The Rarest 1966 Pontiac GTO Shipped Its Ram Air Parts In The Trunk
Arguably, one of the rarest Pontiac GTO models to ever exist had junk in its trunk as it left the factory in pieces. But by junk, I mean crucial components needed to complete a rare build kit for enhanced power. Ram Air parts were shipped in the trunk for dealers and owners to install later, but at least a few pieces were factory installed before the rare GTO hit its limits on the assembly line. But unfortunately, the process of finding documented survivors is difficult.
The 1966 Pontiac GTO Had Ram Air Parts Shipped In The Trunk
There was a special Pontiac GTO build option introduced in 1966 that included having a few crucial parts shipped directly from the factory in the trunk for dealers or owners to install. General Motors had anti-racing rules and horsepower limits that banned factory-backed racing programs and limited the promotion of specialized track components on the assembly line. But shipping parts in the trunk provided a loophole to take advantage of.
The components include the cold-air induction pieces such as the metal Ram Air pan or the under-hood metal air cleaner base/pan designed to seal against the underside of the hood and the induction seals or foam gaskets that seal the pan to the hood area. This build hit factory limits as dealer prep work included building the cars with closed, non-functional hood scoops and standard air cleaners.
Because the parts weren’t bolted on the assembly line, people had a bit of work to do in order to complete the package. For example, a mechanic had to cut the metal and bracing under the hood scoops with a rotary tool or metal-cutting saw to make the system functional. At least the kit came with instructions.
Luckily, a few pieces of the GTO kit were installed at the factory. For example, the package included the 389 Tri-Power engine with a high-lift #744 camshaft, heavy-duty valve springs with dampeners, 4.33:1 rear gears, a close-ratio Muncie four-speed manual transmission, and heavy-duty Safe-T-Track differential.
The 1966 Pontiac GTO XS Ram Air Is An Extreme Racer
The 1966 GTO XS Ram Air is the first time there was a factory-offered Ram Air package, making it extremely historically significant. With the XS stamped 398 cubic-inch (6.4-liter) V8 engine, you get 360 hp and 424 lb-ft of torque. But historians estimate that the power output was closer to 380 to 400 hp. The rating was most likely underreported to bypass corporate limits.
The XS-code Ram Air package helps the GTO accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 5.8 seconds and crush a quarter mile in around 14.0 seconds at about 103 mph with a top speed of roughly 125 miles per hour. The heavy-duty 4.33:1 rear axle ratio was developed for rapid quarter-mile acceleration instead of high top speeds.
But the duration of the aggressive camshaft is debated. Some sources cite a 301/318-degree duration while others list a 301/313-degree duration. Either way, the duration was increased from 288/302. Also, the standard tri-power 389 V8 has the same factory-rated output. However, it has a 0 to 60 mph time of around 6.5 seconds with a 14.05-second quarter-mile time at 105 mph with a top speed of 125 mph.
This Rare GTO XS Exists In Limited Numbers
The 1966 Pontiac GTO XS Ram Air option was only available for a single model year, and it was introduced halfway through it. But it wasn’t discontinued because it failed or lacked interest. It was a limited production test offering for homologation requirements and drag racing that transitioned into a standard Ram Air option with the new 400 cubic-inch engine in 1967.
So, you could say the experiment went well, but the exact number of models built remains unverified. Pontiac didn’t widely advertise it, and because it faced late availability as a mid-year option, it came out after brochures and initial marketing materials were already printed and distributed.
But the required body modifications came at the risk of damaging the metal hood. Plus, people advised against having the kit installed because the open hood scoops lack modern water-drain baffles or flapper doors, so heavy rain could pour directly into the air cleaner and Tri-Power carburetor.
Plus, records for dealership installs were loosely tracked. Because dealership mechanics performed the hood scoop cut out, there is inconsistent physical evidence across multiple builds. On top of everything else, the XS Ram Air variants were built for racing. These cars may have been pushed past their limits, facing blown engines along with lost and discarded paperwork.
Only about 190 ‘XS’ 398 engines were recorded during the 1966 production run. However, roughly 35 models are believed to be factory installed. Other estimates believe that 300 models were completed by dealerships. It doesn’t help that it’s probably overshadowed by the 1967 factory Ram Air option.
How Much Is The First Pontiac GTO XS Ram Air Package Worth?
Placing a proper value on a surviving 1966 Pontiac GTO XS Ram Air model is a little difficult due to the lack of proper documentation. Finding the XS block on its own can range from $5,000 to over $30,000 depending on quality, condition, and whether it’s paired with heavy-duty components such as the 744 high-output camshaft and springs.
The rare Pontiac car itself could be worth an estimated $100,000 to over $175,000 depending on quality, condition, and documentation. Standard 1966 Pontiac GTO 389 models can be found in project condition for between $8,000 and $20,000. Models in good driving condition are worth about $8,000 to $20,000. Then GTO 389 models in pristine or show condition fetch between $60,000 and over $80,000.
As you could probably guess, the official 1967 Pontiac GTO Ram Air model holds quite a premium. Models in fair condition are scooped up for between $74,500 and $79,000. Then models in excellent condition sell for between $35,000 and over $130,000. But they’re easier to verify.
Source: Hagerty, Classic Auto Insurance
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