I ordered it in March 2005 at David Taylor Cadillac in Houston. It took until the end of August to build the car and ship it from Australia.

I spent some time learning how to properly clean it up. These photos were taken after a good wash, clay bar, and wax.

Many people seem to think the GTO is front wheel drive, or V6 powered. I think GM is partly, or even mostly, to blame for this because of cars like the Monte Carlo.

Indeed, the GTO is a rear wheel drive V8, just like the original GTO. The 2004 model was equipped with the LS1; the 2005 model gets the LS2 (400 hp, 400 ft-lb).

In February 2006, after having the car for less than six months, an unlicensed and uninsured driver made an illegal left turn causing some relatively minor damage to the front driver's fender and front bumper. I took the car to the body shop at David Taylor Cadillac, figuring that a GM dealer would be more likely to put my GM car back together correctly.

They didn't really do that great of a job.  At least it was back in one piece.  You have to be very proactive with everything in this life because nobody else will ever care as much as you do.

In May, 2009, I had the HPE S-Cam installed along with Pacesetter headers, an underdrive pulley, a K&N CAI (aka "HAI"), and a very basic dyno tune, which resulted in a gain of about 100 rhwp (425 rwhp on the dyno).

I installed a Billet Pro shifter (which may be the best aftermarket part on the car) and a Monster stage 4 clutch (which infuriates me with its indefatigable chatter, although it definitely holds in every circumstance).

In late 2009 I took the car to All Wired For Sound in Milton, FL and had a nice Memphis system installed, with a fancy Pioneer touchscreen headunit with bluetooth and ipod/iphone integration.   I am very happy with the sound quality, but there are some annoyances with the head unit programming, and the amp overheats due to the Florida sun and the car's black paint.