Joker is one of the best guests I’ve seen in a while! Guy is so grateful to be there and most importantly the car! Foster kid who had a great foster dad that made something of himself the American dream!! Great episode!!
Jordan is such an amazing young man. I can say young since I'm 75. He has a great personality and is very articulate. He is also very polite in redirecting the conversation from Jay's somewhat long moments back to his car. What a journey he has taken from a home for wayward youth to a Lt. colonel in the air force. That journey would be an interesting story in itself. They say mentors play a major role in life's journey and the car guy who took Jordan under his wing not only gave him a love for the GTO but a direction in life. Awesome car and life story!
Two years ago, bought a 1962 Studebaker with 25K original miles. It still had the original shocks - went down the road like a water bed. New shocks all around and it drives like a new car.
Hearing "Joker" and Jay talking about street racing brought back some very fond memories of light to light racing on 82nd street, 122nd street and especially downtown 6th and Broadway in Portland, Oregon 1965 thru 1968 or so. Every Friday and Saturday night those of us who did not have a performance car could park, get out and sit on the fenders of our cars, visit with friends and LISTEN to the sounds of squeeling tires, carburetors and exhaust as those who did have the cars were drag'n from light to light. FUN were those days.
Jay, you have GOT to have this young man back on the show. Doesn't even matter what car. Maybe something utterly odd like a steam car or a Bentley. He's just so genuine, and there's true chemistry between you and him.
One of the best episodes recently. Joker is a great guest and works so well with Jay to keep the story moving forward. He also puts a real face on Predator pilots; they are not just some kid playing video games with a PC airplane simulator; a career Lt. Colonel.
My first car was a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP SUPERCHARGED. I loved Pontiac ever since and have always loved the style of 60s/70s cars. I put a cold air intake and a straight pipe on my GTP and OOOOOOOO BOY....I was setting up car alarms left and right 😂😂😂 The whine of that supercharger with the backfire from the straight pipes was pure bliss. Loved that car so much.
@JordanJokerSmith I don't normally comment on these but Joker - thank you for your service. What a wonderful GTO. Thanks you and Jay for sharing it with us.
Back in the day we never noticed that they didn't stop well. They stopped better than cars from the 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. It was just the technology we had so it was all a no issue.
I think the design contributed to its popularity as much as the performance. The LeMans and GTO have a straight, fast, clean look. The headlights and front grill are just cool to look at.
As a life-long GTO LOVER. My Father, GMC Truck Division Exec, always drove Ponitac's. I was 19 when 65 came out. I graduated college in Summer 68. Wanted a GTO, but hated the new body style (Jay, I agree with you). Off to the Corps for Officer Basic School. Ended up with my Wife's choice, Mercury Cyclone, what a frigging Lemon.
I remember my uncle's 66 GTO when I was a kid in 69-70. Man, I loved that car! Dark blue w/black interior. 4 spd 389. Great memory as a kid riding in the back seat! Thanks Jay and to this young man that owns it! And, a thanks for his service to our county! My uncle was a Marine by the way, he passed in 2010.
My cousin and I are the same age, born in March 1945. Out of high school he worked in construction and could affort a GTO. It was a red, two post, similar to this one; with a four barrel and 4 speed. He sold it to our grandfather when he went in the Navy. When he got out, he bought a Firebird. When I graduated from college in 1968 we ordered a 1969 GTO and got one of the first delivered in Fall of 1968 in Orange Country in California. Always regretted selling the car, but we started a family and there it went.
I can see how the left rear wheel is hopping when the left front is not - the tire or wheel may be out of round but it is probably a worn-out shock at 38:19 of the video. Now that I've caught your eye - this is THE BEST that I've ever seen on Jay Leno - LOVE your super geek enthusiasm, near and dear to my heart! Thanks!! Just noticed at 51:27, the right rear is bouncing too - with no weight in the back, the shocks can't keep up. Bilsteins would probably cure that or some other tuneable shocks. Those LA roads!
I had a 1964 GTO in HS. It was already 9 years old then. No breaks? No kidding. No power steering? Yessireee. Monstrously {ridiculously} stiff clutch? Yep. Fun when all three deuces chimed in? Sure was. After a collection of tickets and big gas bills on the Union 76 card it had to go. Traded it for a 71 Honda CB750. Such a great bike.
