1966 Pontiac GTO Convertible
This Montero Red convertible represents the Pontiac GTO at the height of its popularity in 1966, the year the model achieved record production numbers. Out of 96,946 total GTOs built, only 12,798 were convertibles, making droptop examples a desirable minority in the lineup.
The pairing of Montero Red paint, white convertible top, and red interior was one of the most eye-catching color combinations offered that year.
Powering the 1966 GTO was Pontiac’s 389 cubic inch (6.4-liter) V8, offered in multiple configurations. The base four-barrel version produced 335 horsepower, while the optional Tri-Power setup with triple two-barrel carburetors raised output to 360 horsepower. A limited Ram Air package provided similar top-end power but with improved breathing at higher rpm.
Buyers could choose between a three-speed manual transmission as standard, a close- or wide-ratio four-speed manual, or a three-speed Hydra-Matic automatic. All versions featured rear-wheel drive and a dual exhaust system, staying true to Pontiac’s performance-oriented design philosophy.
Chassis improvements helped the 1966 GTO handle its power effectively. The optional Ride and Handling package added stiffer springs, heavy-duty shocks, and a thicker front stabilizer bar, while the standard suspension used coil springs at all four corners. Braking was handled by large drum setups, with power assist available and front discs becoming optional toward the decade’s end.
Standard 7.75×14-inch red-stripe tires mounted on rally wheels completed the performance image. Inside, the GTO featured upscale touches such as a woodgrain dash, bucket seats with a center console, and a rally-style instrument cluster with optional tachometer (elements that made it both powerful and refined for its price class).
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