A muscle car Cinderella story- Son surprises Dad with the 1968 GTO that he restored 29 years ago

The restoration (1992-1994)

In 1992 my father bought a 1968 Pontiac GTO from a local man named Steve Cordes, who told him that he didn’t believe it was a numbers matching car. My father (Alan Vandyke) began to tear the car down to the frame in order to properly restore it. When he dropped the gas tank, he found the original Pontiac build sheet. After de-coding the sheet, he was able to determine that the car was numbers matching from front to back, and even into the carburetors. Over the next 2 years and change, he built the car back up from the frame, replacing everything that needed to be replaced. He rebuilt the engine, and cleaned everything up, and put it all back together. In the summer of 1994, the car restoration was finally completed!



In the fall of 1999, after having kid number 5, my father decided to sell the car in order to finish the basement. The day that he sold this car is the very first memory that I retained as a child. I remember the very last ride that we took in the car, on the day that it was sold. I was 3 going on 4 years old. Growing up, every time that my father and I went to a car show, I was always told to keep an eye out for the GTO. It never showed up.

The Search (2019-2021)

In the spring-summer of 2019, 20 years after it had been sold, I decided to start looking for the car. I dug up a few pictures of the car showing the old license plates, and sent them to a few cop friends to see if anything would turn up. Months later, my mother was able to dig up the receipt for the paint job from my fathers restoration of the vehicle, giving us the VIN number of the car. A long summer of unsuccessful searching followed, and in early spring of 2020, I decided to pay a Private Investigator to look for the car. After months of COVID, and not hearing much, the P.I. informed me that he was not able to turn up any information on the car. A few months later I had applied and joined a few Pontiac and GTO pages on Facebook, where I posted my story in hopes of somebody recognizing the car. Months went by, and still no answers. I finally posted to a few more Facebook pages, and after a day or two, I was told to Google the VIN. We are not sure what changed, but this time when I googled the VIN, a single search result came up: the registration for a car in the country of Denmark, matching the VIN and description. Since 2008, the car had been registered in the country of Denmark. After some searching, I was able to find One Facebook page that was titled in English “GTO club Denmark”. The page had 82 members. I shared the story again, hoping that somebody would recognize the car. The next morning I woke up to a picture and a video of the car in my inbox from a man named martin that said he knew the owner. He got me in touch with the owner, and translated for us since the owner did not speak English. The owner was excited to hear the story, but not willing to part with the car. My last communication with the owner was the fall of 2020. In January of 2021, Martin reached out to me and informed me that the owner of the car was in a tragic accident with his land cruiser in which he lost his life. Four months later, the owner’s daughter and widow reached out to me, willing to sell the car. My uncle (my father’s best friend) and also my fathers cousin pitched in to foot the bill to get the car back without my father knowing. I had it shipped in a container, and then trucked to a friend’s house, where we went through the car, before surprising my father on Memorial day of 2021.

[austinvandyke]

A message that my father asked me to post in this wonderful comment section:

So, as the father of this wonderful young man Austin, and the recipient of this long lost car I thought it would be good to add a few comments to this blog that might add something to this story. First, just for clarification, I am only ½ of the equation in raising this kid, and am pretty sure my wife contributed the bigger half. Austin in fact did get married this summer to a beautiful young women named Holly and as expected, the car was part of the Bridal party!
Second, I want to recognize the fact that the Jonassen Family from Denmark made a huge sacrifice by selling the car back to me. They let go of something very meaningful that belonged to someone they loved dearly. It is for this reason that you will notice we left the Denmark plate on the front of the car in memory of their dear husband, father and grandfather. Thank you from the VanDyke family.
Third, a big shout out and thank you for all the great comments! YES, I read them ALL! The one that really resonated with me and I am sure with others read something like “ unless you have left behind some skin and blood on a car you can’t fully understand the connection of car and owner” So true!
Now, about the car… as expected we drove it around a whole bunch this year. 4-5 car shows, cruising around the country whenever weather allowed. I got a lot of neck breaking thumbs up driving it. Gives a guy a warm fuzzy to know there are still people out there that appreciate Classic American Iron. Yea, it smells a little like a leaking fuel tank when you mash the 4 barrels open, and screams like a bad actor when both rear tires are striping the pavement but what a blast! Can’t do that with my grocery getter! I still have the automatic trans in it that Jorgen installed but, for all you purist out there, take a deep breath… I do have the original 4-speed on the shelf and plan to put it back in this winter! One thing I discovered (or re-discovered) this summer were all the friends we made at car shows. If its hard to understand how complete strangers can become friends in 30 seconds of conversation, go to a car show and start talking about 4-speeds, 4 barrels and 400 hp engines. The coolest part of these conversations is that every car (and I mean EVERY CAR!) has a story. They say family blood runs thick. I can tell you the blood of the car enthusiast family runs thick as well and it consist of oil and antifreeze!
A highlight in August; we were invited by Berger Chevrolet to show the GTO inside their beautiful facility during the Grand Rapids Metro Cruise. Every year during this huge car show they feature 40 + cars inside at their dealership. This was quite an honor for us. Someone who worked there saw our video online, contacted my son and asked if we would be willing to show it there. That was pretty special.
Anyway, the car is back home to stay. As many of you commented, it now has become part of the family and we are making new memories with the grandkids. My wife and I will continue to enjoy it as long as we can still drive or until they quit making gasoline ☹
Fall is on us so I put the 400 horses back in the stable for the winter.
Thank you to all my kids for making this possible. You make a dad proud. Love you guys.
Thank you to my dear wife for putting up with my love of cars for the past 36 years. It took away time I probably should have spent with you so I’ll try to make it up to you. Want to go on a date with me? I got a pretty cool car I can pick you up in. It’s a convertible!