Of all the cars ive seen on this show, this one is by far my favorite. Great episode and owner. Joker will be enjoying this car along time. Thanks for your service.
Lt. Col. "Joker" is a REAL mechanic, he knows how things work, or don't work. Interesting to listen to him explain the little tweaks that made the car um, ... GO FAST!
The jazz here for me is all the Bugattis lurking in the background, saying to themselves, "Yeah, I know what it means to be the hottest car on the road. I was there! ... back in my day." Thank you, Jay. You are truly priceless.
These are cool. I wasn't really into GTO's until one of my childhood friends mother bought a brand new 67' GTO. Before then I leaned mostly to Ford and Chevys.
I am 77, graduated high school 1965 an THAT GTO was my dream car for decades. I could have had one that was 'almost' pristine in the early 1980's for a mere $3500 bucks BUT we still had 5 kids at home and as a construction worker that $3500 may as well have been a million. There was no way. Now that I'm an elder, all broken down BUT can afford one the GOAT wasn't my dream anymore,, I have a pristine, 48,000 original miles, 4100-V8 1984 Cadillac ElDorado Biarritz. Very little performance, ALL COMFORT but there will always be that spot in my heart still occupied, unfilled by the dream of owning a '65 GTO.
The best episode I've ever watched on this channel and I watch a lot. Maybe the most personable owner ever. But what almost brought tears of joy to my eyes was Jay exactly describing back in the day when thiis type of car ruled the streets. He and I are the same age and he got it totally correct. Also, he's right these monsters of the past are not especially quick today, but the sound of that engine as it got to its peak power band and quickly went to redline is something I'll never forget.
The OG, the one that started it all. As a 70's teen, one quickly learns the GTO was first, and in about ten years it was over. By '74, it was essentially over ... the "Energy Crisis" ushered in the Mustang Two ... and the 185hp 454 Corvette. But within that ten years, the most extraordinary cars were created ... ie., Hemi 'Cudas, 454 Chevelles, 440 Chargers/Road Runners, L-88 and ZL-1 427 Vettes and Camaros, Boss 429 Mustangs, 428 SCJ Torinos, Buick's 455 GSX, 455 GTO Judge, Olds 442 W-30 455, Firebird 455 SD, AMC Javelin 401, Hemi Superbirds, Dodge Daytona, etc., etc,.... Every stoplight ... action. Every Saturday night, ... it was magical. Good times.
1965 GTOs are the coolest of all musclecars, but Jim Wange's personal '65 with a Royal package? The Holy Grail. Thanks for sharing this rare gem with us!!!
60s cars are the best. It's not about being the fastest or whatever. It's about being a part of the car. Modern vehicles are so numb to drive. It's all digital. 60s cars are analog. You experience everything. You feel everything. I love it
In the 50s pontiac was an old mans car. In the late 50s I was still riding a tricycle and our neighbors up the street and older man and wife couple had a 2 tone gray and white 55' Pontiac. The car fit them perfectly.
I love hearing the dealer names that you 2 are talking about. Here in Chicago our 2 big muscle car dealers were Mr Norm's Grand Spauldng Dodge and Nicky Chevrolet,
After I was diagnosed with heart failure I decided to buy one of my dream cars. My first choice was a '65 GTO or even a Lemans, but they were way too much money. I ended up buying a Ferrari 308 because it was cheaper. I do love the 308, but I would still love to experience one of these some day.
I could on and on about Jim Wangers. He came to Numerous GTO Meetings with our Club. He Rode in our 65 GTO Convertible a number of times, we picked him up at the San Jose Airport once also. He just LOVED OUR 65 TRI -POWER CONVERTIBLE And thought it was one of the BEST Examples he’d ever seen! He was at the Bass Lake when our car took 2Nd place to a 65 TRAILER QUEEN (Fresh Restoration), and leaned over to me and whispered in my ear, Your Car is actually Better Ken. Man was I stoked!! We have Jim’s signature in a few places on our car and when he passed just a little while ago we just couldn’t believe that the God Father Had left us. RIP Jim. Ken n Barb really enjoyed having you Ride in our 65 TRI-POWER GOAT!! BTW Jim, No one believes me when I say that you told me, with the Right Driver Ken, I think your car could get real close to the 12’s in the quarter mile!! I just look em in the eye and say, to Bad, coming from Jim Wangers… I had no reason to Not Believe Him. Thanks for your Service Sir! And what a Lucky Guy you are. I sat in that car at one of our Club Events, and in his 69 Judge also. Beautiful Cars. Thanks Jay. Great video…
The heatriser would would connect to the exhaust manifold, as the manifold got hot the heat would cause a spiral spring in the heatriser to expand.The spring would have a rod connected to the butterfly on the carburetor that would control the position of the butterfly allowing the engine to idle properly when cold.
