Photos: Steve's Auto Restorations

We can’t imagine that you’d ever get tired of building beautiful 30’s era hot rods, along with custom roadsters that would qualify for a Riddler Award in a heartbeat, but if you did, we also imagine that taking a break probably means building up a sleek and sassy 1964 GTO like this one.

Steve’s Auto Restorations, in Portland, Oregon, takes a large view of any project and makes sure the customer understands that restoration means more than just a paint job and a big motor. When it comes to customization, there’s no corner of the vehicle that isn’t subject to close scrutiny.

The 1964 GTO that you see in these photos was straight and had already gone through a restoration. To get it to the level you see here took another 3,500 man hours of work. On the outside, the front bumper was significantly quirked – widened and integrated with a chin spoiler to give a more planted stance visually. The rear bumper started its life as that from a 1965 Skylark, but coupled with a new valance and extended quarter panels, it gives a whole new look to the muscle car.

As it happens, there’s a whole lot of muscle under that custom fabricated hood. Just over five hundred cubes of GM Ramjet crate engine hooks up to a Tremec T-56, 6-speed manual transmission. From there, its on to a Currie 9-inch rear, fully built using 31-spline axles, 4.11 gears and a Traction-Lok differential.

Under the category of neat stuff you can’t see, this Goat has boxed frame rails and widened wheel wells. Global West suspension parts hook up with Bilstein dampers for the control that is needed when the loud pedal is buried. The rolling stock consists of American Racing’s Salt Flat Specials, fitted to 17-inch by 7-inch in front and 17-in by 9.5-inches out back. Falken 225/50ZR17 tires take the point, while their 275/50ZR17 versions follow up.

No matter what angle you look at this goat from, there isn’t a flaw to be found. The Florida customer was certain to be pleased with the car and the work that went into it. Whenever he needs to take a break, surely this cruiser is the first he heads for.