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The GTO was driven several years
as a street machine but Jon was a drag racer at heart and the desire never left him. The GTO was transformed into a ¼ mile drag car complete with a Pontiac 462 cubic inch engine, trans brake,
race only transmission, racing seats with 5-point seat belts, fiber glass hood with scope, large slicks and a complete NHRA
certified roll cage. The engine was dynoed at 627 horsepower and turned the quarter
mile in 10.6 second at 125 mile per hour.
Racing days GTO!
Racing Days 627 horsepower engine!
In 2009 Jon began to put the GTO back into its street legal form again. The
massive role cage was cut out; the engine rebuilt with a milder cam and lower compression aluminum heads. A street T-400 transmission replaced the full race transmission. The original hood replaced the fiberglass
hood used for racing.
The differential ratio was raised to a
3.42 positraction unit. All of the gages and accessories that had been removed during the GTO’s racing
years were brought back to life. Jon add power disc brakes, power steering, horn, wipers, turn signals and all the things
necessary to get the GTO street worthy again. To add to the drive ability of the old Pontiac, John added a tubular control
arms, high performance springs and sway bars front and back.
The interior of the GTO was installed by Kevin Collin
of Stillwater, which is back to the original Pontiac interior from the factory. The
added gages on the console are a nice touch and more information for when an old racer needs to know!
Notice Jon left the tach and shift light in the GTO just in case Larry Crider invites him to Tulsa Raceway to
attemd the Pontiac Nationals!
Racing Days Interior!
The car still puts out 483 horsepower,
539 pounds feet of torque and will run in the twelve second range for the quarter mile.
The GTO has Weld Pro Star Forged Racing
Wheels with 215/65R15 BFG’s up front and 225/70R15 in the rear.
Even the trunck of the old Pontiac GTO is back to like new condition.
Racing days differential!
A complete new dual exhaust system, including Flowmasters and stainless tips were added by Max Horton Mufflers
of Stillwater.
Jon and Judy's red 1968 Pontiac Lemans you see in the background
has also been restored, but that is for another story!
The Cimarron Starlite
Cruisers sincerely appreciate Jon and Judy Bartram for sharing their Classic 1969 Pontiac GTO and letting
us feature their car as the Great Oklahoma Classic for May 2023.
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