Like you Jay I loved the '65 and went to the Pontiac dealer weekly and looked at the Red GTO with white buckets. Not aware of this bobcat edition. Great channel
This body style with the stacked headlights is my favorite in a powder blue it is just beautiful.. The 70 judge is second with its rounded body. Dang Jay I like that Chronoswiss. A beautiful piece with the ability to see the inner workings.
Thanks for the memories Jay!! 🥰 In the summer of 2010 I was gifted a ride in one of these by a collector friend. We went to my Great grandparents farm out in upstate NY. That car was Blue. 🫶
When I was a Senior at Palo Alto Senior High School in 1964 my family was middle class and I drove a 1958 VW Bug (with a Judson Supercharger which I installed myself). But, being Palo Alto, there were dozens of students from much more affluent backgrounds. One student had a GTO. There was a foreign student that had an Alfa Romeo coupe, which was pretty exotic at the time.
Hello Jay . I'm really torn between the GOAT or Jordan 's total enthusiasm for the GOAT ! And his total commitment to his service . Or your gift of treating all as equal .......❤❤ Thankyou Mr. Leno
My favorite car that I owned was a 1968 fully loaded GTO equipped with the 428 dealer installed High performance engine. It was scary fast, even faster with a few mods, Cell coil, a recurve kit in the distributor, 4° advanced Cloyes double roller timing chain, a highly modified Q-Jet, yes you can make a Q-jet perform, no leaky metering blocks or power valve.
Miss Pontiac. Born and raised in Flint, MI home of Buick, but GM flows in my blood. My dad had a 1964 Bonneville convertible with 389/Tri-power. Always said it was his best car. Lost him at the age of 16 and now at 55, starting down the road to get a ‘64 Bonneville convt project to cruise with him in spirit.
What a wonderful episode. Jordan is obviously an excellent *steward* of this special car - *thank you for your service, sir!* - and Jay is awesome for bringing him, the car and their story to us to share. *This is what the hobby should be about, folks.* - Ed on the Ridge
Great car and show ... and recreation of the American tick tock by comparing watches! Of course back in the day it would have been a Timex: takes a licking and keeps on ticking. Even get the self winding for just $14.95
Gotcha, thanks for the response. Tires are definitely meant to roll. I've noticed that square wheel feeling after storing cars of my own. Thanks for sharing... love the car and your enthusiasm for it.
Love muscle cars from that era. I had a 1966 Olds 442 with a four speed. I now have a 2007 Corvette. I think my 442 would beat my Vette. That 442 was the hardest pulling car I ever had.
The nice thing about being around when these muscle cars where new is that we drove the living crap out of them! They were not pampered collectibles then. Gtos are great cars. Love the video!
My first car was a black 65 GTO, real clean body green shag carpet and no seats, I paid $150. And it didn't run. I got it running and beat the hell out of it. I probably put a dozen motors and 4spds and 10 bolt rearends in it but I learned a lot and had a great time
I really enjoyed that. The 65 GTO was my dads favorite. His was not a Royal Bobcat but it did have the 389 with the 6 pack. My 5'2" mom learned to drive a manual in that car. Lots of good memories. Thank you.
I owned a '65 GTO many years ago. Red with a red interior, a fairly rare combination. Most folks bought a black or white interior in the red cars. I really loved that car, I wish I still had it.
What a great episode. It is really nice to see a Royal Bobcat. I had only read about them. Joker really knows his stuff about Pontiac Royal Pontiac history.
The infamous C&D road test of a '64 GTO compared to a Ferrari GTO was actually a Royal Pontiac ringer with a 421 SD engine with the tri-power setup. It was part of Jim Wangers PR plan to get everyone talking about this new option that set the stage for the muscle car era. IMO, the '65 and the '70 Judge cars are two of the best looking.
