My Love Affair With The GTO Muscle Car Of The 60’s
Keywords: love my gto, gto, little gto, goat, little goat, 3 dueces, hurst shifter
In 1969, being a poor college student, I still dreamed of owning a Pontiac GTO. I was working part time in the mail room of an oil company when I had the opportunity to buy a royal blue 1967 GTO. This GTO had a 389 engine that had been re-bored to a 413 cubic displacement. Sitting on top of the engine was a sight to behold; a Holley made 3 deuces carburetors. Inside the pilot compartment was a Hurst 4 on the floor shifter.
I started that engine up and man did it purr. It didn’t want to sit still. The ground vibrated under the sound of the 400 horse engine. I raised the hood of this little GTO and realized you don’t get too close to the 3 deuces or they might suck you in. With drooling running down the side of my mouth, I closed the hood and got under the wheel. The salesmen said take it for a spin. He knew he was now going to make a sale.
I back her out and while still rolling slightly backwards, I shifted into first gear and put the petal to the metal. This little goat just stood there with the rear tires smoking. Finally what seem like forever, the rubber grabbed the road and I experienced what it was like to pull G’s. I shot forward like I was headed for the moon. I shifted into 2nd and only to find myself being plastered against the back of my seat. It was only until I hit fourth gear I was able to move in my seat. Did I mention the grin on my face? It still happens today, almost 40 years later I still grin when I think of that moment in time.
I took it back and bought my little goat. Somehow the salesman knew and had the papers almost completed, just waiting for my signature. I now was the proud owner of a 1967 GTO. I love my GTO. The love affair had now begun. I drove out of that parking lot like the afterburners had kicked in.
I went by a friend’s house who until now was giving me a ride to work each evening. He had a little 3 year old boy. I wanted to show off my muscle car. He got in the front bucket while his little boy got in the back. This was before the days of seat belts and child restraints. His little boy was standing and straddling the transmission hump with his left hand on my bucket and his right hand on his Dad’s seat.
His father said, I bet you can’t make him sit down. Here I am with this little GTO just waiting for an excuse to feel the G-force again. From a dead stop, I revved up that engine and popped the clutch. This little kid went flying to the back of the back bench seat. He didn’t see it coming. Just as he stood up again, I hit 2nd gear. He went flying back again. He got up once again just as I shifted into 3rd. This poor little fellow was pinned against the back seat one more time. This time, he had enough and just stayed there.
I love my GTO, nicknamed the Goat. Unfortunately, I received my draft notice and knew I wouldn’t be able to hang on to it. I cried when I let it go (maybe it was because I was headed to basic training) either way, I was going to miss my GTO. Even to this day when I see a little GTO, I can’t help but smile and wonder if the new owner had as much fun as I did.
Jerry Johnson owns the www.LoveMyGO.com as well as several other successful webstores. You can find new and used GTO from the past or today at LoveMyGTO.com. If you love auto auctions, Love My GTO is the place to go.
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