How can I tell a GTO from a Le Mans

[socalfandabodys]

I ran across a 64 GTO convertible for sale for a very reasonable price. I'm not really a GTO guy so I don't know how to tell if it is a GTO or if it is a cloned Le Mans. This is the vin number 824F27513. The guy says it's a real numbers matching GTO. Thanks for the help

[dipren443]

I ran across a 64 GTO convertible for sale for a very reasonable price. I'm not really a GTO guy so I don't know how to tell if it is a GTO or if it is a cloned Le Mans. This is the vin number 824F27513. The guy says it's a real numbers matching GTO. Thanks for the help

If I were in your shoes, I would pay PHS to get the full packet on the car. Worth the $50 in my opinion.

http://www.phs-online.com/order.htm

[ragtop70gto]

There isn't any way to tell the difference from the VIN on 64-65 or 72-74 models. You can purchase a package from www.phs-online.com (http://www.phs-online.com) that will provide you with the following:

A copy of the factory invoice or billing history
A letter decoding the options (when necessary)
A copy of a dealer order form for that year
Other specific information for that year and model Pontiac, if available
The $50 is worth your peace of mind. Good Luck!

[terryr]

Musclecar did a series of shows on modding a Lemans and pointed out the differences. I remember taillights, stamped grill in fender.

[Bill Howell]

http://books.google.com/books?id=4Yu2yAliH8UC&pg=PA124&lpg=PA124&dq=identify+real+64+gto&source=bl&ots=Qc7_NboLWu&sig=GgCjhMGIZuR5whLddBNbS4DTm1M&hl=en&ei=lcPkSpKQD8ug8Abvi6CIBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CA4Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=identify%20real%2064%20gto&f=false

read last line about 64s. Cowl tag should have "5N" in accessory line. Not guaranteed to be a GTO but has to have that to be one.

[Bill Howell]

More info found here
http://www.gtoforum.com/f12/unigue-64-thru-74-gto-facts-351/


QUOTE
(1964-65) One way to identify a GTO in these two years is by an accessory code on the data plate or also known as the body tag. 5N code was used to show that the body had went through the conversion needed to convert the Le Mans to GTO. Only two plants used this code though. Pontiac (P, PO, PON) and Kansas City, MO. (K, KC, M, KAN).

[CONELRAD]

One way is to remove the rear seat and the upholstery on the inside of the rear quarter panels. Look and see if the holes in the quarter panels have been filled where the LeMans "louvers" trim was removed to make it look like a GTO. If it's a really good clone they might have finished the filled louver holes on the inside of the quarter panel - but if it was a quicky clone - you might see the indentations for the "louvers" or the residue of bondo or filler that oozed through when the louvers were filled. On a convertible you might be able to look down past the top mechanism with a flashlight and inspect the inner rear quarter panel without removing the upholstery. Maybe.
Or send the ViN to PHS. But that takes time and assumes that the VIN is not faked.

[tripower]

Another vote for PHS documentation...I got it before I bought my 65 and it checked out. Good luck.