This was a great video and brought back memories of meeting JIm Wangers when he was running a couple of comparison tests on different cars vs the Corvette (he stacked the tests so the vette would win). This was the mid 1980's and he was still engaging in late night street racing around Detroit. He told me he could probably 'improve' my Plymouth Turmiso. LOL
I bought a 65 mustang fastback sight unseen on ebay from arizona, I took a risk and it paid off, the car was immaculate for only $10k purchased back in 2007 and finally finished restoration in 2024.
Apparently Fontaine Blue was a long running color - that was the color on my 57 Pontiac Star Chief. The 65 I always felt was the best looking GTO of all.
Still remember the ride home 60 years ago as a 10 year old kid when my sister picked up her brand new navy blue GTO, with white interior and a 3 speed Hurst shifter with a white knob, from the dealership in Lititz Pa.
Thank you to the Jay Leno's Garage team for making a dream come true! 😊
Thank you for showing us your beautiful car. Hope you have many happy years with it mate. Cheers.
Thank *you* for your service to our country, sir - and for sharing your gorgeous car!
Thanks for your service! Beautiful car!
You guys made a great team! Thanks for keeping the flame alive.
🫡@@moparedtn
Joker is one of the best guests I’ve seen in a while! Guy is so grateful to be there and most importantly the car! Foster kid who had a great foster dad that made something of himself the American dream!! Great episode!!
Thank you 🙂
@JordanJokerSmith Thank you for your service!
Totally agree!
This is the first time I've ever seen a GTO Royal Bobcat and didn't even know there was such a car. Thanks for featuring this car.
I'm from metro Detroit and had never heard of it.
Me neither
Jordan is such an amazing young man. I can say young since I'm 75. He has a great personality and is very articulate. He is also very polite in redirecting the conversation from Jay's somewhat long moments back to his car. What a journey he has taken from a home for wayward youth to a Lt. colonel in the air force. That journey would be an interesting story in itself.
They say mentors play a major role in life's journey and the car guy who took Jordan under his wing not only gave him a love for the GTO but a direction in life. Awesome car and life story!
Came here to make same comment. So, I'll just say ditto.
Nice to have someone who just loves his car on the show rather than a salesperson or some rich guy
All car people love what they have, what they created, what they preserved...
AND it's an honest car, not a restomod (vile term).
Those rear shocks need some love!
Yeah saw that too! Also the car seemed to be floating alot so likely that all the shocks need some love.
Needs a muffler too 😅
They are FUBAR!
Two years ago, bought a 1962 Studebaker with 25K original miles. It still had the original shocks - went down the road like a water bed. New shocks all around and it drives like a new car.
Thanx, Rocky *& Team Jay! ….. GRADUATION 1965 , High School, I remember ROYAL BOBCAT, & etc.. …
To my eyes, the 1965 is the most beautiful GTO.
'66 is the GOAT by far. They're all nice, though.🙂
Jordan 'Joker' Smith thank you for your service and thank you for an awesome video with Jay and this great car.
I mean the cars are a thing, but Jay Leno himself is another,
legend of a big kid at heart, respect.
Hearing "Joker" and Jay talking about street racing brought back some very fond memories of light to light racing on 82nd street, 122nd street and especially downtown 6th and Broadway in Portland, Oregon 1965 thru 1968 or so. Every Friday and Saturday night those of us who did not have a performance car could park, get out and sit on the fenders of our cars, visit with friends and LISTEN to the sounds of squeeling tires, carburetors and exhaust as those who did have the cars were drag'n from light to light. FUN were those days.
Oh jeez. That grin, that noise. This might be my fave JLG episode in a YEAR. I feel privileged just to watch it. Solid gold.
Looking like he loves his little GTO. Thats why i never sold mine. My 64 is in the restoration shop right now. Can't wait to get her back.
It's nice to have average folks on the channel with their dream cars
People who earn it seem more enthusiastic than rich people who buy it
This show brightens up my drizzly British evening every Monday
Jay, you have GOT to have this young man back on the show. Doesn't even matter what car. Maybe something utterly odd like a steam car or a Bentley. He's just so genuine, and there's true chemistry between you and him.
The coolest car on the show in a long time...and THAT is saying something!
Thank you 🙂
One of the best episodes recently. Joker is a great guest and works so well with Jay to keep the story moving forward. He also puts a real face on Predator pilots; they are not just some kid playing video games with a PC airplane simulator; a career Lt. Colonel.
