Gordie purchased the ’64 GTO in 2002 in Carefree Az, even though he already had another Pontiac project in the works. Since he was still in process of building his first car, another true AZ Pontiac purchased in 1991, this one went in the back yard to rest on jack-stands. Like everything that Gordie does, he took the time and patience to do it right. Once he started the project he obtained the build sheet from the Pontiac History Service. What he learned was that it was a 4 barrel car with 3 speed floor shift, and a local Arizona car. It was built on 2-27-64 at the Fremont Plant and sold through Mecham Pontiac in Glendale Az.  He also got the Aquamarine exterior paint code and knew it was a white interior. Over all it was complete except for the transmission and since it had been sitting for about 20 years with a bad windshield, Mother Nature did take a toll on this car.

Gordie fully restored the interior with all new interior panels and seats, fully restored factory dash, and headliner. He even re-chromed all the original handles and cranks, (nothing aftermarket for Gordie if he can help it), and if any switch part was replaced, you bet he went with NOS where he could. The belly of the beast also caught 100% mechanical redo and no inch of the underside was left unattended to. Since it had a bad axle and he knew it was going to a bad machine, he opted out for a 70' 12 bolt with 3.55 posi and rear sway bar to match . . . and everything powder coated. The motor was bored .30 over, all balanced and rebuilt. Heads got in screw in rocker arm studs, stainless valves and roller rockers, cam is a classic "068" and 2 1/2 ram air manifolds.  What caught my eye the first time I saw it, is that he used 14x6 Mickey Thompson Raders with correct M/T spinners, and for the trans he went with a fully rebuilt Muncie m-20 4speed!

Now, there was sooooo much more done to this car but since my space is limited here I will move on the the back story.

After 13 years, in September of 2015 it was finally back on the road. Being an Az muscle car, Gordie thought that surely someone would recognize it, especially since it still wears the factory faded paint. But after many shows and cruising, nothing happened . . . until early one morning.  After a quick fun spin, Gordie parked it right outside of his home and a yard sale next door was bringing in a lot of traffic. One passerby did the ‘ol double take, made a U-turn and came back to take a closer look. Gordie recognized the gentlemen from past local car gatherings, and the man, named Jim approached him with a huge smile across his face. For Jim, it was like seeing a ghost and he was certain that this Pontiac was part of his past.

Jim noticed a sticker on the back window that said “cannonball”, and knew right away that this was the car his father had bought, new off the show room floor. It was amazing that over the years he hadn’t recognized it sooner, because Jim only lives a few minutes away. Jim shared with Gordie that this very car was driven by his father until 1968 when Jim’s brother took it over during his college days until 1972. Finally, Jim got behind the wheel for 7 years, when he sold it in 1979 to the same guy that Gordie purchased it from. Jim later gave Gordie the original loan paper work that verified the vin. Gordie's hope is to keep the car on the road as long as he can, and he has agreed that the next owner will be Jim. The moral of the story is, your dad’s car could be next door...you don’t know until you look!