[frbrbrgrblgrr]

When he hears that exhaust note and INSTANTLY knows... that man loves that car like it's his own flesh and blood.

[TheWingsoffury]

"It doesn't make any sense to most people"
Me actually crying because I understand 100% why this car is important

[fernandomcc]

The way he jumped from the seat as soon as he heard that engine. You can tell that man has way more than just a connection with the car. Awesome.

[zanegardnerbmx]

9:24 gave me cold chills all over. He knew the noise after 20+ years of not hearing it. That’s all you need to see to understand how bad he wanted it back!

[floydpepper]

I think a big part of stories like this is not only the car coming back but the fact you're children went to such lengths to bring you happiness.

[aalborggut]

I'm from Denmark and when I saw this beautiful video, I cried because the owner of the car was willing to sell it and have it shipped all the way from the denmark to the USA and make your father happy again

[kozak]

I sold my '70 GTO over 35 years ago, back in '85. This year I decided I wanted it back and I found it! Unfortunately, the owner doesn't want to sell it. A few weeks later I'm looking through the classifieds and I found an identical match, same year, same color, all original. If things work out I will be picking it up next week! Say a prayer for me!

[devastationofmankind]

To 99% of people it's just a car...to that men that's not JUST A CAR it's memories, feelings and things i'm not even gonna try describing.
You sir a true son, a real men and i trully hope the grace of god walks with you every day of your life.

[twain]

What a gift … the look of surprise and recognition when he heard his car, like an old friend calling him after many years . Love truly has no boundaries in all things

[cabbage_cat]

I teared up the moment your dad heard the car
Mad respect to the Jonassen family for the willingness to sell back the car

[DooWopsU]

Great story. Well back in 1989 I too had to sell my 1967 GTO convertible as I needed money for a down payment for the house I was buying so my three kids could have their own bedrooms to sleep in. To this day I don't know how many dreams i had with the GTO in mind. so I know exactly how he feels to get his car back. Enjoy life's to short

[ST_DCT]

It's not just a car, it's your dad's pride & joy, he's blessed to have a son like you

[kylederry]

I'm a mechanic, we're like car whisperers. It's more than just a car when you've got your blood sweat and tears into it, especially a nice ride like that. That poem clue sounded so nice, I found my way back home....teared up like the end of homeward bound

[lifeinlimbo]

A car is lifeless. But, when a man puts his heart and passion into it, it becomes a part of him. The car, in a sense, becomes alive. Such a great son. Awesome family. And to the father, your son truly loves and appreciates you.

[charlesthevoice]

His reaction when he heard the sound of that engine roar ran chills down my spine. What a great reunion story and family. This was awesome! 9:24

[jmrandom]

10:15 . No, it's not just a car. Your dad's reaction when you revved it up....car guy to the core. Great video/moment.

[bjorreb]

Dads reaction when he heard the car was everything. I'm from Sweden and here we have thousands of old american cars and it's the same in Denmark, Norway and Finland. It would be great if your family and the danish family met someday.

[xDivulGeX]

I love that he shot up immediately after hearing it rev. He knew that big block.

[toddbarboza]

Thanks, this video made me cry. I bought my '68 GTO in October of 2003. I took my dad, who was very ill at the time, for a ride in it. He was very happy for me, told me it was a real good car & told me to enjoy it. He passed away November 19th of the same year. It's my last memory of him smiling and being my dad...