My first car was a 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP SUPERCHARGED. I loved Pontiac ever since and have always loved the style of 60s/70s cars. I put a cold air intake and a straight pipe on my GTP and OOOOOOOO BOY....I was setting up car alarms left and right 😂😂😂 The whine of that supercharger with the backfire from the straight pipes was pure bliss. Loved that car so much.
@JordanJokerSmith I don't normally comment on these but Joker - thank you for your service. What a wonderful GTO. Thanks you and Jay for sharing it with us.
I still miss Pontiac.
I miss the old gm
I still have my fourth gen Firebirds. I drive one everyday.
Jay's knowledge about the history of automotive industry will always amaze me.
Funny, when the guest has more to share then Jay, "what kind of watch you got there, mine's a..."😂
Back in the day we never noticed that they didn't stop well. They stopped better than cars from the 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. It was just the technology we had so it was all a no issue.
I think the design contributed to its popularity as much as the performance. The LeMans and GTO have a straight, fast, clean look. The headlights and front grill are just cool to look at.
Wow ! Joker thanks for your service and enthusiasm what a fantastic GTO !!
As a life-long GTO LOVER. My Father, GMC Truck Division Exec, always drove Ponitac's. I was 19 when 65 came out. I graduated college in Summer 68. Wanted a GTO, but hated the new body style (Jay, I agree with you). Off to the Corps for Officer Basic School. Ended up with my Wife's choice, Mercury Cyclone, what a frigging Lemon.
I remember my uncle's 66 GTO when I was a kid in 69-70. Man, I loved that car! Dark blue w/black interior. 4 spd 389. Great memory as a kid riding in the back seat! Thanks Jay and to this young man that owns it! And, a thanks for his service to our county! My uncle was a Marine by the way, he passed in 2010.
My cousin and I are the same age, born in March 1945. Out of high school he worked in construction and could affort a GTO. It was a red, two post, similar to this one; with a four barrel and 4 speed. He sold it to our grandfather when he went in the Navy. When he got out, he bought a Firebird. When I graduated from college in 1968 we ordered a 1969 GTO and got one of the first delivered in Fall of 1968 in Orange Country in California. Always regretted selling the car, but we started a family and there it went.
69 GTO more important than a family.
I can see how the left rear wheel is hopping when the left front is not - the tire or wheel may be out of round but it is probably a worn-out shock at 38:19 of the video. Now that I've caught your eye - this is THE BEST that I've ever seen on Jay Leno - LOVE your super geek enthusiasm, near and dear to my heart! Thanks!! Just noticed at 51:27, the right rear is bouncing too - with no weight in the back, the shocks can't keep up. Bilsteins would probably cure that or some other tuneable shocks. Those LA roads!
The guy who really set Pontiac on a performance trajectory was Bunkie Knudson.
Great Presentation thank you to Jay Leno and the Joker.....got to love the GTO Royal Bobcat ..... viewer from British Columbia.....
I had a 1964 GTO in HS. It was already 9 years old then. No breaks? No kidding. No power steering? Yessireee. Monstrously {ridiculously} stiff clutch? Yep. Fun when all three deuces chimed in? Sure was. After a collection of tickets and big gas bills on the Union 76 card it had to go. Traded it for a 71 Honda CB750. Such a great bike.
That’s an awesome story and Joker has a great comeback story.
Jay please, these cars came from the factory with Tri-Power I know I lived it !
Of all the cars ive seen on this show, this one is by far my favorite. Great episode and owner. Joker will be enjoying this car along time. Thanks for your service.
Back in the day, the GTO was THEE car, the ultimate, the most desired and lusted for.
Lt. Col. "Joker" is a REAL mechanic, he knows how things work, or don't work. Interesting to listen to him explain the little tweaks that made the car um, ... GO FAST!
The jazz here for me is all the Bugattis lurking in the background, saying to themselves, "Yeah, I know what it means to be the hottest car on the road. I was there! ... back in my day." Thank you, Jay. You are truly priceless.
I really enjoyed this episode, particularly the owner. Thanks for your service Joker.
These are cool. I wasn't really into GTO's until one of my childhood friends mother bought a brand new 67' GTO. Before then I leaned mostly to Ford and Chevys.
