GTO Advice

a 74 with a 455 !!

Look out for 8 miles per gallon and enough pollution gadgets bolted to the block for two engines.

========= Harryface =========

~_~_~_~_U.S.A._~_~_~_~_~_

~~~The Former Fleet ~~~

Don't buy it. The 1974 is not a collector car. It only came with a 350. It doesn't matter who put the 455 in there, it's not original. Other than that, it's just an extrememly old car, with no restoration parts availability. GW

First off, its not a big block. All Pontiacs have the same external size from 265-455. Its all in the bore and stroke.

The 1974 GTO came with a 350 Pontiac engine from the factory. Having a

The 73-74 GTO's are an acquired taste and generally considered the worst of the GTO's. Don't expect to make any money off it down the road.

Face, my '73 455(same as '74) gets about 15MPG with a 3.08 rear end.

I wasn't looking at it as an investment plan. However your advice has given me pause to reconsider.

While it has less than 10,000 documented miles since new, and price is under $10,000 I really don't want to be stuck with something that nobody else wants.

What I did want was something that was driveable, had decent performance, (gas mileage is not an issue, I'm 4 miles from work), was nice looking, and would not depreciate faster than space shuttle with bad tiles.

Best regards,

Alex

Alex,

I wouldn't drop this one too quick. Contrary to what others have said the '74s are getting more interest in the last few years. Yes they are a bit more difficult to restore since they are a one year only car but if you have a 10000 mile car you should be in pretty good shape.

If you can document the 455 was installed as a special dealer package I guarantee a couple of Pontiac Magazines would love to run an article on the car. The light "Nova" body with even a mild 455 should really scream.

Couple of things to watch on this car are making sure that you have the complete scoop assembly as finding a replacement is like going after the lost ark. Also the front grille and instrument panel are pretty unique and hard to find.

$10,000 or less would be a bargain for a 10000 mile car.

Just my 2 cents.

Steve Green

You didn't mention it had 10,000 original miles. Then yes, this is probably a somewhat valueable 74 GTO. BUT it will only be valuable if you don't drive it. Something like that I'd try to keep to no more than 100-200 miles a year. Basically the occasional drive to keep things working. If you are looking for a car to enjoy this isn't the one ...

I bought a '71 T/A with 129,000 miles and non-original block, trans, and rear end to enjoy and use as a daily driver.

I'm not sure why, but for some reason, people will repeat any kind of stupid story when they try to sell you their car. Oh, I remember why they do it, it's your money. Here's the deal:

1. This cannot be documented by hard information (like PHS).
2. It's possible it could be verified by the dealer or documented by the original owner, or even in a magazine article, but then you could be a victim of fraud if you believe whatever they offer. Plus, I assume if there was a paper trail you'd have seen that by now.
3. Even if the dealer did do it, it's not really a collectible combination in my opinion.

Here's what I'd do: I'd ignore it. Even if the 455 was dealer installed, presume that it adds no value to the car, and you can't go wrong. If you buy it, show everybody how classy you are by NOT spending the rest of your life trying to convince us all you have a "dealer installed" 455 at car shows.

Point well taken, and I've passed on purchasing the vehicle.

I wasn't looking for a retirement investment, but overall it looks like if anything the 455 may have decreased the value.

The seller only has an oral history of the car, and while he seems like a good honest fellow and the car looks to have been put together at the dealer or factory that way, it just isn't enough for me to fool with it.

Best regards, and you can rest easy at the car shows....

-alex