69 GTO RAV Golden Sabre

[Steve_Hoog]

Bill Knafel made approximately 12 of these. Picture and article to follow are provided by John at the Goatfinder GTO Classifieds, John interviewed the Knafel's many years ago and was provided with select photos.

[Steve_Hoog]

Here is the article John wrote after interviewing the Knafel's that accompanies the picture of the Sabre.

[DaJudge]

Nice looks like Hurst wheels on that car. Is the 70 Judge described in the article now owned by one of the SYC members on this site? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[Steve_Hoog]

Yes, that would be Mike (sixtiesmuscle) and is the one Mickey is restoring.

I didn't know about the special heads supposedly on that car, very interesting and I'm looking further into that.

[427TJ]

Nice---Hurst wheels and belted whitewall 70s. What a sleeper, until you turn the key, that is.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[copo9566aa]

Thanks Steved
Look cool these Judge Golden Sabre http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif
And i like the Hurst wheels http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[Steve_Hoog]

I just found out this pic was taken from a color picture, so I'm working on getting him to scan it in a hight quality color photo. Sweet.....

The individual in the photo is believed to be an un identified car salesman.

[gtoguru]

My version of the Golden Sabre: 69 GTO, Burgundy with Parchment interior, RAIII with 4-speed, Hurst wheels on radial redlines. Jim

[427TJ]

Wow Jim, that is one gorgeous Goat. The Hurst wheels and redlines really nail it, IMHO.

[MrsBillyBobcat]

Yes, Jim your GTO is BEAUTIFUL! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif

Looks like that pic was taken at the GTO Nats in Columbus. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Rita http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[gtoguru]

Yes it was taken in Columbus. Not really a show car so I put it in popular vote. Enough people must of liked it as I won the 1st place award. Yeah, I kinda like it too. Ran it at the drag race but could only run a 14.50. Really slippery there. Have run a 14.25 at Norwalk. Its really just a cruiser though. I look forward to seeing a color pic of the Golden Sabre. Jim

[MrsBillyBobcat]

Thought so http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif Congratulations on taking 1st place! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

Rita

[Steve_Hoog]

Here is the color pic courtesy of John at The Goatfinder.

I wanted to keep it at a good size, so I had to post it on my web page, here's the link:

Color Pic of the Golden Sabre (http://www.azalea.net/~steved/knafelgs.jpg)

[Steve_Hoog]

I need to correct myself. I have been spelling it Sabre, for some reason I thought that was it. The new color photo set me straight, it should be Golden Saber.

[supergonzo]

That looks like a goatfinder article. The RAV contraversy has been going for a long time. Jim Wangers noted Pontiac ad manager/racer/etc.etc., who I personally have asked whether there were any RAV cars built by Pontiac, says there were not. A dealer or an individual could install them themselves however. Knafel would certainly be among the top performance Pontiac dealers building cars like 428 GTO's,etc. Just like Myrtle & Royal Pontiac did. So I imagine they could have built these, but 12 of them???