Beautiful GTO. Congratulations on procuring that! Having it on Jay’s show is great!
Kudos to Mr. Jay Leno. A great car enthusiast!
I am 77, graduated high school 1965 an THAT GTO was my dream car for decades. I could have had one that was 'almost' pristine in the early 1980's for a mere $3500 bucks BUT we still had 5 kids at home and as a construction worker that $3500 may as well have been a million. There was no way. Now that I'm an elder, all broken down BUT can afford one the GOAT wasn't my dream anymore,, I have a pristine, 48,000 original miles, 4100-V8 1984 Cadillac ElDorado Biarritz. Very little performance, ALL COMFORT but there will always be that spot in my heart still occupied, unfilled by the dream of owning a '65 GTO.
This is stuff that we actually want to see and are interested about, Thanks Mr. Leno❤.
The best episode I've ever watched on this channel and I watch a lot. Maybe the most personable owner ever. But what almost brought tears of joy to my eyes was Jay exactly describing back in the day when thiis type of car ruled the streets. He and I are the same age and he got it totally correct. Also, he's right these monsters of the past are not especially quick today, but the sound of that engine as it got to its peak power band and quickly went to redline is something I'll never forget.
Thank you for the kind words 🙂.
I'm glad you enjoyed the episode. 📽️
The OG, the one that started it all.
As a 70's teen, one quickly learns the GTO was first, and in about ten years it was over. By '74, it was essentially over ... the "Energy Crisis" ushered in the Mustang Two ... and the 185hp 454 Corvette.
But within that ten years, the most extraordinary cars were created
... ie., Hemi 'Cudas, 454 Chevelles, 440 Chargers/Road Runners, L-88 and ZL-1 427 Vettes and Camaros, Boss 429 Mustangs, 428 SCJ Torinos, Buick's 455 GSX, 455 GTO Judge, Olds 442 W-30 455, Firebird 455 SD, AMC Javelin 401, Hemi Superbirds, Dodge Daytona, etc., etc,....
Every stoplight ... action. Every Saturday night, ... it was magical. Good times.
Thanks For Sharing Joker, Jay. Memories
*Rear shocks left the chat*
The right side was OK but the drivers side rear was bouncy as heck and also appeared to be out of balance in the last few moments of the show.
1965 GTOs are the coolest of all musclecars, but Jim Wange's personal '65 with a Royal package? The Holy Grail. Thanks for sharing this rare gem with us!!!
60s cars are the best. It's not about being the fastest or whatever. It's about being a part of the car. Modern vehicles are so numb to drive. It's all digital. 60s cars are analog. You experience everything. You feel everything. I love it
In the 50s pontiac was an old mans car. In the late 50s I was still riding a tricycle and our neighbors up the street and older man and wife couple had a 2 tone gray and white 55' Pontiac. The car fit them perfectly.
I love hearing the dealer names that you 2 are talking about. Here in Chicago our 2 big muscle car dealers were Mr Norm's Grand Spauldng Dodge and Nicky Chevrolet,
1965 Pontiac gto bobcat is a gorgeous car
After I was diagnosed with heart failure I decided to buy one of my dream cars. My first choice was a '65 GTO or even a Lemans, but they were way too much money. I ended up buying a Ferrari 308 because it was cheaper. I do love the 308, but I would still love to experience one of these some day.
I could on and on about Jim Wangers. He came to Numerous GTO Meetings with our Club. He Rode in our 65 GTO Convertible a number of times, we picked him up at the San Jose Airport once also. He just LOVED OUR 65 TRI -POWER CONVERTIBLE And thought it was one of the BEST Examples he’d ever seen! He was at the Bass Lake when our car took 2Nd place to a 65 TRAILER QUEEN (Fresh Restoration), and leaned over to me and whispered in my ear, Your Car is actually Better Ken. Man was I stoked!! We have Jim’s signature in a few places on our car and when he passed just a little while ago we just couldn’t believe that the God Father Had left us. RIP Jim. Ken n Barb really enjoyed having you Ride in our 65 TRI-POWER GOAT!! BTW Jim, No one believes me when I say that you told me, with the Right Driver Ken, I think your car could get real close to the 12’s in the quarter mile!! I just look em in the eye and say, to Bad, coming from Jim Wangers… I had no reason to Not Believe Him. Thanks for your Service Sir! And what a Lucky Guy you are. I sat in that car at one of our Club Events, and in his 69 Judge also. Beautiful Cars. Thanks Jay. Great video…
Thank you for the kind words 🙂
The heatriser would would connect to the exhaust manifold, as the manifold got hot the heat would cause a spiral spring in the heatriser to expand.The spring would have a rod connected to the butterfly on the carburetor that would control the position of the butterfly allowing the engine to idle properly when cold.
