Owned Since 1977: The Blue 1966 Pontiac GTO Convertible That Helped a Minnesota Man Meet His WifeSome cars are bought for the horsepower. This one came with a love story attached. Doug and Julie Bronson of Minnesota have owned their blue 1966 Pontiac GTO convertible since 1977, and Doug says the car helped him meet Julie. They have now been married more than 40 years, and the GTO is still part of their lives.Lou Costabile of the My Car Story channel visited the couple in a southern suburb in Minnesota on May 25, 2026, and the result is a nearly ten-minute walkaround and ride in one of the most desirable Pontiacs of the mid-sixties.A 455 and a Four-SpeedUnder the hood of the Bronsons' GTO is a 455-cubic-inch V8, backed by a four-speed manual transmission. That is not how a 1966 GTO left the factory, since Pontiac's big engine that year was the 389, so the 455 reflects changes made over nearly five decades of ownership. The video covers the custom work done to the car over the years and takes it out for a scenic drive.The combination earned plenty of approval in the comments. One viewer said the 455 fits like a glove, and another said there is nothing wrong with a 455 hooked to that four-speed. Others singled out the sound of the engine as a highlight of the ride.Painted Over 20 Years Ago, Still SharpThe convertible wears blue paint with a white top and a light interior, rolling on chrome wheels with red-line tires. According to the Bronsons, the car was repainted more than 20 years ago, and it still looks good today.Julie Takes the WheelOne of the nicest moments in the video comes when Julie drives while Lou rides along. Asked how she likes going through the gears, she jokes that she prefers an automatic, but she says she enjoys all the smiles the car gets from people. For a couple who have had the GTO since 1977, it is a fitting detail: the car is as much about people as it is about horsepower.More Pontiacs and Muscle Cars on Finding Old CarsIf you like long-term ownership stories, read about the Grammy winner who wrenches on two 1967 Pontiac Firebirds. For more American muscle, see the 1969 Dodge Charger General Lee tribute with the Dixie horn, the 19,464-mile 1970 Plymouth Superbird, or the unrestored dual-quad 1956 Corvette from a Massachusetts collection.Video: "1966 Pontiac GTO Convertible 455 in Blue & Ride on My Car Story with Lou Costabile," published by Lou Costabile on YouTube on September 20, 2026.
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