Vehicle Description
GTO Restomod — 461 Stroker, Driver Quality, Fast And Fun
OVERALL CONDITION: Cardinal Red paint is a repaint from 5 years ago and presents well at a distance. Up close: orange peel on the quarters, a 2-inch chip on the hood, and the clear coat is starting to lift on the driver's door. The body is straight with good gaps. The Judge-style rear wing is an aftermarket add — it's mounted well. Chrome is driver quality — the front bumper has a small dent and the taillight lenses have minor cracking. Glass is clear. The 17-inch wheels are modern and fill the wells. Interior is black vinyl bucket seats — driver quality. The front seats have minor wear. Aftermarket gauges are mounted in the dash — Autometer. The center console is present. Carpet is clean. The headliner is tight. The interior is functional and clean but not show-quality.
ENGINE: 461 CI V8 (stroker Pontiac 400 bored and stroked) rated at 500+ HP. The engine has 12,000 miles since the build. It starts on the first crank and idles at 900 RPM — it has a lopey cam and sounds serious. No smoke. Compression is 175+ psi across all cylinders. The carburetor is a Holley 850 that runs clean — no stumble, no rich running. The engine pulls hard from 2,500 RPM and revs to 6,000+. Headers feed into a 3-inch dual exhaust with FlowMaster mufflers — the sound is deep, aggressive, and unmistakably Pontiac. Cooling system runs at 190°F with an aluminum radiator. This is a strong, reliable engine.
TRANSMISSION: 4-speed manual (Muncie M21). Shifts are crisp in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. 4th gear has a slight grind on fast shifts — syncro wear. Clutch is a Centerforce unit — firm pedal, positive engagement. No slippage. The shifter is a Hurst Competition Plus — mechanical feel, no play.
BRAKES: Power disc brakes front and rear — upgraded. The pedal is firm and the brakes are strong. Front discs at 60%. Rear discs at 70%. The system works well. Parking brake works.
UNDERCARRIAGE: Frame is solid — no structural rust. Surface rust on the undercarriage. Floor pans are original with surface rust — solid, no perforation. Front suspension has been rebuilt with new bushings and springs. Rear is a 12-bolt Pontiac rear with 3.55 gears — solid. Subframe connectors are welded in. Gas tank is original with surface rust — no leaks. The undercarriage is solid and serviceable.
Test Drive Experience
The 461 stroker fires up with a lopey, aggressive idle — the cam gives it a serious muscle car sound. It smells like a performance engine — unburnt fuel and exhaust. The clutch is heavy — this is a muscle car clutch.
First gear engages and the GTO launches — the 461 has enormous torque and the rear end wants to step out if you're not careful. The Hurst shifter clicks through the gears with mechanical precision — clack, clack, clack. At 3,000 RPM, the engine comes alive and the car pulls like a rocket.
The Pontiac 461 has a different character than a Chevy big block — it revs more freely and has a higher, sharper exhaust note. The disc brakes are strong — you can haul it down from speed with confidence. The steering is manual and heavy at low speed but precise on the road.
The subframe connectors keep the chassis from flexing — the car feels tight. At 70 MPH in 4th gear, the engine is at 2,800 RPM and the exhaust is loud but not unbearable. After 30 minutes of hard driving, the temp held at 190°F.
This GTO is fast, fun, and raw — it's a muscle car the way they were meant to be.
| Engine Size | 455 HO V8 |
|---|---|
| Transmission | 4-Speed Automatic |
| Transmission Detail | 4 Speed Automatic |
| Rear Axle Ratio | 3.55:1 |
| Est. Fuel Consumption | 9 city / 14 hwy MPG |
| Mileage | 12,000 mi (actual miles) |
| Exterior Body Color | Cardinal Red |
|---|---|
| Interior Color | Black |
| Stock Number | P9836 |
|---|---|
| Model Year | 1969 |
| Make | Pontiac |
| Model | GTO |
| Sub Model / Trim | Restomod |
| Inventory Location | Woodinville, WA |
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