We’ve all seen people who build a clone of a popular model, that’s nothing new. But what about those how go the opposite direction and take a popular model and make it look like a standard model? We don’t get it either.

We found this PHS documented 1964 GTO on Pro-Touring.com and owner Don Hutton says that he couldn’t pass on it when he saw it for sale a couple years ago. It started life as a true GTO, but someone had replaced the front clip and removed many of the GTO parts, degrading it down to a Tempest.

He found rust in the typical areas, but felt that it was an otherwise sold car with potential. However, once he got started into the project he found even more issues that needed to be addressed. Finding a donor car was a difficult task, but he proceeded on with the GTO. He had to install 22 patches on the car, plus replace the B pillars.

He upgraded the suspension with SPC control arms, a DSE steering box and AFX spindles up front. He added Hotchkis shocks and Hellwig sway bars to keep the ride firm and the handling nimble. Braking is handled by four-wheel disc brakes with a Wilwood master cylinder.

Powering the car is a modern LS1 with AFR heads and T56 6-speed trans. A 12 bolt TruTrac posi with 3.72 gears finishes out the drivetrain. The 19 inch HRE wheels are 8.5 inches up front and 10 inches out back and look pretty good on this classic car.

If you’re amazed with how the paint turned out, so were we – especially since this was only Don’s second time painting a car. It’s a beautiful finish and an awesome build that he says is a lot of fun to drive.