As a disabled veteran. I want to say thank you so much for your patriotism. I don't miss a single video, and I want to thank you for doing this for that veteran. It means a lot to see people giving back to those of us who served. Especially the Vietnam veterans. They came home to a country that didn't want them. They were treated awful and kicked to the side. What most people don't think of is that most of them were drafted to go to a war they didn't want to go to. They didn't volunteer. They were forced to go fight and then our country turned their back on them. They are true hero's. Thank you so much.

If it was Me, I'd finish with Mechanical 1st, Interior 2nd, & body work last. That way no scratch's can happen when working on Interior. This is the days I miss a lot, when A Mechanic was A Mechanic!

Thanks for doing this Derek! I’m a single mother whose son is serving over seas for our country as I type this. I wish I could give more but I’m stretched to the max as it is with the kids starting school. My son will be returning back to the states in Nov. I’m trying to get his car up to par before he gets back. I’ve already sunk $715 into it. I’ve noticed a popping in the steering. Any advice would be appreciated. Dodge Avenger 2008. my sister turned me to your channel and I’m so hooked! I’m learning so much. My daughters car needed a new alternator and with a few tools laying around I dropped it out and got that new one installed. I even marked the new one with the year just like you suggested. She was my right hand gal too just like your son is with you. I hope to hear from you soon. Thanks again for being you!

Dunno what makes a tear come to my eyes when Derek says what he says. Probably it’s not what he says but the way he says and does it, it’s from the heart. Bless you Derek, it sets you apart. ❤️🇷🇴

Been waiting for this one since I glimpsed it hiding in the corner. So much I recognize about this car. Mine is nearly identical in terms of equipment and trim, but is wearing Mariner Turquoise paint and a hood tach. Drove it OUT of the junkyard in 1990 and have been fiddling with it ever since. Love it. Fun fact, those valve covers and air cleaner are factory. Weird rad cap. Those air shocks are actually really helpful. Mine had 'em, I deleted 'em, and now it's got bags because that big ol trunk you love will really sag in the back end leading to severe tire rubbage.

I agree with a lot of folks here. 1st mechanical, 2nd interior, 3rd paint/body. Thank you for doing this for a veteran.

Derek you are an outstanding guy. As a veteran myself, your gift is in this GTO is so Appreciated!!

Thank you so much for doing this car for him. I just started the video and hearing why you are doing this car made me tear up. I myself am a retired vet from the 82nd Airborne division. Some of us vets have a hard time after being retired. I myself fell into a deep depression and ended up losing my wife and kids and everything I worked so hard for. It took me a few years to finally come around, but the damage had already been done. So to see that people actually still care is always welcome. I already loved watching your videos, but I now have a new found respect for you. Thank you for giving our brothers and sisters that little bit of joy back in their lives.

I am also a disabled Marine Vet, I appreciate what you are doing for this gentleman. I thoroughly enjoy your channel, keep up the good work.

I vote for getting the mechanicals working and drivable. Love 67 GTO's one of my favorites. Keep up the good work supporting our Vets and keeping the classics on the road.

Derek making a rare exception to his reluctance about plans and lists! Have to say, I think it's deserved. A wonderful new section, brother. Very nice drills.

Derek, Thank you for doing this and all you do for people, we love the channel. The comment about the Radiator cap being broken because it deserved it had us laughing on the floor.😂

I LOVE that you are doing this for one of our nation's veterans. What a HUGE thank you to Mr. Johnson for his service.

You're a good guy with a big heart Derek. As a veteran myself, I appreciate what you do!!

As a veteran myself, I more than appreciate all that you do for us.

Been here since the beginning, love every episode but this one takes the cake. Comedian, mechanic and loves his country. We need to protect Derek.

Tell you what Derek there need to be more people like you in this country that take care of our veterans. Keep up the good work man.

Very rarely do we see someone become so successful and actually deserve it. Derek, you’re the man.

My absolute favorite car out there is a 1967 Pontiac GTO brandywine red and black. There's something about the lines on that car that you just can't beat. Thanks a million for taking care of this gentleman as he, and all of our veterans, have taken care of us. God bless and stay safe.