Like you Jay I loved the '65 and went to the Pontiac dealer weekly and looked at the Red GTO with white buckets. Not aware of this bobcat edition. Great channel
This body style with the stacked headlights is my favorite in a powder blue it is just beautiful.. The 70 judge is second with its rounded body.
Dang Jay I like that Chronoswiss. A beautiful piece with the ability to see the inner workings.
Thanks for the memories Jay!! 🥰
In the summer of 2010 I was gifted a ride in one of these by a collector friend. We went to my Great grandparents farm out in upstate NY. That car was Blue. 🫶
Great Episode, Great Automobile, Great Guys! So proud to know these automobile men... and Joker, thank you for your service.
Thank you Joan for the kind words.
I'm glad to call you a friend 🙂
When I was a Senior at Palo Alto Senior High School in 1964 my family was middle class and I drove a 1958 VW Bug (with a Judson Supercharger which I installed myself). But, being Palo Alto, there were dozens of students from much more affluent backgrounds. One student had a GTO. There was a foreign student that had an Alfa Romeo coupe, which was pretty exotic at the time.
Can't wait to see this show... Great GTO MEMORIES !!!
Hello Jay . I'm really torn between the GOAT or Jordan 's total enthusiasm for the GOAT ! And his total commitment to his service . Or your gift of treating all as equal .......❤❤ Thankyou Mr. Leno
One of the best episodes EVER. He could be Jay's kid! 😂😊
😂
The 65 LeMans was always my favorite of that time, I used to get carpooled in one. Straight side and beautiful from the rear.
My favorite car that I owned was a 1968 fully loaded GTO equipped with the 428 dealer installed High performance engine. It was scary fast, even faster with a few mods, Cell coil, a recurve kit in the distributor, 4° advanced Cloyes double roller timing chain, a highly modified Q-Jet, yes you can make a Q-jet perform, no leaky metering blocks or power valve.
I love this show. Jay and his team really knocked it out of the park with this whole series.
"Did you hear that, Jay?, the sound of freedom". LOL Something Governor Gavin doesn't understand.
😎🇺🇸
Oh, Newsom gets it. Far more than the Felon-in-chief ever will.
@@Fig-220 the only thing newsom cares about is how good he looks on tv
The headlights on a Pontiac always did it for me
Not for me. I don't like stacked headlights. I prefer the original 1964 version and ones after 1967.
Growing up I owned 3 1960s era vehicles as daily drivers. Stopping them was never an issue or concern for me.
Love the sound of that big Pontiac - sounds just like my 455 Firebird!
65 is the nicest style. Absolutely love this car
What an amazing car. Royalty indeed.
Miss Pontiac. Born and raised in Flint, MI home of Buick, but GM flows in my blood. My dad had a 1964 Bonneville convertible with 389/Tri-power. Always said it was his best car. Lost him at the age of 16 and now at 55, starting down the road to get a ‘64 Bonneville convt project to cruise with him in spirit.
Its my dream car now!
It was a pleasure to meet you Jordan, good luck on all your future projects and thank you, sir, for your service.
I remember this super car! One of the greatest!
Woah...those rear shocks....
Yes! I noticed that right away.... I'm sure the crew pointed it out to Jay & Jordan (assuming they couldn't feel it). EZ fix!
Oh we felt it! 😅
The problem was flat spots on the tires from sitting a year while I was deployed to Japan 😮
@ Well, thank you for your prompt response; it was an enjoyable show - beautiful car. Congrats!
@@JordanJokerSmith that makes more sense since the rear was rocking side to side when Jay was leaving his garage.
@@JordanJokerSmith say Hi too Doc for us! what a great car
What a wonderful episode. Jordan is obviously an excellent *steward* of this special car -
*thank you for your service, sir!* - and Jay is awesome for bringing him, the car and their
story to us to share.
