Although Pontiac’s legendary GTO was born earlier as an option package on the LeMans in coupe, hardtop, and convertible body styles, it was for the 1966 model year when it became a separate nameplate.

I've always loved the early GTOs, but I wanted one built to my taste rather than stock," Bill Herder of Finleyville, Pennsylvania, tells HPP. "In the process, I didn't want to devalue a restorable GTO ...