Not GTO related, but Pontiac related:

April 2010:

It's that time of year; I suspect dads all across America are being asked to drive their kids around "in an old car", and my house was no exception.

Last night was my turn - took the kids for a ride and then dropped my second oldest daughter at her Senior Prom. We managed to get a few (silly) shots amidst all the seriousness:

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...6.jpg~original

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This is something I've been wanting to do for quite some time now; ever since I found the old tow bar hanging on the wall at Mom & Dad's house.

I put a hitch on the Grand Prix over the winter and finally got to try it out today -

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...1.jpg~original

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That's how we used to roll, back in the day!

K

June 2010:

Yesterday was the Widetrackers Chapter of POCI spring "Dustoff" car show; among other things this was to be the fifth and final presentation of the "Van Seymore Award" in memory of dad -

About 120 cars, representing several different Pontiac and special interest clubs, were in attendance:

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...5.jpg~original

In spite of the threat of rain, I brought the Grand Prix:

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...6.jpg~original

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...0.jpg~original


Here is the trophy for this year's Award, provided by the Widetrackers:

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...9.jpg~original

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...8.jpg~original

This year's winner was the fabulous '61 Catalina owned by Dennis and Mary Koss. This car was formerly owned (and the restoration financed by) Detroit rocker Bob Seger. Very tastefully done with a black and grey mild custom tri-tone interior, Vintage Air underdash A/C unit and '62 console. The car is said to contain Bob's cigarette ashes in the ash tray (...I suggested they should try to sell them on Ebay as "Bob Seger's Ashes"). This car was also chosen as "Best of Show" by popular vote.

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...9.jpg~original

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http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...1.jpg~original

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The Koss's are the only "two time" winners of the award, having won previously in 2008 with their 1962 Catalina "Royal Bobcat" tribute.

A complete set of photos can be viewed here: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...eply&p=4016176

August 2010:

We talked about the Widetracker's Dustoff show (above); if memory serves that event was immediately followed by the "Eyes on Design" concours event, held at the Edsel Ford Estate.

George Turner and I were representin' the GTO crowd at that one:

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...7.jpg~original

Complete set of pics for that great event can be found here:

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=636713

That was pretty much immediately followed by the "Concours de Elegance" at Meadow Brook. Tickets were provided by collector/restorer Joe Bortz, who wanted me to see a couple of his MotorRama show cars -

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...6.jpg~original

What Joe didn't realize is that he was really financing my trip to see this little guy:

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...5.jpg~original

That thread, complete with more pictures of A/FX racers, is located here:

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=639846

This week is, of course, Woodward Dream Cruise week. The actual event is Saturday, which I will have to miss due to a personal scheduling conflict, but I've been getting my fill through the week. We were out twice Monday night, and then again last night. Today I will be taking some out of town guests on my patented "abandoned factories" tour - visiting some notable Detroit area ruins and finishing up at the Pontiac Assembly Center, where all three of my Pontiacs were built.

One more thing:

I also had an opportunity to take some "old/new" photos at the GM Tech Center during the GM shutdown -


http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...1.jpg~original

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...l.jpg~original

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...8.jpg~original

........................

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...2.jpg~original

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...1.jpg~original

They weren't "framed up" as perfectly as I had envisioned but, in my defense, let's just say I wasn't given as much time to work with as I would have liked...

K

This found it's way back to my house the other day:

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...7.jpg~original

Dad never regularly used a cane, even in his old age, but he did make this one as sort of a novelty item. I believe he found the T handle at a swap meet and mated it to an existing shaft.

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...8.jpg~original

He wasn't afraid to use it, either, to clear a pathway in a crowded mall or car show, or to protect his arthritic feet and ankles. That T handle is heavy and, believe me, it hurts if you find yourself on the wrong end of it!

(lol)

K

We were just discussing "hop up" tricks on another thread, and I was reminded of something that would fit here as well:

The discussion was installing "weaker mechanical advance springs" in a reworked distributor -

Remember those cloth hand towel machines that were in the men's rest room of the day (the ones that were a continuous loop)? You'd give them a little tug like a window shade, and they would present the next section of "clean" towel for your use.

Dad and his buddies discovered that there were little springs inside those, that were perfect for replacing the mechanical advance springs in the distributor.

He said, at one point, you couldn't find a bathroom in Pontiac or at Chevrolet Manufacturing where the towel rack worked. They'd just go "bzzzzzttttt" and the whole length of towel would end up on the floor......

June 2011:

One of the PY forum members Bonneville Joe started a thread about taking his car back to it's original delivering dealer from some pictures and I thought "hey, I can do that, too!".

So - since this is Father's Day and I can do pretty much whatever I want, I drove the GTO over to 400 N Main Street in Royal Oak, formerly Royal Pontiac (and more recently formerly Jim Fresard Pontiac) for a photo shoot.

