Greetings from Louisiana

**SteveJames** · 03-08-2025

I'm Steve, and I've been daily driving my GT for 27 years now. For me (and I'm sure quite a few others here), this is one of those cars that I'd kick myself if I ever sold it. The engine has been lifted to repair an oil pan seal leak, but other than bolt on stuff, it's never been touched. Last month I hit 200k miles and still drives great. I got sideswiped in New Orleans a while back and the rear quarter was caved in. The guys at A.J. Dohmann GM did a remarkable job re-establishing the profile. And since I got tired of faded fire engine red, I had it painted burgundy pearlescent while they were at it. It looks almost brown on cloudy days or on a windows PC, but looking at it on a mobile device will make the color evident. The aftermarket side skirts were not my idea. The 'good folks' at Oliver's Towing and Recovery thought the car could be four-point lifted on the OEM fiberglass. Needless to say, it ended badly. If you ever find yourself in south central St. Mary Parish, avoid them. If you come here in the springtime, treat yourself to a genuine Louisiana crawfish boil. Anyhow, I'm glad to be here and I'll be looking for quite a few DIY tips for projects I have coming up in the future.

Steve

**FordMan77** · 03-09-2025

Welcome Steve! Sounds like a 97 or 98 GT. Good to hear those rear strut towers are still holding out after that long, lol.. @200K that 3800 is just getting broken in. Should serve for many more miles.

I'd imagine any color is better than the failing clearcoat that was on it before. Wish I could afford to have my 00GT resprayed but just not in the cards. Would like to see a pic of that color when you get time. Sounds cool.

**SteveJames** · 03-09-2025

Hi FordMan77, I had coilovers installed a couple of years back and the shop didn't have any problems with the towers. The car handles great again. I had the front end lowered so now I've got to be a bit more careful going over speed bumps or I'll scrape the undercarriage, but I like the more aggressive stance.

**FordMan77** · 03-09-2025

Nice! I never made it to coilovers since it's my DD and I drive it for work through some crappy STL city streets on occasion. I'm lowered on Eibachs all around and that seems just about as low as I'd like to go. I still bang the ZZP downpipe if I don't pay attention. I just wanted the wheelgap gone as it's not a 4x4, lol.. These cars definetly look better lowered tho.

**SteveJames** · 03-10-2025

I've looked at original 68 goats and some of them had that 4x4 front end. I guess it's kind of a weird pedigree. And speaking of the GTO, I always thought the 97-03 GP coupe would have been the perfect platform for the GTO reissue instead of that dorky Holden thing. RWD of course.

**FordMan77** · 03-10-2025

Certain parts of of the 97-03's may have benefited the reissued GTO, even if with a small refresh. Keep in mind the GP was already 7 years in with the same body style. The public was already tired of seeing it by then. It likely would have cost GM a ton on money to redesign the body of the Holden Monarao vs. just change the emblems to Pontiac and call it a day. And since we know how well GM was at managing their finances back then, well... ya.

Same thing they did with the 2014-2017 Chevy SS. Basically a left hand drive Holden Commodore. Non-car people see it as a big Malibu. One of the most underrrated cars that most people know nothing about. A 4 door, 5 passenger, LS3 V8, RWD 6 speed manual. Truly the last of the breed unless you want to get into exotic range price-wise. I'm currently on the hunt for a particular one to add as my DD. My knees are still good enough to let me row the gears, lol..

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