Bare Bones: 1964 Pontiac GTO Post Coupe 398/4-Speed – SOLD!
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August 18, 2023, Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.
Large Corporations are not known for promoting entrepreneurial culture, which has always been the case at General Motors (“GM”). In its quest to maintain product and brand hierarchy across its divisions, GM was notorious for putting restrictive policies in place. One such example came in 1963 when General Motors’ management banned divisions from involvement in auto racing. By this time, Pontiac’s advertising and marketing approach was heavily based on performance, so with GM’s ban on racing, Pontiac’s managers began to emphasize street performance.
John DeLorean, Bill Collins, and Russ Gee believed that they could appeal to the burgeoning youth market by offering a big engine option in the new-for-1964 Pontiac Tempest. Another GM policy at the time limited the company’s A-Body intermediate car line (Pontiac Tempest, Chevrolet Chevelle, Buick Skylark, and Oldsmobile F85) to a maximum engine displacement of only 330 cubic inches. However, the development team discovered a loophole in the policy that did not restrict large engines to be offered as an option. Pontiac general manager Elliot “Pete” Estes approved the new model with sales manager Frank Bridge limiting initial production to 5,000 cars. Pontiac actually produced 32,450 units split between Post Coupes, Convertibles, and Hardtops. Pontiac had a hit on their hands that GM Management could not shut down. Other GM divisions quickly followed suit, and the original muscle car era was born.
This restored all-black 1964 Pontiac GTO for sale, last spotted in August 2023 on Craigslist in Myerstown, Pennsylvania (Reading), represents one of the 7,384 two-door post coupe versions produced that first year. Featuring a four-barrel-topped 389 cubic inch V8 mated to a Muncie-sourced four-speed manual, the 3.89 gears spinning in the twelve-bolt rear end can easily shred a pair of tires if the driver so chooses. We consider this more of a driver’s car than a show queen, as the car features several “day two” modifications most buyers won’t mind.
Last offered for $45,000, Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the collector car market, confirms the ask is right in line with this guide’s six-month auction sales results summary for 1964 Pontiac GTOs of all three body styles. By clicking on the green dots in the graph below, you can get a sense of what comparable examples sold for during that period:
As a second data point, the Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #2 Very Good” estimate of $37,150 and its #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $53,350 before making adjustments for powertrain and convenience options.
The 1964 Pontiac GTO is an iconic American muscle car that holds a special place in automotive history. It is often considered the car that kicked off the muscle car era and is regarded as one of the pioneers of this powerful and exciting automotive category.
The GTO, which stands for “Gran Turismo Omologato” (Italian for Grand Touring Homologated), was first introduced as an option package for the Pontiac Tempest in 1964. It was the brainchild of John DeLorean, who was then the chief engineer at Pontiac. He wanted to find a way to circumvent General Motors’ policy that restricted mid-sized cars to engines with a maximum displacement of 330 cubic inches. The GTO package was essentially a loophole, allowing buyers to select a 389-cubic-inch V8 engine for the Tempest, thereby creating a high-performance machine.
The 1964 Pontiac GTO featured a classic, elegant design that exuded power and performance. It shared its body with the Pontiac Tempest, but it had some distinctive elements to set it apart. The front end featured a split grille with prominent “GTO” badging and dual headlamps. The car’s sculpted lines, flared fenders, and strong body creases emphasized its muscular presence. It was available in both two-door hardtop and convertible body styles.
The heart of the GTO was its powerful engine options. The standard powerplant was a 389-cubic-inch V8 engine, which came in several power levels: 325 horsepower with a single 4-barrel carburetor, 348 horsepower with a Tri-Power (three two-barrel carburetors) setup, and a limited production 370 horsepower version with high-compression pistons and a more aggressive camshaft. The engine was mated to a 3-speed manual transmission as standard, but buyers could opt for a 4-speed manual or a two-speed automatic transmission.
Inside, the 1964 GTO featured a driver-oriented cockpit with a simple yet functional dashboard. Bucket seats were standard, giving the car a sporty feel. The GTO badge was also prominently displayed on the steering wheel and other interior elements.
The 1964 Pontiac GTO was an immediate success and exceeded Pontiac’s sales expectations. Its popularity and critical acclaim played a significant role in launching the muscle car craze of the 1960s and 1970s. Other American car manufacturers quickly followed suit, producing their own muscle cars to meet the growing demand for high-performance vehicles.
Today, the 1964 Pontiac GTO is highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts. It is considered a classic and a valuable piece of automotive history. Well-maintained and restored examples can command high prices in the collector car market.
In conclusion, the 1964 Pontiac GTO is a legendary muscle car that set the stage for an era of powerful and high-performance vehicles. Its combination of a potent V8 engine, sleek design, and performance-oriented features made it an instant classic and a beloved icon of American automotive culture.
The Lou Constabile YouTube Channel provides a nice overview of a similar but stock 1964 Pontiac GTO Two-Door Post that ironically enough, we once featured at auction here on GuysWithRides:
With only one thousand miles since its restoration, this 1964 Pontiac GTO Post Coupe for sale is a great example for enthusiasts who truly want to enjoy driving their car rather than simply commuting between car shows to show it off. With “day two” modifications such as aftermarket wheels, a concealed stereo (note the cowl speaker enclosures), and an aftermarket steering wheel, this Pontiac GTO for sale won’t win any Pontiac Oakland Club or AACA awards for originality, but it still provides a lot of fun one quarter mile at a time.
If you are serious about buying this GTO, you can start the conversation by using the contact information provided by the seller in their Craigslist ad. When you connect, please mention that you saw their Pontiac muscle car for sale featured here on GuysWithRides.com. Good luck with the purchase!
Here’s the seller’s description:
This is not a clone, cowl plate shows 5N as required, VIN starts with 824 as required.
389
4 speed Muncy
3.89 gears
12 bolt rear
Odometer not hooked up, less then 1,000 on car since built
65 seats
Serious buyers only
Will entertain reasonable offer“
Show or go: What would you do with this 1964 Pontiac GTO for sale? Please comment below and let us know!
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