IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS

"A Tribute to Jim Wangers' 1964 GTO 'Test Car' built for Car and Driver March 1964"

CHAPTER 10 Greg Raymond

With the car now in color and the engine receiving its final adjustments, it felt like the perfect moment to step back and appreciate the details. As the saying goes, it’s all in the details, and for this build, that couldn’t be more true.

What made this project so exciting for me and the entire team was the sheer amount of research required to ensure this tribute would represent the real Blue Car as accurately as possible. Every decision, every part, every nuance was guided by documentation, photographs, and firsthand accounts.

As covered in earlier chapters, the Blue Car appeared in the majority of the photos used in the March 1964 Car and Driver article. That gave us a treasure trove of visual reference. Add to that Jim Wangers’ 1998 book Glory Days: When Horsepower and Passion Ruled Detroit, plus countless hours of conversations with friends in the POCI and GTOAA, and we had assembled every scrap of information available.

License Plate & Royal Pontiac Frame

One of the easiest details to confirm was the license plate. In the original photos, the Blue Car clearly wears a 1964 Michigan plate “HJ‑4471” surrounded by an Ace Wilson’s Royal Pontiac plate frame. Thanks to a few sharp‑eyed eBay sellers specializing in Pontiac memorabilia, both pieces were sourced for the tribute.

Wheel Covers: Deluxe vs. Custom

Another detail came from a lively discussion among some of the most respected Pontiac historians. Pontiac offered two optional wheel covers above the standard dog‑dish caps: the Deluxe Wheel Cover and the Custom Wheel Disc.

The Blue Car's Delux Wheel Covers

The Blue Car wore the Deluxe covers. The Red Car wore the Custom Wheel Discs, better known as the “Spinner” wheel covers.

A few clicks later, an NOS set of Deluxe covers was on its way.

The "Red Car's" Spinner Wheel Covers

Under the Hood: The First Major Difference

Under the hood, we find one of only two mechanical differences between the two test cars. The Red Car had power steering but no power brakes. The Blue Car had power‑assist brakes but no power steering. This configuration is supported by Jim Wangers’ book and makes sense given the different types of testing each car was intended to perform.

The Red Car: Power Steering, No Power Assist Brakes

Our donor car had neither option, so adding the correct power‑assist brake system was mandatory. Inline Tube offered a complete kit that made the upgrade straightforward and factory‑correct.

Royal Bobcat Emblems

Both GTOs wore Royal Bobcat sail panel emblems, another strong indicator that both cars were equipped with the infamous “ringer” 421 engines. My longtime colleague and friend Dave Anderson generously donated a set of the Jim Wangers–produced replica emblems for this build. A perfect touch.

The Blue Car with Royal Bobcat Emblems

The Famous “Royal Bobcat” Emblems

Exhaust Splitters

Both cars also featured the optional dual exhaust splitters, exiting just behind the rear wheels. Fortunately, these are readily available as restoration parts.

Mirrors… or the Lack Thereof

One of the more interesting differences between the two cars was the complete absence of an exterior driver’s mirror on the Blue Car. Although Jim’s book mentions a fender‑mounted remote mirror, the photos taken for Car and Driver show no mirrors at all. Not surprising for a pilot car, which often left the factory incomplete or with pre‑production components.

Antenna Placement

Finally, antenna placement: The Red Car had the optional rear‑mounted antenna. The Blue Car retained the standard fender‑mounted antenna.

Another small but important detail that helps distinguish the two cars.

The Red Car’s Rear Mounted Power Antenna

The Blue Car’s Fender Mounted Antenna