Ralph and Dale Hoffmann's 1966 Pontiac GTO cuts a stunning figure, backdropped by a Kansas Air National Guard F4 fighter at McConnell Air Force Base. The crisp lines of both machines look as good today as they did when they were first produced.
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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
At the heart of the matter is this stock-appearing Tri Power equipped 389, completely rebuilt to a 453 cubic inch torque monster producing 405 horsepower and 490 foot-pounds of torque.
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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
The black bucket seat interior remains basically unrestored, with factory upholstery still intact, nearly a half-century after the car was built.
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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
One of the few obvious upgrades from stock are the Cragar SS mag wheels and the BF Goodrich TA radial tires. The wheels are period correct, the tires provide safer handling.
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The simple two-spoked factory steering wheel affords a good view of the wood-grained instrument panel; an aftermarket tachometer mounted to the steering column keeps track of the revs.
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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
The iconic horizontal-slit tail lights immediately identify the GTO from behind. Factory-style dual exhausts exit under the bumper after traveling through a pair of Flowmaster mufflers.
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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
Factory-fresh black vinyl covers the little-used rear seat in the `Goat.'
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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
The GTO was originally equipped with a floor-shifted automatic; the Hoffmanns were able to track down the correct M-20 4-speed manual transmission, complete with Hurst shifter outfitted with a line lock, all nestled in the appropriate center console.
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Pop the hood on the GTO and you'll find a trio of restored 2-barrel carbs perched atop the potent V-8, surrounded by a soft foam gasket that seals the setup to the cold air scoop.
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Ralph Hoffman says the car had at least 14 layers of paint, ranging from bronze to black, covering it when it was stripped to bare metal. Autotech Collision and Service handled the body work and the application of the Montero Red factory paint.
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The restored GTO has been back on the road since this summer and looks ready to take on the F4. Ralph Hoffman hasn't had a chance to clock any runs on a drag strip yet, but figures the car should turn 13-second elapsed times in the quarter mile.
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Another view of the bright red GTO at McConnell Air Force Base, this time with an F105 for companionship. Both Hoffmanns have served in the Air Force, with Ralph currently serving as a boom operator on a refueling tanker.
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Mike Berry / The Wichita Eagle
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