Derek, as a retired disabled vet myself, thank you for your support of us veterans. God bless you and your family!

I enjoy Roadkill, Overhaulin’ and Top Gear - Derek does all these things on the one channel. A feller really knows his fan base and provides time and time again. Hands down, the best automotive enthusiast channel on KZfaq. Thank you VGG.

Derek, your basically an Automotive Archeologist. As always thank you for the video. Happy Memorial Day to you, your family and to all our veterans out there.

This is a very good thing you are doing here man. God bless all our vets and thanks for your service in both countries. God bless you and your family also Derek.

Impressed that you were able to get it running again ! You really know your work, and you enjoy it... what a blessing!!! It's so encouraging that you are doing the repairs for a veteran.

All vets deserve this kind of admiration and attention. You've done an incredible job for a hero Derek, very well done.

I love the “Pull it out of a field and drive it home” sort of revivals, but this is awesome, too!

Great work Derek. Its a terrific idea to do something to honour a vet and make him feel appreciated. Really looking forward to future episodes on this car, the paintwork in particular. Way to go!

Great to see you doing this for a vet, a feller is doing the right thing here. Can't wait to see the final reaction, he's going to flat love this! I'd say get the brakes going and get the fuel tank flushed out next, although can't wait to see how that paint's going to look shined up. You're so used to seeing those rusty MN cars, you musta been double-dipped seeing the underside of this one. Been sitting since I was 5 years old, looking great and now starting to sound great again. This is going to be a wonderful project to follow with you.

As much as I want to see that paint shined up, it’ll be so much more satisfying to see it running/driving good THEN see it sparkle and ready to really cruise.

Served 12 years myself, this is really amazing that you’re able to help my fellow brothers and sisters. Thank you soo much!

Again Thank you Sr. For giving back to our vets, NAVY vet here. We can never do enough for our vets, they deserve all the help they have coming..!

As a former Marine and vw bus collector and rebuilder, I am very impressed with your empathy for us Vetrans.

Amazing how I watched this hour and 17 minutes straight and felt like five minutes. Can’t wait to see the owners reaction. Keep up the good work

This is the VGG we all needed. Back to the roots! I’d love to see some series peppered in like these. Thanks for helping out a VET!!

You are a great person to think that you would go as far to help the veterans with a car. This is just awesome. I served in the Army during Vietnam. I was in the 101st Airborne. When I came home in 1974 it was a whole different world back then. Now it is people like you that has made a difference in people toward Vietnam veterans. God Bless you my friend for all you do. I really like your channel. Been watching it for almost a year now. I try to catch each new video.

Love your videos, admire your experience, and appreciate your compassion. Keep it up!!!

Would love to see all the mechanical done first, then interior then exterior. Pretty much the same order you did the LeSarbray and Betty White in. As much as it may seem like a repeat, it isn’t, I love seeing all this old machinery.

Wow. In Nov 1982 I was 26 years old, now I'm 66 and retired. Amazing to think of all the things that have happened in my life, careers, places I've lived, etc. etc. all while that car didn't move an inch.

That's awesome what you're doin' there. You got me spoiled watching the old re-runs all winter, always able to binge-watch episodes two, three, and so on. Now, I gotta wait for episode two to come out 'cause it ain't been filmed yet. Great stuff! I wanna see those brakes get fixed. Those old Pontiacs had great brakes.

Good video. I have a 66 GTO , been in the shop for 4 years. Hope I live long enough to see it out. As a vet your really doing something for us. Thank you.

I can't tell you how much joy I get from realizing Derek uploaded another feature length video. Derek if you read this, just know you're such an inspiring person and the world is a much wealthier place with you and your family in it. Thank y'all for dedicating so much of your time to us.

Get the mechanical done, then make it pretty! You already have a great start going so keep up the momentum. I am retired military and I really appreciate what you are doing for the veterans! You are a good man, with a great wife and kids who are learning the old ways through you. You just can't ask for more than that! Thanks Derek, I'll keep watching!

