were considered old and the smog laws had killed the musclecar power. I swerved off into sports car territory until now. I have been looking for a 65 LeMans/GTO clone for a few months and have looked at many "rust free" cars that were unsafe to drive they were so eaten up with rust.
My plans for the car are to upgrade the suspension to make it handle better, install a LS series engine for the lighter weight, increased power and mileage.
Looking forward to learning about these machines.

Mike

[awr68]

Welcome to the site, Mike! Your project will fit right in around here! :thumbsup:

[SoTX]

Thanks Anthony
I am still looking for that 65 LeMans 2 door hardtop, don't need an engine or transmission.

[killer67]

65 GTO? You got good taste Mike! Do a Nightwatch Blue one!

[Sieg]

Welcome Mike!

My first car/hot rod was 66 GTO in '76 fresh out of high school. The '65's have a lot of potential. Schwartz Performance is just finishing up a nice '64 GTO, he's also done a '65 Tempest and Lemans that might give you some inspiration.

[SoTX]

I found a nice 65 on the PY forum. Seller sent pics and was very honest about the car's condition. Bought car with low oil pressure and it was priced as such.
I have someone rebuilding the 462 for me, block had been " steel abraded " before the last rebuild and some of the steel beads had not been cleaned out of the oil passages. Slight scoring of the cylinder bores and crankshaft journals but the machine shop has cleaned that up. Cam looked good but some of the lifters showed signs of not rotating with resultant wear patterns.
Looking for a good street cam for a 462 with 6x heads, ram air exhaust manifolds and we have a 66 tri power we are going to install in place of the 4bbl that came with the car.
Thanks to all on the forum for the input. I am really excited to get the car on the road.
Mike