Hi to all, my name is Paul Stalder and I'm writing you from Geneva Switzerland. Here's my situation. I was having some work done at a local paint shop and I see a car sitting under a pile of dust. Being a car fanatic and owning a 1966 Mustang myself I looked and it turns out to be a Pontiac GTO. (I think?) The owner says it's a Swiss imported GTO (speedo in kms) and it hasn't been on the road for about 8-10 years since he got married, started having kids and life caught up with him. He did the paint (not the original colour) and it looks good. I took down some numbers.

VIN is 2D37T2P136879. Data plate says ST 72-23537 P TR 273 A51 11E 57T

I can figure out what most of that means from other websites but I'd like to know if it's a real GTO. Apparently it has 91500 kms, black int (not original but in near perfect cond from a donor car) 400 cid (that he says runs)Rochester Quadrajet with an auto trans.(THM 400?). He also said that the previous owner told him the engine was rated at 350 horse? Is this a load of BS? Right now it’s sitting on rims that look like Cragars but he says he has the original honeycomb wheels? And it has a black vinyl top. Here's the catch, I might be able to get it for 5000 swiss francs. Around 3700 USD or whatever that is in CND$. Is this a deal? What’s a car like this worth in overall good shape but not show. Should I run and buy it tomorrow 'cause I've found one of those rare deals that we all hear about or dream about(I have my doubts) or what? I would really appreciate any knowledgable advice. I know quite a bit about Mustangs but nothing about GTO's, although I knew a guy who owned a Judge in Oakville Ont. about 20 years ago. It was incredibly fast at 10.5 QT and 485 horses at the rear wheels! BTW I'm from Mississauga originally. Thanks for any info. And GO LEAFS GO!!

Paul Stalder 25 route de Pressy 1253 Vandoeuvres

home - 022 750 1702 mobile - 079 623 1224 email - paulstalder@mydiax.ch

-- Paul Stalder (paulstalder@mydiax.com), April 11, 2003

Answers

GTO in Geneva

Hi Paul:

Yes you have found a gem! At $3700US or roughly $5500 CAD this is the steal of a lifetime, especially if it is in good running condition. Most '69 GTOs with the YS 400 motor were rated at 325 hp, but most enthusiats will tell you that figure was understaed by about 50 hp. With some mild tuning, bigger cams, headers and beefed up exhaust, you could easily be pushing 400+ hp - serious power. If you can get some pictures, please send them on. If you are not interested in buying it, I would be. Maybe we can work something out. The biggest cost/problem will be shipping it back to Canada. Hope this helps, let me know how you made out.

Robert

-- Robert Luciano (looch@sympatico.ca), November 06, 2003.