The Sakamoto's 1970 Yagi (Goat)

It all started in 1969, when I saw my buddy's sister's 1968 Verdoro Green GTO. I knew from that day on, the car of my dreams would be a "GOAT".

Here is a bit of background on how and why I purchased my GTO. After graduating from high school in 1967, I was attending college, but during this time my mom asked me to stop attending school to find a job to help support the family. So I did and found a job at General Electric Company in San Jose as a Drafter. She needed me to do this because in 1958 my dad had a stroke which disabled him from work. The state denied him disability assistance until May 1970. Finally, my Dad received his first disability check, which was retroactive 12 years from 1958.

After receiving this much needed money, my parents told me to look for a new car. So, being the good son that I was, I did as I was told. They were probably expecting something along the lines of an economical 4-cylinder car, such as a Datsun or Toyota. Wow, did they have a big surprise when I came home with the roaring engine of a sparkling NEW 1970 Granada Gold GTO 4 Speed with Safe-T-Track! The funny part of this was I had never driven a stick-shift before buying the GOAT. However, when I test drove the GTO, I did pretty well (much to my surprise) for a novice.

I can remember going to the Service Station (A Service Station is when a gas station attendant checked your oil and water, wiped your windows and added air to the tires, FREE!) and purchasing leaded 100+ octane gas for about 30 cents a gallon, those days are just a memory and gone. Hey, do you remember in 1973 when gas rationing was happening? ODD and EVEN days& long lines at the pump, the "LAST CAR" sign, maximum speed limit reduced to 55 mph? I do, and one good thing about that was I worked at a Service Station on weekends and didn't have to worry about it. I just filled up my tank when needed.

After getting married, raising two children, this GTO has been seen with
(2) car seats in the rear, and it was my daily driver. When our son Ryan was about 3 years old, he came to my wife Carole and asked, "Who is picking me up today?". Carole replied, "Today is Daddy's turn". He groaned, "No Mommy you pick me up!". Carole asked, "Why?". He replied, "Because Daddy's car makes too much noise and gives me a headache!".

Today, our son is 21 years old and doesn't complain about the noise anymore. In fact, one of the reasons why we changed the color of the car to Black was because he likes that color, and one day will be the owner of this Goat.

Carole's Confessions
a) The car's first dent was due to Carole backing out of a parking space. She didn't notice a short pole behind the GOAT and then CRUNCH went the car. Marvin was incredibly calm with the situation, and Carole was still allowed to drive the car! Hence, Confession #2.
b) One rainy day, Carole used the GOAT to move out of her apartment. She loaded up the GOAT with all of her clothes, and one of the wire hangers punctured and tore a small part of the headliner. Again, surprisingly Marvin was incredibly calm.

Another quick note about my GTO.
Carole and I joined the Golden Gate Goats about the same time that we began our full frame off restoration which started in August 1999 and finally was completed in May 2004.Yippee!! (Nearly 5 years without our GOAT). Finally in late May 2004 the last touches were made to the car and just in time for the Good Guys Show in June. We have been attending the Good Guys event these past few years, but this year by bringing the Goat we were a participant for the first time.

This car has a lot of sentimental value because of the hardship that was imposed on my parents and our family as I was growing up and the sacrifices that were made.

It is so wonderful to have found an organization that is centered on the love of GTO's. The Golden Gate Goats has been a really great car club to be associated with as we didn't have our car until recently but they always treated us like a regular car club member. All the new friends that Carole and I have made with the club have been a great joy. It doesn't matter what kind of GTO, Lemans, or Tempest you have from 1964 to 1974, we all share one common thread of interest "The love of our cars and being around other GOAT-ERS!!". Thanks for the fun and friendships we have made over the years, you guys are the best! It s always grrrreat to be at the events.

Hugs and Prayers to all,
Marv and Carole Sakamoto

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