The building is actually being considered for a Kroger supermarket ( I have also heard they may tear it down), so I wanted to get some photos before that happened. These are intended to be primarily documentation of the existing buildings, but if one or two turned out to be somewhat artistic...well, that's a bonus I guess.

One other ironic thought: during my growing up years, when we were at Royal a couple times a week, it was a 50 mile ride. Now, as an adult, I live about 4 miles from this hallowed ground.

K


http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...8.jpg~original

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Ever gone into work on your day off, just to see what was going on?

K

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...1.jpg~original

Dad driving Pete Seaton's car (far lane) B/FX Final Round, Indy Nats 1963. Jim Wangers in the Swiss Cheese Cat in the near lane:

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...3.jpg~original

And here's how the day ended -

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...7.jpg~original

K

June 11, 2012:

Today marks the start of my 33rd year with General Motors; It was 33 years ago today I walked through the doors at Chevrolet Flint Assembly and the rest, as they say, is history (...except the stuff that hasn't happened yet. That wouldn't be history - lol).

So - I celebrated by going to the Widetrackers Dustoff yesterday. Beautiful weather and lots of nice cars.

First time in many years that it did not rain during the event. I had been waiting to do this, so it was my first opportunity to display the GTO hooked to the Grand Prix by using the old towbar. My brother in law also brought the Lemans convertible down making it the first time all the family Pontiacs had been in the same place since dad passed away.

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...6.jpg~original

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...5.jpg~original

Link to the full compliment of car show photos is here:

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=700643

K

September 2012:

Fall means September, which is when a bunch of birthdays happen in my family including Dad's, my sister - and the GTO.

It was 48 years ago this month when Dad and I headed down to Royal to pick the car up. We've had a couple small outings, in the spirit of celebration -

My wife needed to go to the bank so (since I knew I had a captive audience) I busted the old goat out to run into town:

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...a.jpg~original

We also had a little local church car show last weekend and Eric White (gtoric) convinced me to bring one of the cars out for display. The GTO got called upon for that one, too, since it was so close by.

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...0.jpg~original

There was a guy there with a newly purchased black '73 Laguna so during the course of the conversation he convinced me that I should bring mine as well. I ran back to the house (...literally - like a mile, on foot...) and drove back in the Chevelle.

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...9.jpg~original

Some other notable Pontiacs:

Marc White - '67 GP convertible:

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...4.jpg~original

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...3.jpg~original

Eric White - '67 GTO:

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...5.jpg~original

One of the visitors said "hey, that's pretty cool that you were able to find a drawing that's just like your car...." - lol.

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...6.jpg~original

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http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...h_DSC00972.jpg

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All in all I think there were just over 100 cars on the property. Pretty nice representation of Pontiacs, many of whom are in the Widetrackers Chapter of the POCI.

K

November 2012:

Thanks to Bill Nawrot (YNOBIL) for letting me know my GTO was in a new calendar -

This is the David Newhardt GTO calendar for 2013. There's a car from each year from '64 - '74 (two '65's - as there should be ;)) and a 2004.

In my case the photos were taken in November of 2007 and were from the same batch used in the big GTO book.

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...1.jpg~original

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Crazy Story: June 2015:

I had another one of those really unusual, crazy "It's a small world" coincidences today....

My church is large enough to need a "traffic team", and we utilize help from the Oakland County Sheriff's deputies to assisting getting cars in and out of the parking lot off the main road.

Naturally, I help park (...where else could I get "paid" for standing in the road and watching cars go by?...) and was visiting with the Deputy assigned to the north lot. I had brought him his two-way radio and we were shooting the breeze when I noticed his nametag:

It said "P. Deesen".

I asked him "do you happen to know a fella named Paul Deesen?"

"Paul Deesen Sr?" he said. "I'm Paul Deesen Jr".

Unbelievable. For those of you not already familiar with Paul Deesen (Sr) - he's the guy that designed the GTO emblem. And invented the red line tire. And designed the '65 Gran Prix. Among other things.

At any rate, we had a really nice visit. Very pleasant young man and it sounds like he enjoys his father's antics as much as we do.

Hopefully, I don't get any other chance encounters with Officer Deesen while I'm out driving one of my Pontiacs.

;)

K

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...6&d=1401663722

June 2014:

Sunday was Father's day (...which I didn't realize), so that means the "Eyes on Design" concours event at the Edsel Ford estate (...which I forgot about).

JMT455 was good enough to start a thread so I tagged along and stuck my pictures over there:

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=755163

I didn't take a car, but did get a kick of out this:

Spectators and participants get this nice, glossy print program commemorating the event.
http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...c.jpg~original

I was flipping through (..and flipping through...) and I made it all the way to the very last page before I saw this familiar nondescript black '65 GTO...

