[michaelroy]

I'd be intrested to know: Right Now, how many members of this forum are restoring a 65, whether it's is a gto or lemans. For example I am have spent approx. 15K, have never driven it or even seen it except on jack stands. This hobby is not meant for anyone w/o imagimation I guess.
michaelroy

[tripower]

I have a 65 GTO convert project that I rarely work on. I keep trying to get started on it but always have an easier project to do (just finishing up my 66 hardtop). So I guess I'm in the same boat....or should I say goat ....

[Lemans64]

Not a 65 But a 64 Lemans, got over 20g into it, but it's a driver, might not look to pretty but i'm havin fun. Has had the body off, all drive train done, disc brakes, etc. Now just have to come up with another 10 to get it painted. Any donations?? LOL.

[matt carr]

I'm on the final stages of a two year frame off in a 65 gto. I would guess we will have approx 30g in it not counting labor by the time it is done.

[656769gto]

I finished mine 11 yrs ago, but could use a new paint job now (nice but some sm chips). When you say you never seen it, do you mean its in a shop? I did mine myself and took a 1 1/2 yrs and about 10K. Dont give up, when its finished you wont be able to stop looking at it. It also helps to go to shows and look at other pics of 65's to keep you motivated.

[chinquapalian]

65 lemans conv bought 2 yrs agofor 15k,pwr, air ,good driver,another5k in it.326, t400.needs new engine , discs, new interior. money pit . my new 65 gto 3-2, m20 conv was 3.6k. things change

[Jerry H.]

My 65 resto has come to a halt. See: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=551411

Probably 2-2500 will finish it up. Lot's of money invested.

[ks gto (Cap)]

Our 65 will be finished this week-I hope. It went in for a repaint early last fall after an overspray incident last summer. That turned into a frame off--mostly unplanned, but why put a great paint job on a discovered problem. While we were at it, I did other upgrades at the time that added to the expense.

[Jason Hart]

I "officially" started my frame off on my 1965 GTO hardtop on 6-6-08. Bought the car back in the begining of 2007. Been in the planning stage for over a year, picking up a few parts here and there. Completely disassembled the car in less than a month and dropped it off at the sandblaster on Monday. It will be their for 2 weeks and then go to the metal guy. Metal guy is supposed to be $5000 (car needs a lot of work). After the metal guy it goes to paint guy for full epoxy coating inside and out. Then it's time for the bondo work and paint prep. Then paint, then reassembly. I figure the car will be on the road next year.

Current damage:

Car $5158 including tax and title
Parts $1375

Blast $1000
Metal $5000

Total $12533 For a rust free straight 65 GTO in bare metal with 95% of parts in hand

I'm hoping to keep the entire project under $30000, but it's going to be tight. These things are not for the faint of heart!

[my62toy]

I have a 65 Lemans which I will 'clone' into a GTO. Great solid baseline car for $8k, $5k for motor rebuild, $2k for TH400 rebuild, another three or four thousand for misc parts I have bought, and so far she is sitting on jackstands, stripped out interior, looking like a mess. My guess is I will have $35k - $40k in there when I'm done, and she will be a "driver". It will take 3 or more years.
With that said, I'm in no rush. It's a hobby, albeit an expense one. But it gives me something to play on now that my 62 Corvette is solid and my driving toy!

[72pontiac]

got my 65 in jan 01 thought i could be done in 4 yrs i still need 4 but every inch of it has been done by myself. bluemist slate parchment interior 4 spd 4 brl. someday

[michaelroy]

Glad to know I am not in this sinking boat alone. That's a lot of money being spent around the country on these old goats. I had a 65 and a 66 back when they were pretty new. So, as you can imagine I am in a lot bigger hurry to finish mine. I'll be too old to push the clutch in pretty soon. Taking her to the body shop on the 15th to start that process. Hopefully by Spring I'll be close. Have a good 4th guys and send any left over parts to old michaelroy.

[oldtempest]

Been working on my 65 tempest for over a year now.I bought it out of a field where it had been sitting for 30 years,so I have never seen it run.After a year of extensive metal work the body is solid,the frame is cleaned and painted,the underside of the car is done and painted.Now I'm working on getting the body strait so I can paint that to.
I bought a parts car with a rebuilt 400 engine and tranny that are ready to go in the car.
I have spent over $10,000 so far on parts,most are still waiting to go in after the painting is done.I still have some stuff to buy but the list is getting smaller.Hopefully by next summer I will be driving it and can get started on my 64 chevy truck restoration.
Its a sickness I tell ya.