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MY 1967 GTO “THE BEST YEAR”
by Jim Kendall
Back in early 1966 when I was all of sixteen years
old, my mother needed a new car for herself, so I suggested she consider
a Pontiac Lemans. Of course my recommendation was not just any “run of
the mill” Lemans - but the GTO version which should also include a
convertible top, a Hurst heavy-duty four speed (on the floor), three
deuces, and positraction. My sweet mother said she could understand the
convertible for the few sunny and temperate days in Chicagoland, but what
were those other things (options) and why did she need them? I
convincingly explained that the four speed and three deuces saved on fuel
consumption (gas was an exorbitant 26¢ a gallon) because “under normal
driving conditions” the car usually operated on only one of three
carburetors and the other two carbs were for “some extra power” for
instance, to safely accelerate when merging on to a freeway. The
positraction was to lend stability in icy or snowy road conditions. (Was
that convincing or what?)
Needless to say I closed the deal with my mom and that
was the genesis of my sales career which continues today.
In retrospect the only things that I regret about
selling my mother on the “rocket with wheels” was that she would get
leg cramps from trying to push down the heavy duty clutch, and whiplash
when she did finally try to quickly and safely merge on to a freeway.
The ‘66 was mine on the weekends and summers and I
proceeded to paint the streets of suburbia black with the residue of
several sets of red-line tiger paws.
In ‘66 there were no smog controls in Illinois and
they pumped leaded high-octane gas which allowed the 3 twos to put some
fire power into the 389.
That beautiful yellow with black GTO was sold when I
went to college in 1968 and I always wanted another GOAT.
Fast forward 30 years to 1998. I finally had enough
disposable coin to search for a 1965 to 67 GTO. I wanted to get a car
that was in very cherry condition because as I have related to several of
my G.G.G. associates, I am a great polisher but as my wife says “I am a
danger to myself and others when I am near tools.”
I looked at cars for over two years and I finally
found one on the Internet which the owner in Florida had created a very
comprehensive web-site just to sell the car - a red with white 1967
convertible.
I am extremely happy to again (after 30+ years) be
able to drive a nice GTO. The previous owner who restored most of the car
added a few touches to the car like some chroming of the engine parts.
Most viewers at the shows the G.G.Goats attend will ask me if I own a
chrome shop - I respond by pointing to the engine compartment and say “I
do now.”
I conclude by stating that my wife and I have been
very happy to be associated with the members of G.G.Goats. I find this
club to be very un-pretentious and engaging...as long as your discussion
the superiority of the GOAT to Chevy, Ford, or Mopar or debating on which
is “the best year” - hint...it’s 1967!
Have a great Fall and Holiday season.
Jim and Sharon Kendall
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