YouTube channel AutotopiaLA highlights the classic muscle car, which retains its factory 400 block engine.
The Pontiac GTO is talked about as one of the greatest muscle cars ever created. It went through a few ups and downs over the years, but it’s remembered fondly and there are many of us who wish there could be a remake. Host Shaun Davis from AutotopiaLA is of the same mindset as us, and he has been able to check out an awesome custom Pontiac GTO build that is owned by Mike, who built it in his garage after his father bought it brand new and subsequently passed it down to him.
Green Exterior Finish—Not Black
This is a perfect example of restoration. It is a classy exterior and build, but it has all of the modern upgrades needed to make it a more comfortable and enjoyable drive in 2020. Mike’s dad and a buddy bought matching GTOs, his dad’s example being midnight green while they were in training for the US Navy. It might look black, but it’s actually green.
The GTO’s Modern Touches
Speaking of modern touches, the car now has Vintage Air. One thing that is rather uncomfortable in classic rides in the modern era is the lack of air conditioning in hot weather, so that was a must-have modern feature. Shaun says it is great that Mike though has kept this car essentially Pontiac. The soul of the car is very much that of the original GTO.
No LS Motor Here
Taking a look under the hood, we see the original, 400 block engine in pristine condition. This is part of what makes this such a classic restoration, and its resistance to the LS swap trend. There are aluminum heads and a roller cam, but the engine is in tip-top condition, mechanically and externally.
Moving into the interior, Mike has left it virtually stock. It has been updated, refreshed, and it is essentially all brand-new vinyl, but it is done as close to the original interior as possible. The gauges, however, are original! These were fully restored, and are now working perhaps better than they did when the car left the factory. The GTO even has a working stereo system as well. One cool final thing to point out is that Mike put the Navy insignia and his dad’s squadron symbol on the headrest of the front seats.
Source: YouTube
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