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Car
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For June 2000 |
Tom & Vicki Stanger's '65 GTO |
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TOM & VICKI STANGER'S 1965 GTO Well, it's time for me to tell my GTO story. I'm going to tell how the Pontiac side of me came about. When I was in high school and got my license, my dad lent me $600.00 to buy a 1953 Ford Victoria with a flathead V-8. It could hardly get out of it's own way. A year later I put a 312 c.i. overhead in place of the flathead and it became the fastest car in high school. After graduating, my two best friends bought 1961, 348 c.i., 4-speed Chevy's. I wanted to keep up, so I was just about ready to buy a 1962 406 Ford when I heard about a new Pontiac called a Grand Prix. I ordered this car after smoothing out the cost of $4,200.00 with my father. The car was a great 389 tri-power and 4-speed. The Chevys didn't have a prayer. In 1964 Uncle Sam called and I was off to basic training. While there I read Playboy and car magazines. In one car issue, they talked about a new car called GTO. It was a 14 second 1/4 mile car right off the showroom floor. I ordered a 1965 Maze Yellow, tri-power, 4-speed car with no power steering or power brakes. This car was really fast and a good looking unit. In 1966 I met Vicki and we dated in the GTO. In 1967 we were married and, while I was in summer camp, she also drove the car. In 1968 we bought a house and needed carpets and drapes, so we sold the GTO to pay for them. In hind sight, a BIG mistake, but we were young and in love! About 10 years ago, I purchased a Franklin Mint 1965 GTO model car, thinking this would be my GTO. Then, three years ago, we went to Hot August Nights. I saw my present car and even have myself on video talking to the owner at that time about how nice his car was. I didn’t really get the bug until I got home and saw an ad for a 75% restored GTO. I called and the guy said '”It's a nice car, but I just sold it." At this point I had to have one. I put the word out and, after looking at six or eight GTO's, another Mac Tool Dealer told me about a customer who had one for sale. As I talked to him, I realized it was the same guy I saw at Hot August Nights. I was so excited to have a car close to my original car! One of the first shows I went to was one of the Good Guys Shows in Pleasanton. I saw a guy who waved me over. He had yellow caution tape keeping other cars out. He looked as though he needed a CORONA!! I pulled in. It was Ray Mares asking me if I was a Golden Gate Goat. I said no but would like to be. So he let me park there, and the rest is history! Vicki and I joined and really like the club. The members are the reason it is the best. Everyone is so nice and fun to be with. The events are unique and enjoyable. Thanks for letting us be a part of the club. P.S. I won't get into what the best year is, but all of us have reasons for our choices. <:0) Tom and Vicki |
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