As a long time fan of this channel and Derek, I'm a little put off by the new direction of this channel. I love the idea of helping out our vets, but I miss the old style of the channel. I know he's got a lot going on right now, but I'm hoping for some more of the old school "pull er out of the ground and drive her 500 miles home" videos.

Amazing story to hear. I'm so glad your at a place where you can help others, your awsome my man

You've always been a friend to the veteran community Derek, and we love you for it. Thank you and God bless you.

Wow, does this bring up memories. I went to work on the Pontiac Motors plant 9 motor line in November of 1965. In those days we were working two shifts 10 hours a day 6 days a week and made 3 engines an hour. In January of '66 my GTO arrived at the dealer. 389 Tri-Power four speed. If you have ever heard of the Woodward dream cruise, they are re-enacting what I was doing every weekend. I actually met my wife there. I did a lot of jobs on the motor line including in order: putting oil in the engines, installing carburetors, installing spark plugs and painting engines. In 1967 model year (July 1966) we stopped installing carbs before motor test and instead used natural gas in motor test to run the engines on the merry-go-round. That is why I ended up painting engines. By the way, those valve covers are stock for a GTO. '67 was the first year the GTO had a 3 speed auto ('66 had a power glide). Those were the days. Aug 1967 I was drafted into the army. I spent almost 2 years in Vietnam and thinking about my car that was waiting for me at home was one of the main things that got me through. Thanks for what you do. I'm sure Barry will enjoy his car when you are done with it. God Bless You. Garry Butler

Love what you’re doing and the cause it’s great of you. Awesome to see a car get this kind of attention from so close to me, literally minutes north of me lol.

Great inspiration to get going on my 67! Doesn't matter what order you move forward on. I'll be watching them all.

I love your patriotism. It restores my belief in our country. I'm a twenty year retired veteran and I was already a fan but this puts you at the top of my KZfaq list. I am pretty choked up that you are doing this for a fellow vet. God bless you Derek.

Derek, you pretty much gotta do EVERYTHING exactly right on this vintage beast! Fix them dadgum ole plugs on the right bank and then let her rip on the rest of it. I can't wait to see how that paint and chrome shines up (AFTER all the mechanical stuff is addressed) and, yeah, who doesn't wanna see that interior come back to life?! I'ma bouta excited as I've ever bean to see you do THIS project!!

Brings me right back in time. The days when I purchased my beautiful 68 mustang. But like the veteran your helping out any of us youngsters who graduated in the 60’s myself 67 we knew where our senior trip was taking us. Yup I graduated from the Tonkin Gulf University. One hell of a school. Made us 17 year olds into men. Americas best. Derek I’m going to look for part 2. Thanks so much for sharing. Stay safe and well Artie 😊🇺🇸

That is so awesome Derek I love how you got her back up and running again. I bought a 68 Bronco that had been sitting for 15 years and had it running and drove it around in three hours. Coil wire was missing (rats) got it. So I jammed a length of romax house wire in the coil and distributor and fire up. So fun.

As a veteran with a classic car that doesn't run, this touched my heart. For that sir, I salute you.

In 1967 one friend had a GTO, another a Chevy SS, another a Mustang Fastback and yet another a Plymouth Road Runner, all with modified engines.... Vroom Vroom 😁. A contest ensued. Who could get from one small Northern Michigan town to the other one 26 miles away on I75 the fastest. 🚔Fortunately no one was injured in the making of this memory. As a Submarine Veteran I appreciate you working on a fellow Veteran's pride and joy. Thank you for your Patriotism. God bless you and yours. John here, from the back-roads of Northeastern Tennessee.

Appreciate your love of country and appreciation for veterans. You’re doing a good thing here, thank you!

Bless you Derek. You deserve all the success you've worked for.

Doesn'rt matter what you work next because I'll watch every episode of this rebuild....Very cool what you're doing.

Mechanical first, then interior, then exterior would be my vote. What a cool project! Love it

I’m a Vietnam Veteran and I think what your doing for MR Johnson is a wonderful thing. When I got back from Vietnam in 1969 I was on leave and purchased a used 1967 Camaro that was about the same color as that GTO. It replaced my MGA. Thanks for bringing happiness to a Vietnam Disabled vet.

