[Andre]

Joe- thanks for the explanation. Hopefully technology will be developed so you can prolong your sight indefinitely.
i'll mark my calendar and start trying to rally the troops from here.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Old Blue 66

Theres a phase two? I thought phase one was a job well done.

Originally Posted by Andre

I would probably get a bunch of points deducted because instead of painting, I powdercoated in varying degrees of gloss to match the factory finish. The rear end an is the only piece that was painted. My plan was to drive the car so I figured this would minimize the chips etc.

Paul,

Thanks for the kind words, but I'm never done. When I assembled the undercarrige I just went black, I've since realized some parts should be "natural". Plus with all the miles Linda and I put on the car this summer I have a bit of cleaning to do.

Andre,

Powder coating is really tempting considering I drive this beast as well as show it. It would be nice not to worry about it.

Best, Harry

[Andre]

Its almost 5 years later, and the under carriage still looks brand new. As mentioned in an earlier post, I had powder coated my Ram Air pan. When I had to work it over with a scraper to get off the glue residue, it didn't even nick the finish. If it was painted, the paint would have scratched off alot easier.
The appearance of a powder coated item is like it has been painted.

[Andre]

Sometime in 2016, I decided I wanted get away from the Hurst wheels and got to a more stock configuration. Jeff Hamlin had a set of almost NOS hubcaps, so I purchased those and a set of 14x7 stamped steel wheels. Upon initial installation the wheel cleared the caliper bracket, but when torqued to spec, there was intereference so we had to remove a little material.

[Andre]

Continuing to feel the need for the original factory wheelcover, I watched this NOS set on ebay for about a year and a half, before I finally said what the heck and pulled the trigger on them. After I got over the initial price shock, I am very happy with them. I think this was in 2017 or 2018. Time sure flies.

I haven't done anything else to the car except drive it. The tires are now 13 years old but the miles on them are nominal.

At some point in 2017, I decided I didn't like the stock color of the brown rubber mats so I redyed them gold to match the interior. This is not correct, but looks so much better.

For years I had problems with the passenger side inner door handle popping off randomly.. I finally realized that the aftermarket retaining clip was not spring like an original, and replaced it with a 50 year old piece. It never popped off again.

I also felt the wood shifter knob was too small for my hand so I switched out to the standard black knob.

That is mostly it.

The car did gain some notoriety as it appears in a recent book on the GTO called The Definitive Pontiac GTO Guide 1964-67

[tempest1964]

Sweet ride Andre!

[Greg Reid]

The car still looks great Andre. The old photo thread shows how many of these cars came with hubcaps/wheel discs back in the day. Out of curiosity, what wheels came on the car originally?

[vidguy]

You should be proud and satisfied.. What a great thing you have done and to have it, share it and drive it. I love the wheel covers. I agree. I think more GTOs came with deluxe wheel covers than is represented by the wheel treatments on the cars we all drive today. My car did.

[70L34]

Andre, your car looks awesome.

[Andre]

I finally took the car to an AACA national show in Melbourne about 2 weeks ago. I was fortunate to win a First Junior which is the best it could do for its first time out. I might try for a First Senior, but that requires a one year wait. The restoration shows some age in places, and about a month ago, I replaced the redline tires. Although the mileage was low on them, the years were long... 16 to be exact. Chunks were starting to break loose from the inner sidewall.

[Mike Davis]

Very nice car.

[boltbuster]

Congratulations, Andre... Your goat may be an 'aging beauty,' but she looks awfully good from here!

[Greg Reid]

Still looks great Andre. Congratulations!

[spartazoo]

Thank you for the pictures and the motivation. My marina turquoise 66 GTO was painted in 1991 and still looks great, but needs some refreshers. I started collecting the parts last month to start a major refresh. Back when I started the restoration of this car (1988) the parts just weren't available like they are today. I have now passed 50 and not getting any younger, while the car just sits in the garage. So, I am diving in starting with building the correct wide ratio 4 spd and 3.90 rear end. After that will be a 1967 brake upgrade and wood dash replacement. I have decided to leave the engine compartment alone until I have the entire car repainted. It's not too bad.

So, thank you for the motivation by sharing your pictures. My goal is the 2022 Pure Stock Drags in Stanton, MI in September.

[will slow gto]

Beautiful car and those wheel covers look awesome on it the way they stick out from the wheel. I pay closer attention to the 68-72 so I have never seen these wheel covers before. Bet they get a lot of comments.

[Andre]

[QUOTE=will slow gto;6326549]Beautiful car and those wheel covers look awesome on it the way they stick out from the wheel. I pay closer attention to the 68-72 so I have never seen these wheel covers before. Bet they get a lot of comments.[/QUOTE

No one seems to say too much about those wheelcovers unless they own a '66 and recognize them :-(

[ZeGermanHam]

Congrats, Andre! Your '66 is a real stunner.

[428ho4spd]

Still looks stunning, Andre! Love those cone-caps, they are bad-ass! My old neighbor up the street where I grew up was the original owner of a low optioned Marina Turquoise '66 Post w/3-speed on the column, but it had those cool wheel covers.

Grant

[Old Goat 67]

Andre,
Love your car!!

One question please, Where did you get the foam for the Ram Air pan?
Charles

[Andre]

I got the foam from Ames, and previously from PY. Life expectancy on an engine for the foam is about 4 years. Because of that, I glue magnets to the foam and attach it that way so it is easy to take off when the foam starts to disintegrate. This is my third foam, but there were a few years where I just ran it with regular carb bases, and not ram air pan