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BOB & SANDI KENT’S
1965 GTO
It all started back in
1964 when I was a senior in high school. A classmate’s parents bought
him a brand new GTO with a 4-speed and three twos. 1967 rolled around, I
had a steady job and had to have one of those muscle cars that had become
so popular the last few years. I priced a brand new 1967 Chevelle SS 396.
It was a whopping $3500, a bit more than I could afford, so I began to
look for something used. That is when I saw an add in the San Francisco
Examiner for a 1965 GTO at a Chrysler dealership on Van Ness Avenue. It
was love at first sight ..... an Iris Mist, 4-speed, 4 Barrel, rally dash
with black interior - all for $2100. My brother said he would co-sign for
me so I became the proud owner of a GTO.
Sandi, who was my
girlfriend at the time, probably drove the car more than I did. I took
the bus to work most of the time, so Sandi took the Goat to school. It
was the coolest car at Balboa High. I had no problem making the car
payment each month, however the insurance was another story.
Unfortunately, after only six months, I sold the car and bought a “beater”
1956 Chevy for $300 and swore that one day I would own another 1965 GTO
because it is the “BEST YEAR!”
So, after owning homes and
raising two daughters, I began getting the itch to buy another GTO. Sandi
and I went to the GoodGuys show (and every other show around). That is
when we found the Golden Gate Goats. Lolly Mayeda gave me an application,
now all I needed was the car!
After seeing all the sharp
Goats that were in the club, I seriously began looking. That is when I
discovered that times have changed.....the cars became very expensive but
the insurance was now affordable! One morning I saw an ad in the
newspaper for a one owner 1965 GTO and it was located nearby. I went
right over to see it. It not only was the year I wanted, it was my
favorite color. The owner told me that the car had been repainted once
about 15 years ago and the carpet had been replaced. It wasn’t the
4-speed, 3-twos that I would like to have had, but it was too nice to
pass up.....I was in love! We struck a deal and I drove it home and
immediately added the Cragers, flow masters, air shocks and finally had
the car that I wanted over 30 years ago.
What makes our car even
more enjoyable is being part of a great club, the Golden Gate Goats. It
is nice to have something in common with such great people. All you
members are fun to be with and the events are wonderful. Its amazing how
much the club has grown in the few years since we have become members.
Its GRRRREAT!!
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