This’ll be an awesome series !! Love this GTO ! Can’t wait for part 2 !

Beautiful idea, Derek. Good on you.

Wow only 20 minutes in & I'm hooked already. Hopefully it's not overly restored as it's only original once. VGG is the absolute king in this category!!

Very good Derek! Great idea and I'm sure all veterans will definitely appreciate this. Take care!

Great job as usual Derek and for a great reason ,paying it back with pride.she sure is in fabulous condition for her age, you dont need brakes just another fender in front of you to slow you down, hope Rebecca and the family is good ,Stay Safe and take care.

That car is a work of art! and crazy clean.. And thank you Derek for doing this for one of our brave veterans... You are a good man. My father served in WW2, a bombardier in a b-26 marauder, in Europe, and in my opinion we owe all of our brave military personnel, anything and everything, we can offer.... Well done!!!

This car holds a special place for me, Dad has had his Tyrol Blue ‘67 GTO since 1970. I’m a vet also and love that you’re doing this Derek, thank you!

You rock brother! I was in the military as well. So was my dad, step dad, father in law, grandpa, great grandpa, etc. We have all been proud to protect the citizens of this country. Helping out vets is a wonderful use of your time. I thank you greatly for helping my brothers and sisters in arms!

What a great thing to do! You have a great heart. Thanks and GOD bless you for helping a veteran.

Bless you Derrick for your generosity. For me, it’s very heart warming that you include your boys in what you do. That will pay massive dividends in years to come

Sir, you are a legend. I wish there were more people like you in the world. Love your show. Regards from Australia

I back loade this episode so I could se how this all began, I'm really excited and intrigued to watcch this even a few weeks past your post her Decemer 29th, 2022. A GTO stored for 40 years brought back to its owner, road ready. God Bless you Derek!

So happy I found this channel. You are the man. Enjoy the success you’ve obviously earned it

Good on you D. My dad served in the navy & I did as well. Probably one of my proudest moments was graduating basic training & as we "passed in review", my dad stood up & saluted my company. He is still , at 87 yrs old , proud to be an American.

Another reason to admire Derek. Helping a veteran get his special car back. 👍🏼. Keep the mechanical fixing going. Need to know what that miss is. Than do what keeps you motivated, although I think just knowing where it is going will do that.

A lot of good work you do for veterans! You know what your doing sir and love the humor! God bless!

Love what you are doing for this bloke. Glad to hear you appreciate the muscle cars of down under. Don't care what order you do the build I know I'll enjoy watching it all.

Get all the mechanical work done first. Then do the interior. Save the paint and trim for last. This is an awesome thing you and your family are doing for our veterans. Love the channel and look forward to many more episodes.

I had a 1974 4 speed/hatchback for years. Love this development, I've been a veterans advocate for many years. They need all our support in every community ( don't think the "system" can fill their needs). Thanks for all you do!

Great work for a great cause. I can't wait to see episode 2

Boy ! this brings back some happy memories..I had a '69 GTO with auto and 400...I'm going to watch this several times...

Derek, this was my first car that I jumped into at 16. Got 'er running with my dad as my first car in the early 90's ...and loved it all through high school. We were a GTO heritage family. Sadly, I was T-boned in it about 1998...I miss my first car... This brings around the waterworks in the face to see you work on such a machine. Treat her right. Enjoy it. Pieces of Americana like this are few and far between.

Being a vet.. I admire the fact you have the utmost respect for our elder vets who need an extra hand to get back what they love.. their beautiful rides...

Always enjoy watching your videos and what you do for others , love the car can’t wait to see the owner see it when it returns ,

This is awesome. I am not a veteran but I appreciate everything they have done for us. They deserve this. Thank you!!!!

As a veteran myself it makes happier than words can say. All our vets need support wether it be just someone to talk to or more. Love your videos and proud subscriber. Keep it up brother

As a veteran myself I want to say sir you are a wonderful man. What you are doing for this man is another reason I feel this is one of the best channels on KZfaq.

