1965 Pontiac GTO

The 1965 Pontiac Tempest LeMans, widely recognized as the platform that helped launch the muscle car movement through the legendary Pontiac GTO, serves as the foundation for this remarkable custom build. This example has undergone an extensive frame-up transformation reportedly totaling over $150,000 by Bill and Mike Kornowski, resulting in a dramatically reimagined interpretation of Pontiac’s iconic mid-1960s performance coupe.

Finished in an eye-catching two-tone black and deep custom purple, the bodywork reflects a tremendous amount of fabrication and detail work. The roof has been professionally chopped, giving the car a lower, more aggressive stance, while the exterior has been smoothed with shaved door handles, deleted drip rails, and molded bumpers and cowl panels for a seamless appearance. Painted orange pinstriping separates the two-tone finish, while a distinctive checkered flag graphic motif runs along the sides of the car, emphasizing the vehicle’s custom show-car personality. A custom stainless-steel grille completes the front-end transformation.

Beneath the sculpted exterior sits a heavily upgraded chassis designed to complement the car’s muscular presence. The suspension has been enhanced with Global West tubular front upper and lower control arms, aftermarket sway bars, Edelbrock boxed rear control arms, replacement springs and shocks, creating a balanced blend of stance and drivability.
Four-wheel disc brakes provide modern stopping capability, while Boyd Coddington Junkyard Dog wheels—17 inches in the front and 18 inches in the rear—are wrapped in Goodyear Eagle F1 performance tires, giving the car a purposeful and contemporary footprint.

Power comes from a formidable 427 cubic inch Chevrolet big-block V8, delivering classic American muscle with substantial performance potential. The engine is equipped with a polished intake manifold, dual-feed Holley carburetor, HEI ignition system, billet serpentine pulley drive, and finned aluminum valve covers and air cleaner. Cooling is handled by an aluminum radiator with dual electric fans, while spent gases exit through a 2.5-inch dual exhaust system with crossover pipe and Flowmaster mufflers, producing the unmistakable tone expected from a big-block muscle machine. The fuel system was reportedly upgraded during the build with a replacement tank, new lines, and an electric fuel pump.

Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic transmission by GM: The Turbo Hydra-matic 400 (Heavy Duty/High Torque), paired with a B&M floor shifter mounted within the custom interior.

Inside, the cabin continues the custom theme with hand-fabricated and molded interior panels finished to match the exterior color scheme. The seats feature custom black upholstery, and much of the interior structure—including the dash and side panels—has been smoothed and painted during the build process. A Painless Wiring harness was installed for modern electrical reliability, and a 1973 Trans Am steering column supports a four-spoke Grant steering wheel. Instrumentation is provided by a Nordskog digital gauge cluster, displaying speed, RPM, voltage, oil pressure, water temperature, and fuel level.

The trunk area has been fully finished with boxed panels and carpeting, with the battery relocated beneath a custom cover and additional storage integrated into the design. The underside of the trunk lid has also been modified, further reflecting the level of detail invested throughout the build.

Approximately 5,600 miles are reported to have been driven since the completion of the build.

The result is a distinctive and extensively customized 1965 Pontiac that merges classic muscle car DNA with show-quality fabrication and modernized performance components. From its chopped roofline and seamless bodywork to the big-block power under the hood, this GTO-inspired custom stands as a striking exampl