BOB RYDER February 07, 2023 All Feature Vehicles
Lakewood, colorado, native steve disch had long dreamed of the car that you’re about to see on the following pages. Everyone knows that you can’t tell a book by its cover, and this incredible two-year garage build, which cross-pollinated a 1964 pontiac lemans body with a 2006 pontiac gto chassis is a perfect example of that sentiment.
The wrecked 2006 GTO body was removed, exposing the bare chassis that would form the foundation of the transformation. After extracting the 1964 LeMans body from its frame it was cut and fit to the GTO chassis.
The problem was that the GTO wheelbase is 4 ¼ inches shorter than the LeMans’. After lying awake in bed one night, Steve came up with the solution. He cut out the front wheel openings and took out 4 ¾ inches toward the rear, then flipped from side to side by putting the driver’s side on the passenger side and vise versa. The rear half of the LeMans body was mounted on the GTO pan like a uni-body car. Next, it was completely welded together with a new custom trunk pan and inner rear quarter wheel wells. A pair of 1964 LeMans sill plates and rocker panels were welded onto the GTO pan. The LeMans windshield frame supports for the door hinges were welded to the cowl/firewall of the GTO. Once they were welded together, the inner doorjambs around the hinges were molded into the factory shape.
“Steve had no idea that his two-year garage build would have such an impact in the custom car world. The gto has received more than 100 awards, including 17 best of shows, along with numerous goodguys event wins.”
A tube frame structure for the front end was constructed using 1-inch square tubing that was triangulated throughout and was mounted securely to the GTO radiator core support. Custom hood hinges were fabricated from originals assisted by a pair of salvage Ultimate GTOTransformer yard trunk struts. Tapered panels hide the space between the sloping 2006 hood angle and flat 1964 LeMans hood and fenders, as well as the spacing between the two radiator core supports.
All of the LeMans fenders were tapered in a perfect line from the lower bumper edges to the lower level of the new rockers. The door handles and locks were shaved from the 1964 doors along with the LeMans hood, and the trunk emblems were replaced with GTO versions. A round gas filler door was fused into the passenger side rear quarter panel.
After delivering the GTO to Bodyworks by Steve Aigner in Arvada, Colorado, he meticulously worked the metal, body lines, doors, hood and trunk gaps to perfection. After applying primer and block sanding every surface straight and smooth, the crew at the shop applied sealer and added four coats of 2008 Porsche Orange. A set of House of Kolor Tangelo wispy ghost flames was laid out from the rear of the front wheel openings through the doors, and then buried in six coats of clear. Once the car had a few days to dry and cure, the entire surface was cut, buffed and polished to a glistening shine.
The GTO seats were retained, but custom door panels, a convertible top and a boot were done by Chris Monaco at C&C Custom Upholstery in Lakewood.
Steve had no idea that his two-year garage build would have such an impact in the custom car world. The GTO has received more than 100 awards, including 17 Best of Shows, along with numerous Goodguys event wins. This GTO is not a trailer queen, though, Steve drives it, and in 4 ½ years he’s put more than 54,000 miles on it, including 11,000 miles during the Hot Rod Power Tours.
What you see is what you get.
1964 Pontiac LeMans convertible / 2006 Pontiac GTO
OWNER: Steve Disch
BUILDER: Steve Disch (built in his garage)
BODY AND PAINT: Bodywork by Steve, Arvada, Colorado, painted by Steve Aigner
UPHOLSTERY: C&C Custom Upholstery, Chris Monaco, Lakewood, CO
CHASSIS:2006 Pontiac GTO
FRONT SUSPENSION: 2006 GTO strut IFS with coil-over and stabilizer bar FRONT BRAKES: 2006 GTO power disc ABS
STEERING: 2006 GTO
REAR SUSPENSION: 2006 GTO IRS trailing arm IRS with coil-over shocks and stabilizer bar
REAREND: Third member gear set: 3.46 with limited slip
REAR BRAKES: 2006 GTO power disc ABS
FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION: Electronic traction control
WHEELS: Raceline Jaded-5 18 x 8-inch front and 18 x 9-inch rear
TIRES: BF Goodrich G-Force KDW 245/35ZR-18 front and 275/35ZR-18 rear
ENGINE: 2006 Pontiac GTO 6.0L OHV 16-valve LS2 V-8 400 hp at 5,200 rpm 400 ft-lbs of torque at 4,000 rpm
FUEL INJECTION: Multi-port
HEADERS: JBA shorty
MUFFLERS: SpinTech
TRANSMISSION: GM Hydramatic 4L65-E four-speed automatic
BODY: 1964 Pontiac LeMans convertible, shaved door handles
PAINT: 2008 Porsche Orange, ghost flames in House of Kolor Tangelo
HEADLIGHTS: Projector beam lenses with halogen bulb headlights
INTERIOR: C&C Custom Interiors Lakewood, CO, Chris Monaco, carpet, seats, door panels, trunk and convertible top
AUDIO: Blaupunkt head unit with autochanger six-disc remote, 10 speakers
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