The Blue Car

"A Tribute to Jim Wangers' 1964 GTO 'Test Car' built for Car and Driver March 1964" CHAPTER 19 Greg Raymond Patterson’s Speed & Kustom is taking the frame on the 1964 GTO Pilot Car Tribute Build far beyond anything Pontiac ever released from the factory. Every weld, every seam, every contour is being scrutinized, corrected, and perfected until the frame becomes a showpiece in its own right. Instead of accepting the typical production‑line imperfections, uneven scaling, castin

Just as Jim had done in 1964, that GTO became a regular at the local dragstrips, turning heads and earning ink in magazines and advertising campaigns. It wasn’t just a car anymore. It was a bridge between eras, between the man who helped create the legend and the kid he trusted to carry it forward.

We started with the engine and transmission installation. We went through the transmission to make sure it was tuned up in strength to handle the power of our JBA Speed Shop built 389ci Tri-Power. The heart of the Blue Car, now with more power than the power-plant that had stunned Car and Driver with its explosive acceleration was ready to take its rightful place.