Seeing this 1965 Pontiac LeMans Convertible GTO replica pull up last year was pretty darn exciting. Red, 5-Speed Stick, Convertible and with a sound that only a built big block V-8 makes, we were stoked to have in the shop, well, at least we were thinking we would be stoked. A long time customer drove up as we were first looking it over, and it bought on the spot. We never even got it on the rack to look underneath or through the 100’s of pages of receipts that came with it. Fast forward to another year and our buyer has sold his house and shop building forcing the selling of numerous cars and bikes.
The story of the car, as we were told when we first had it, is that it was restored by the owner of body shop in Abbotsford, BC who completed a body off restoration on a LeMans Convertible, bringing it back as a GTO replica, but better mechanically then a stock GTO. There are a couple of pictures with the frame being prepped and the front and rear disk brakes being installed. There are receipts for $7,089 for a rebuilt engine and $3,641 for the TKO 600 Street Kit 5-Speed with a McLeod Dual Performance Clutch Kit, $1,600 for the Disk Brake Kit just as examples. Every penny spent on the car was kept with the totals running over $20,000 in receipts without including any labor for the bodywork. $1000 was spent on the exhaust system which included the electronically controlled cut out solenoids which are operated inside the car from the center console. It is mind boggling how much was spent, but you have to admit, the end result is a knockout.
Our first seller was in Bend, Oregon several years ago, driving through town when he saw the car on a lift in a shop as he was passing. He turned around, found the owner and bought the car on the spot. After a couple of years and some financial changes, he came by Automania with the idea of selling it where our buyer fell in love.
This time we are able to get the car on the lift and take images of the underside. This time we got the car into the shop and were able to look at the invoices and receipts. Hopefully someone is going to see how much work has gone into the car, how much money was spent and how great the results.
The rarity and birth from the Le Mans series has led many to recreate the GTO from lesser cars, some done with the purpose of fooling the less informed, others with the idea of building what they saw as what the car could have been given the resources and available equipment. This particular car is of the later, built about 2005 starting with a frame off restoration that encompasses a 1 ½ inch packet of receipts that again proves, buying a finished car is usually 35% of what it would take to build it.
The VIN# is 237675P277120 and miles showing are 88,648. An inspection prior to bidding or a purchase is welcome and recommended. Better to ask before then after.
Please call us at 541-479-8888 if you have any questions. For more images send us your e-mail address and I will forward them on to you. The car is available for inspection 9-5, Monday through Friday at Automania, 895 SE Gladiola Drive, Grants Pass, OR 97528, 541 479 8888, Oregon Dealer DA1287. The Oregon title is clear and clean with no brands or liens.
If you do not have at least 10 positive feedbacks, please do not bid without contacting me first or your bid will be cancelled or blocked. We do not discuss reserve amounts unless the vehicle does not sell. This vehicle is available for sale at our retail place of business and we reserve the right to end this sale early for any reason. Please see any of our other sales on Ebay or our Ebay Store.
We accept collected funds only and for the amount of the sale. A $1000 deposit must be made within two days of the end of the sale through Paypal or other means of collected funds. We offer a 7 day grace period after this Ebay sale closes to inspect the vehicle yourself and if it is not to your liking, a full refund of the deposit will be made. There will be no questions asked, after your inspection at our shop, if you do not like the vehicle. Payment is due in full after 7 days. The vehicle cannot be picked up until funds have cleared or prior arrangements have been completed. Shipping quotes should be from 97526 Grants Pass, Oregon to where you are. Please, do not use fly by night shippers. We try to offer clean vehicles honestly and to see some loon strapping a car, bike or motor home to an open trailer with bald tires is heart breaking. I can assist the shippers, but that will have to be ordered and paid for by the winning bidder. We cannot accept personal checks. If you have any questions, please e-mail me before bidding and I will do everything I can to answer your questions. Thanks and good luck.