I've watched a few of your videos just today. I've enjoyed them. 5 minutes into this one and you have a new subscriber. Thanks 👊

I love this concept; I can't wait to watch this episode. The channel is already fantastic-- this is amazing.

That’s why we all love Derek and his VGG channel. Warm hearted and dedicated to our Veterans. Always doing the right thing. Nice gesture for a deserving Vietnam Vet.

What you do is amazing. You really walk the talk and I'm sure every veteran is tremendously grateful for what you are doing. You're a good man Derek. All of America needs more people like you and I'm serious. I had a 67 Tempest which was essentially a neutered GTO. Couldn't afford a real one but those cars had some of the finest body lines to ever roll out of Detroit.

Derek, I admire what you are doing for MR Johnson and his family! I recently retired and see what type of problems some of our vets deal with and I’d love you come help out on a build some time maybe just give a twist on the fire starter go juice can! Thank you for what you are doing for our VETERANS!

On my stuff, I tend to focus on mechanical first, then interior, then top it off with paint, or paint restoration. I sure love that car. My first car was a 65 Lemans so that brings back some sweet memories. Thank you for this channel.

I bought a '67 GTO in 1975 CV 4sp while I was in the USN. Owned it until 2005 and sold it to my brother. He finished a complete frame off restoration. The car now has 650HP built stroker motor with the original muncie 4sp and a overdrive. A couple of things about the car you are working on. The chrome valve covers and air cleaner is how it came from the factory. The air cleaner is the same as similar year corvette. One thing about the '67 400 is they had cooling problems at idle. They didn't pump water very well. This was corrected in 1968 with a different water pump. The other thing about the cooling system is the back of the water pump housing is made from aluminum and it also forms the cover for the timing chain. This aluminum part would corrode and erode and allow cooling fluid to get from the water jacket into the crankcase. This is an extremely valuable original GTO. Do not fool around with it. Do it right. Before running it much more do the following things: 1. pressure test the cooling system and make sure water is not leaking into the crankcase. If it does not hold pressure and it is not obvious where the water is going pull the water pump and front engine cover. Make sure the front cover is in serviceable condition and if necessary have it weld repaired and grind it back to the correct dimensions. 2. change the fuel pump and get clean fuel coming from the gas tank. You are going to have to do this before you drive it back to Florida. You know how to do this. 3. Fix the brakes before you drive it. It is foolish not to. This includes a new master and slave cylinders. Replace all of the flex lines in the brake system and put new shoes on. The brake drums on this car are unique to Pontiac and the GTO. Original ones are just plain N/A. If you need to turn them make sure to take the minimum material off. During the 60s Pontiac marketed their cars as wide track. They had a 1 inch wider track the the comparable Chevrolet Malibu, Oldsmobile 442 or Buick GS. They did this by increasing the thickness of the brake drums where the wheel studs go. 4. put new tires on it. It would be terrible if you took this car out for a test drive and one of these old tires blew and the car got damaged. I would cry. Other than this, I'm very interested in this project. Do the rest on any other order. Keep going. JimP

That 60 time is crazy fast especially with taking the weight into consideration... thank you for taking care of our veterans being one myself I really appreciate and have the upmost respect for you and your family

I don't know how I haven't started watching your channel sooner but I'm glad I did and love your videos. Keep it coming brother, love that you involve your kids and wife when you can. It's awesome to see people keeping old cars alive and teaching the younger generation about them. 👍🤙

I have a set of 18x8 VN508 American Racing wheels that would look great on this old American Classic. Love seeing these old cars get back on the road. Keep up the great work, Derek!

Most GTOs came with fan guard and or fan shroud, especially with AC. I found that my 67 GTO runs cooler with them installed. Great thing you are doing, Derek. God bless.

This is going to be good. I can't wait to see the rest of the work going into this. You're a good man for doing this.

Anything you think that needs doing is what I want to see on this channel! I really appreciate your humor, your know how! I have a 1986 Ford f150 step side that's screaming for a rebuild, unless you would rather do it!! It definitely fits into the category of project you usually do!

by far my favorite episode so far, excellent work brother. thanks for the content!