462 ci ’67 GTO
September 2026 • by Tony Thacker
Presented by FirstUpApparel.com & MicksPaint.com
For many the term GTO first entered our vocabulary in September ’63 when Pontiac introduced us to the Tempest-based 389 Tri-Powered Le Mans. PMD was already using the infamous French 24-hour race, why not subjugate the term GTO? In fact, Ferrari was the first to use the GTO moniker on their 1962 250 GTO Gran Turismo Omologato or, Grand Touring Homologated in English. And there was no licensing royalty to pay because geographic names are generally used without licensing as is the term GTO. Before the bosses even knew, Pontiac had sold 5,000 GT0s
Inspired by input from Steve Strope of Pure Vision Design, designer Eric Brockmeyer penned the sketches from which Mick Walker’s ‘67 GTO was built.
Fast forward 60 years and Nick Walker of Corona, CA approached Steve Strope of Pure Vision Design, Simi Valley, CA to build him a modern classic. Pontiac had already made some changes for the ’67 model including boring the 389 to a healthy 400 cubes and replacing the Tri-Power with a single Rochester Quadrajet 4-bbl.
Steve, however, had something even more outrageous in mind and went to Penta Motorsports, Newbury Park, CA. Penta specialize in big-bore Ponchos, and Steve wanted a 462 cubic inch engine. Yes, four sixty-two. Penta bored and stroked a 400 incher and added Edelbrock heads, intake, fuel rails, valve covers, and their high-flow water pump along with Holley distributor, coil, and Terminator X Efi.
While the engine was being assembled the rolling shell went out to Mick’s Paint in Pomona, CA where Mick Jenkins’ team stripped it to bare bones for a complete, body off, frame-to-decklid repaint that entailed lots of detail work including smoothing out the firewall and inner fenders, tucking the bumpers, and installing Pontiac Grand Prix flush door handles. For the color Steve chose a 2024 Lamborghini Urus hue called Blu Astraeus Metallic applied by Fernando Hernandez.
Stock chassis was upgraded with Detroit Steel tubular upper A-arms, JRi shocks and Baer brakes. In the rear is a Gear FX Ford 8.8.
While the body was undergoing restoration at Mick’s the chassis was upgraded with the addition of Detroit Speed suspension complete with tubular upper control arms, JRi shocks and Baer brakes. Out back there’s a Gear FX Ford 8.8—a collaboration by GearFX Driveline and Detroit Speed that places a quieter, more efficient Ford 8.8-inch ring and pinion gearset into a removable, dropout third member designed to bolt directly into any standard Ford 9-inch housing. It’s a game changer for no more ‘nine whine.’
From Mick’s Paint, the GTO went to Gabe’s Custom Interiors, San Bernadino, CA where they employed high end materials such as Lamborghini leather and the same carpeting used by Rolls Royce. The big change, however, was swapping out the factory woodgrain for a forged carbon material from Composite Speed Technologies, Simi Valley, CA. The custom badges were made by Billet Badges, Ramona, CA.
As sleepers go, Nick Walker’s 462-powered GTO has got to be one of the coolest in town because it’s subtle, and understated, and loud all in the same package. A bit like a Kicker audio system that goes to 11.
SPECS:
Owner: Nick Walker
Vehicle: 1967 Pontiac GTO
Engine: 462 ci Pontiac (7.5L)
Builder: Penta Motorsports
Crank: 4.250-inch stroke, 3.0-inch mains, 2-piece rear main seal
Rods: 4340-forged I-beam
CR: 10.33:1
Pistons: Butler custom forged
Cam: Comp Cams hydraulic roller
Output: 450 horsepower, 450 lb-ft of torque
Cylinder Heads: Edelbrock Performer
Intake: Holley
Induction: Holley Terminator X
Air cleaner: Dual snorkel ‘79 Pontiac Trans Am with custom 462 graphics
Headers & exhaust: Magnaflow
Valve Covers: Edelbrock
Accessory Drive: Billet Specialties Tru-Trac
Ancillaries: Spal dual fans controlled by Holley management system
Radiator: US Radiator – Aluminum
Transmission: 4L80E with Pontiac adaptor bellhousing by Hughes Performance Transmissions
Shifter: Hurst His-Hers Dual Gate
Torque converter: Custom Pro Torque 2500 rpm stall
Rear Axle: Gear FX Ford 8.8 narrowed approximately. 1/2-inch
Suspension: Detroit Speed
Shocks: JRI
Brakes: Baer
Wheels: Schott Drift: front: 18 X 8, rear 19X10
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4: Front: 245/40R18, rear 285/35ZR19
Upholstery: Gabe’s Custom Interiors
Seats: Corbeau GT2
Interior Forged carbon : Composite Speed
Steering column: Flaming River
Steering wheel: Lecarra
Steering box: 1987 Monte Carlo SS power steering
Insulation: Dynamat
Fasteners: ARP
Instrumentation: Dakota Digitail RTX
Badging: Billet Badges
Audio: Kicker
HVAC: Vintage Air Gen 5
Bodywork and Paint: Mick’s Paint
Door handles: 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix flush
Paint: PPG, 2024 Lamborghini Urus Blu Astraeus Metallic
Painter: Fernando Hernandez
Graphic design: Eric Brockmeyer
For more info about Mick’s Paint visit: MicksPaint.com
For more info about Pure Vision Design visit: PureVisionDesign.com
