It is quite amazing to me how some Auto World bodies are already becoming extremely hard to come by-and thus extremely expensive-in spite of their young age. In some cases this is understandable, especially where a particularly awesome car meets low production (such as the Cobra Daytona Coupe). But what accounts for the seeming scarcity of the ’64 GTO? In 2020 I bought one of these brand new in metallic green, and although that model does seem to be the easiest one to find, it still rarely comes up for sale. But the older variations? Good luck! I went looking for a red one from Release 1 last year and the only one I ever found had an asking price of $200! No thanks! Eventually I found a “relative” deal on this white version from Release 3: not my favorite color on a GTO maybe, but not bad for $5o or so on its original (but quite used) non-track-mag chassis.
Well, the body was good and clean, so when it arrived it got put on an Ultra-G and fitted with a set of Hurricane wheels from Vincent. Since this body is smaller than many AW releases-and in particular it is narrower-I chose to use the narrow-spec wheels Vincent likes to call “size A.” Worked quite well, I’d say, especially fitted with those nifty RRR Goodyear Polyglas GT RWL tires. Runs good too; not the fastest car in the muscle fleet, but since ’64 was the first year for the GTO when the model was still an option package for the Tempest and still getting its “sea legs,” maybe that’s not too surprising!
“Shadow Of Light,” named after the VHS video release from groundbreaking early goth-rock band Bauhaus, is a remarkably well preserved original car, a California native campaigned by Robert “Rotor” Rotowski of El Cajon. In the classic 60’s combo of white with blue vinyl interior, she is the 325 HP 389 V8 equipped with the single 4V Carter under the hood, running through the extra cost option M20 wide-ratio 4-speed (no cheap 3-speeds at Drag City, please!) to a Safe-T-Track limited slip rear, along with a number of other desirable options, including the handling kit, metallic brake linings, 4-spoke sport steering wheel, and heavy duty radiator. Still wearing her original drum brakes-not a good configuration for a road course-she’s not going to be terribly competitive, but she does give the crowd a chance to see what racing in a really original muscle car was like back in the diz-ay.
Rotowski admits he is considering an upgrade to disc brakes and improved cooling as modifications in addition to the already upgraded breakerless ignition, leaving race fans to ponder: stay original, or go for the win? GTOs belong in the winner’s circle, to be sure, but remember: they’re only original once!
It looks like this was a good find. The wheel choice looks to be a good one for the proportions of this car!