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Car
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For February 2000 |
AL & PAM HARRIS'
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AL HARRIS' CAPRI GOLD 1965 GTO As I wrote in a previous article, my first GTO was a brand new 1969, my second was a '71. Both cars came with 4-speed, black vinyl tops and Rally II wheels. The '69 was the only model from GM that appealed to me with its styling, roominess, engine choices. The car was very unique and none of my friends owned one. My choice was partially influenced by the fact that, after the service, I was employed by Hydra-Matic Division. GM really frowned on their salaried employees driving another brand. You definitely didn't want to be caught driving an import. (See how times have changed!) The car we have now (3rd GTO) was found in a Hemmings Motor News Ad. I called a guy in Florida and was sent a stack of pictures of a 1965 Capri Gold GTO. It had tri-power, 4-speed and A/C. After a lot of phoning, I found out the car was not in Florida, but in Michigan!!! I should have trusted my gut feeling and passed on the car, but the pictures looked great and the color was unusual, so I bought it "sight unseen". When the car arrived it wasn't in as good a shape as I was told. After looking it over I felt it had potential as long as the motor and transmission were in good shape. While driving the car home, I noticed a vibration above 65 mph and thought it was tires or alignment. I spent a few days just cleaning and polishing, trying to turn a sow's ear into a silk purse. It had 3 different sized wheels and tires, the A/C didn't work, the vibration I felt was a bent drive shaft, the shocks were shot and it needed rear springs. The car also came with '64 hubcaps and extra gold carpeting. Over the next couple of years, I just worked on getting the car to look decent without having to spend a "Jeffrey Dahmer" (an arm and a leg) on it. Besides, it's a driver, not a sculpture. So far I've replaced wheels (twice) and tires, hubcaps, shocks, rear springs, exhaust systems, valve covers, etc. The drive shaft had to be remade (no more vibration, yes...round is good!). The A/C now works and has a big fat Harrison radiator to keep things cool (a real plus on those hot, hot Delta days). The list just keeps on coming... Ed, from the Goat Farm, Wayne Barnes and other club members have been a tremendous help in finding parts, bits and pieces. But most of all, their knowledge is invaluable. My initial gut feeling about the car has long since passed and even though it's a 20/20 car, it's now part of the family. Eventually, I would like to have the car and engine painted with the addition of some new trim pieces and a re-chromed rear bumper but, that's down the road. We will just drive it and enjoy it as it is. Pam and I have tried to participate in as many events as possible; Good Guys, Wine Country Tour, all of the picnics, Horses-to-Horsepower. It's really great to see everyone, meet the new members and see their GTOs. In the 3 or so years Golden Gate Goats has been in existence many great cars and people have come together to form a truly great club--one to be proud of. GGG has put forth the effort to show the Bay Area some very fine and unique automobiles. Thanks to "The Prez and His Cabinet" for this very fine club and thanks to everyone who has helped keep it that way. Al Harris
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