1965 Pontiac GTO - Need Advice

[cstein1970]

I am restoring a 1965 Pontiac GTO and I need advice. This will be my first restoration project and I was wondering what would be a good place to look for parts. I was told that it probably would be best to buy a whole car for the parts that I need and others have told me to buy it piece by piece.

I was told about a site called Copart and was wondering if anyone else has tried it or even heard of it. I figured this would be a good place to find out more about it. Unauthorised link removed by moderator

Thanks

[MrPbody]

C,

I'm up to my "eyeballs" in restoration projects of various Pontiac people (we do the engines). I've never heard of "Copart".

I would recommend Ames Performance and Performance Years as your ONLY sources for Pontiac resto parts. Unlike many others, they do not sell Chevy, Olds or Buick parts. Pontiacs ONLY. Pretty much nobody knows restoring GTOs better than Steve Ames.

Also, one can find ALL the "relacement" parts (suspension, engine, etc.) through "normal" parts sources. No need to go to a resto shop for Moog front end parts... Don't bother with the gravy-grabbers like Advance or AutoZone, as they don't have complete books, nor do they usually have experienced parts people. Often, a NAPA store can be a WEALTH of information and parts. And the LAST place you go for advice is a mail-order "performance" outlet like Summit or Jeg's. They know precious little about Pontiacs to begin with, and even less when it comes to "stock".

If you have specific questions, you're always welcome to post them here. I check in as often as possible. If you want to get deep into it, e-mail me and I can point you in the right direction for whatever you need. (no purchase necessary!!! Argh! Argh! Humor...)

mrpbody@centralvirginiamachine.com

Good "call" on restoring a '65. Purdiest of all the GTOs, IMO. 2nd "nastiest", too! ('70 Ram Air IV car...)

Jim

[maxwedge]

CoPart is a nationwide salvage company that has expanded into sales of all kinds of parts and pieces for older cars as well.

[MrPbody]

MW,

Thank you. If they deal with "cars" and not "engines" (specifically), often I miss "new stuff".

Jim

[GTOHunter]

If You need a lot of parts or major body parts that You cant find or they arent reproduced I would buy a Donor Parts Car....if its just small nit pick parts that Your better off buying new instead of dealing with poor quality or rusty parts get a few Pontiac Catalogs and buy new parts!

[ragtopbird]

ames performance is very good get their catalog( hide your credit card) they have just about everything and rate them for quality as well. ive been building pontiac for 40 years and i find them to be one of the best sources for good parts. u can also try ebay but beware ive bought some heads on there that were not what was advertised. i currently own a 67 1/2 400 m21 3.73 30 over 041 cam 16 heads firebird..love the torque they make