*This is what the hobby should be about, folks.*
- Ed on the Ridge
As a Boomer, to me this car is gorgeous! Well done, Joker!
Thank you 🙂
@@JordanJokerSmith BTW Joker, my nephew just finished his two year tour as a Thunderbird pilot. Go AF!
@@jonh901271😮
Great car and show ... and recreation of the American tick tock by comparing watches! Of course back in the day it would have been a Timex: takes a licking and keeps on ticking. Even get the self winding for just $14.95
Gotcha, thanks for the response.
Tires are definitely meant to roll.
I've noticed that square wheel feeling after storing cars of my own.
Thanks for sharing... love the car and your enthusiasm for it.
Love muscle cars from that era. I had a 1966 Olds 442 with a four speed. I now have a 2007 Corvette. I think my 442 would beat my Vette. That 442 was the hardest pulling car I ever had.
Lets thank John DeLorean and Bill Mitchell for such a powerful and beautiful machine❤❤❤❤....
Jim Wangers was a jewel. Toupee and all. I loved when he was featured in a lot of car shows on tv in the 1990s.
Worst hairpiece in history !
Great video! True Americana. Thanks for your service Jordan. You have a beautiful GTO.
Thank you!
🇺🇸🫡
The nice thing about being around when these muscle cars where new is that we drove the living crap out of them! They were not pampered collectibles then. Gtos are great cars. Love the video!
Jay this is a beautiful car. DeLorean out did himself when he created the Royal Bobcat In 1965 GTO. Thanks for sharing! 💯👍
My first car was a black 65 GTO, real clean body green shag carpet and no seats, I paid $150. And it didn't run. I got it running and beat the hell out of it. I probably put a dozen motors and 4spds and 10 bolt rearends in it but I learned a lot and had a great time
Sorry but I have to check out the validity of your story ! Show me grease under your fingernails !!!
Nobody mentioned the “Curved Side Glass “ that was a big thing for its time !
The best muscle car ever made!
That's a great looking car and a wonderful story sounds real good too thanks Jay for another great video and Joker Smith thank you for your service😊😊
I really enjoyed that. The 65 GTO was my dads favorite. His was not a Royal Bobcat but it did have the 389 with the 6 pack. My 5'2" mom learned to drive a manual in that car. Lots of good memories. Thank you.
That’s Called TRI-POWER On a Pontiac… Just an FYI. CHRYSLER STUFF WAS THE “SIX - PAK.
I owned a '65 GTO many years ago. Red with a red interior, a fairly rare combination. Most folks bought a black or white interior in the red cars. I really loved that car, I wish I still had it.
What a great episode. It is really nice to see a Royal Bobcat. I had only read about them. Joker really knows his stuff about Pontiac Royal Pontiac history.
I studied 🤓
Joker looks like Owen Wilson rocking a ‘stache! What a cool guy! Thanks for your service Joker.
Nice to see Jay so enthusiastic about this car. Nice down to earth guest too, great video.
Great video! Joker is awesome!
The infamous C&D road test of a '64 GTO compared to a Ferrari GTO was actually a Royal Pontiac ringer with a 421 SD engine with the tri-power setup. It was part of Jim Wangers PR plan to get everyone talking about this new option that set the stage for the muscle car era. IMO, the '65 and the '70 Judge cars are two of the best looking.
The 1964 GTO from the Car and Driver magazine still exists!
It was a 421 but not a super duty.
This was a great video and brought back memories of meeting JIm Wangers when he was running a couple of comparison tests on different cars vs the Corvette (he stacked the tests so the vette would win). This was the mid 1980's and he was still engaging in late night street racing around Detroit. He told me he could probably 'improve' my Plymouth Turmiso. LOL
😮
I bought a 65 mustang fastback sight unseen on ebay from arizona, I took a risk and it paid off, the car was immaculate for only $10k purchased back in 2007 and finally finished restoration in 2024.
As always another awesome piece of history, being kept so that future generations may get to see it.
Apparently Fontaine Blue was a long running color - that was the color on my 57 Pontiac Star Chief. The 65 I always felt was the best looking GTO of all.
Still remember the ride home 60 years ago as a 10 year old kid when my sister picked up her brand new navy blue GTO, with white interior and a 3 speed Hurst shifter with a white knob, from the dealership in Lititz Pa.