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...3.jpg~original

This photo is from the 2010 event.

Whew! That was close! Almost made it the whole day before running across my GTO in print somewhere...

(lol)

K

GTO build sheet, rescued from on top of the fuel tank:

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...0&d=1411039970

September 2015:

Well - it was bound to happen....

Took the GTO to the hardware store over the weekend and rolled over 5000 miles.

It was kind of a big deal (emotionally) for me. I knew it wouldn't stay under 5000 forever - I took it to church a couple weeks ago and figured that would be the day. Unfortunately it landed at 4998.8, so that gave me a couple more weeks to think about it. The trip yesterday blew that number away.

I'm over it now, though. Anything less than 10,000 is ok with me.

;)

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...2&d=1443439580

August 2016:

The big news I suppose is that we were able to execute a photo shoot with the GTO. This took place last Sunday evening at a small local airstrip with photographer Al Rogers.

The idea is for future publication in one of the enthusiast mags in the November/December timeframe. I have already provided the accompanying text (1000 words, first person).

K

December 2016:

Here's the internet version:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/clas...NnY?li=BBnb4R5

The print version is scheduled for this month's Muscle Car Review, hitting news stands on December 9th.

K

Since I can't seem to add this to my photo album I'm going to stick it here for future reference.

It's hard to say from a black & white photo but this could be our '63 sitting behind Royal.

Some defining features:

Silver on the front header panels, surrounding the grilles
Silver paint around the body side trim
Body colored wheels
Standard (non remote) mirror
Royal sticker on the sail panel

K

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...2&d=1509233948

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...3&d=1509234013

Another thread reminded me that I took some pictures during my summer vacation that I never got around to posting -

This is from Ludington, Michigan and is the original location of Stevenson Motor Sales, which is the agency my Grand Prix was sold through.

It is a small swap meet/flea market now.

K

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1540997430

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1540997682

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1540997748

November 2018:

And - this just in:

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1541613844

(Didn't see that coming).

K

August 2019:

Snagged a few pics at the Pontiac Transportation Museum while cooling off on Friday during the Dream Cruise weekend:

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1566308690

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1566308719

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1566308719

December 2019:

Got some nice coverage in the new "Lost Musclecar Dealers" book:

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1576238605

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1576238609

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1576238613

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...4&d=1576238618

June 2020:

Got a "new" Grand Prix yesterday -

This has been a long time coming. I've put about 10,000 miles on it since I've owned it (got it in Sept of '07).

K

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...3&d=1591625065

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...4&d=1591625072

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...5&d=1591625077

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1591625083

Some additional internet references for the GTO:

Original/One owners: http://www.oneownercollectorcar.com/...-keith-seymore

Wild about Cars article (Eric White): http://wildaboutcarsonline.com/cgi-b...=9990396621018

Performance Years photo album: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...hp?albumid=184

June 2018:


I received a note that stated the Gilmore Museum (the "Red Barns") in Hickory Corners Michigan was looking for a GTO for their musclecar display til April 2019.

I thought "hey - free secure, heated storage through next winter". (lol)

So I dropped the car off yesterday afternoon. My wife and I looked around while they got the car situated in the display - front and center. (My apologies to Dan and Dennis Jensen for displacing their car).





http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1529189703

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1529189721

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1529189735

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1529189748

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...7&d=1529189770

And updated display:

The Gilmore has re-arranged a bit and moved the muscle car display into a different room.

One of my buddies was kind enough to send a couple photos.

I was there in the middle of October for an outdoor Blues fest and to check on things but they hadn't made the switch yet.


http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1541521861

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1541521879

Right now the plan is for the GTO to stay there through April of 2021.

K

Something I've wanted to do for quite a while:

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1571166710

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...t.jpg~original

Thank you again Keith...for sharing...it was awesome to read it all!:biggthumpup:

Keen eyed observers might notice the similarity between this photo (above) and the one I am attaching below:

http://i1016.photobucket.com/albums/...1.jpg~original

My daughter popped that pose without any prompting from me. She must have seen "Marilyn" in the promotional pictures somewhere along the line and remembered.

I love you, sweetie!

Hi Keith what an amazing journey you and your father have travelled. Being there along side your dad was true blessing. The level of passion and involvement in racing, car hobby, and historian is astounding. The wealth of knowledge you've shared is very much appreciated by this site and our members!!!!

You might have noticed there will be a new feature My Garage & Story. This thread may be a good fit.

Here's a link:

https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=163818

Keith, thank you for putting all of this information together. What a great time in automotive history the 60's were and you and your dad were in the middle of it all.

Cool story, I gotta check out that museum. And the PTM in Pontiac as well