Palm Springs bid tops at $42k for a 1964 Pontiac GTO Tri-Power but it shockingly still holds out for glory

This 1964 Pontiac GTO Tri-Power has been spotted on the auction block, primed and ready to relive its glory days – but still, nobody bid.

It’s arguably the most iconic car of its generation; at least it’s in the conversation alongside the Ford Mustang and Porsche 911. Sixty never looked so good.

Often credited for being the birthright of the muscle car genre, the Pontiac GTO combined a V8 race engine in a mid-size coupe body, and it had no right to be as good as it was.

But over 60 years after it first stole the show, the limelight has been cast on a 1964 Pontiac GTO Tri-Power that has strolled down the Palm Springs red carpet, but left alone.

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This 1964 Pontiac GTO Tri-Power is a beauty

Six decades after it was first released, the Pontiac GTO now serves as one of the gold mines that barn-find enthusiasts hunt for.

But while these classic cars attract attention, the real sought-after crowning jewel is the rare Tri-Power engine.

Offering much more horsepower than the standard version, the 1964 Pontiac GTO Tri-Power became a popular beast for those who ride in the fast lane.

Despite its 348hp V8 now being a blast from the past, it’s a signature statement for this timeless car.

Now, one 1964 Pontiac GTO Tri-Power beauty has cropped up in Palm Springs, California, boasting a classic original sand color and the engine every collector desires.

Highlighted by Carfinder, the statement shade of the car attracted much attention at the auction block, standing tall, confident, prim, and proper.

But, priced at $42,000 – a worthwhile investment for the current owner, considering its original sticker price of $2,968 – it failed to sell.

That’s quite a shock, considering some tuned-up GTOs have sold for over $1 million.

Why? Well, the seller failed to present a mileage statement and build documentation, which is enough to make bidders’ toes curl.

The car that was never supposed to exist

The GTO is an icon of its time and the car industry as a whole, but it only exists through a bit of a fluke from Pontiac.

Born out of a loophole in General Motors’ bypass engine restrictions, John DeLorean and his team were able to sell it as an upgrade package, rather than its own model.

That set the GTO on its way as not only the first muscle car, but a rebel in the making, too.

It turned out to be a masterclass, though, as its predicted sales of 5,000 units were obliterated sixfold, as 32,450 GTOs left the factory in the first year alone.

And 7,384 of them were the LeMans Sport Coupes, like this bronzed beast highlighted today.

For this particular 1964 Pontiac GTO Tri-Power, it could be set to capture anywhere from $55,000-$90,000 if previous sales are anything to go by.

So tracking down that paper trail would be a worthwhile hunt.

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