1965 Pontiac GTO Royal Bobcat: A Muscle Car Legend Revived

ROYAL OAK, Mich. — The 1965 Pontiac GTO Royal Bobcat, a rare and iconic muscle car, has been meticulously restored by Jordan “Joker” Smith, a passionate owner who brought the vehicle back to life after years of searching and dedication. The Royal Bobcat, a high-performance variant of the GTO, was originally crafted by Royal Pontiac in Royal Oak, Michigan, during the mid-1960s, a time when Pontiac was redefining itself as a brand for younger, performance-hungry buyers.

The Royal Bobcat package, developed under the guidance of Pontiac’s general manager Semon “Bunkie” Knudsen, included a series of factory-sourced performance upgrades. These modifications, such as thinner head gaskets, carburetor re-jetting, and a distributor recurve kit, transformed the standard GTO into a more powerful and thrilling ride. “It’s both a lot and not a lot all at once,” Smith explained during a recent showcase. “But the results are undeniable—this car has more than enough pep to be a blast to drive.”

Smith’s journey to restore the car was no small feat. After discovering the rare GTO, he faced challenges, including a move from an Air Force base in South Dakota to Texas, which temporarily halted the restoration. With the help of two friends, Smith eventually completed the project, bringing the car back to its original glory. The red 1965 GTO now stands as a testament to both its storied history and Smith’s dedication.

The Royal Bobcat’s legacy is deeply tied to Royal Pontiac, a dealership that played a pivotal role in promoting Pontiac’s performance parts directly to consumers. The dealership prepared a limited number of GTOs with these high-performance upgrades, branding them as “Royal Bobcats.” These cars became legendary among muscle car enthusiasts, embodying the spirit of innovation and speed that defined the era.

While the Royal Bobcat may not claim the title of the first or greatest muscle car, its significance lies in its unique story and the passion of its owners. “It takes people like Smith and Jay to keep the stories and experience of cars like this alive,” said a spokesperson at the event. Smith’s enthusiasm for the car is infectious, and his dedication ensures that the legacy of the Royal Bobcat will continue to inspire future generations of car enthusiasts.