Another car that falls under the category of “still in the chase”.  

A couple of years ago, a 30-year-plus friend of mine returned to the U.S. after living many years in South America.  We both started working in the digital space in its infancy… way back in 1996.  He is a search engine marketing guru and has made a nice living advising clients on best practices to enhance visibility and search engine rankings online.

While catching up on a call, he let me know that he and his brother had inherited a maroon 1965 Pontiac Le Mans Coupe from their father’s estate.   The car was sitting at this brother’s property in North Fort Worth, and they were unsure what to do with the car.  While their dad was a total gear head, the sons did not receive that gene, they were contemplating what to do with the vehicle… keep it for a future appreciating value… or sell it.

I offered to come out and conduct an inspection and provide a written evaluation.  I often get similar calls – from estates, widows, etc. – and I’m always happy to assist.  I’ve heard too many stories of unscrupulous people scamming individuals who are not familiar with the classic car space and just need sound, unbiased advice.

Overall, the vehicle was in solid condition.  The clear coat was suspect and would have to be addressed, and there were the usual system checks (engine tuning, brakes, suspension, electrical, etc.) that needed to be checked for drivability.  It did have the desired tri-carb, two-barrel set up so that was an immediate plus.  The engine did start and run well, but it was a rainy day and too muddy for a test run.

One key factor with this model is authenticity.  Back in the mid-sixties, you could easily order a Pontiac Le Mans or Tempest model and re-badge it as a GTO.   Fortunately, there is a great resource called the “Pontiac Historical Society” (PHS) where you can check the validity of the vehicle by supplying the VIN.   While model and trim level details are hard to come by for classic cars, there was a group of enthusiasts who negotiated with GM during the big bankruptcy in 2009-2010 to secure all the manufacturing data, including window stickers and build sheets.  By paying a small fee, you can order the exact window sticker and build sheet for your specific car to ensure the car is exactly as presented.  You will also know the trim level and options ordered at the time of manufacture.

Initially, I wanted to simply provide the written evaluation to help a friend.  But as it often happens, the more I study a car, the more connected I become and decide to negotiate a sale.  I offered to pay to submit the VIN to the PHS, and if the car came back a true GTO, I’d buy it.

Unfortunately, the car is still in limbo.  One brother (my friend) would sell it in a heartbeat as he’d like to invest the capital from a sale.  The other brother feels they should wait to see if they can get a much stronger price.  While I offered a reasonable price, I must take into consideration the costs to restore the vehicle.  And that the other brother may not be considering is that every day the car sits in its current condition, it deteriorates and loses value.  

We will see how it plays out.  In the meantime, I shoot a note to my friend about every six months to catch up and check in.