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

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!

EPIC !....dinner would be on me "

M.Gomes -San Diego california.

How awesome..!!

BEST!
VIDEO!
EVER!

Wonderful, Wonderful,

Wonderful story, wonderful car. I admire these Americam muscle cars, to me these are not "just a car", these are memories of an era, the good old days when everything was about raw power and simplicity

bawling my eyes out at 8:51am this is insane screw yall for this

U just had to make my eyes water 😢

Makes plenty of sense

Thanks. My first car was a 68 GOAT that I personally ordered selecting every option that I wanted. I customized that car and made more than the car cost me back in street racing ( times were very different then) and this story brought back all those wonderful memories. THANKS and Congratulations to your Dad.

CRAFTMEN NEVER FORGET THE LOVE,SWEAT THEY PUT INTO ANYTHING, WOOD, CONCRETE,ROOFING YOU NAME IT, GOOD JOB SIR!

nice car and cool story... respect

What a great story...Thanks for sharing!

I can imagine your dad woke up a few mornings and wondered if getting the car back had been a dream while praying it was true. As for his comment that he probably should have spent the time with his wife not cars. I dont believe that is true. A good woman loves to know that her man is happily enjoying his passion. Time apart both of you doing your own thing is essential to a healthy happy relationship, it gives you a chance to miss each other and things to talk about

Don't know about the rest of you but..... IM DIEING FOR AN UPDATE!!!!!!!!💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚

Those who have never been sentimental....JUST DONT GET IT!!!! I get it and this DEEPLY touched my heart. Your a good son!!!!! ❤

Thank you for sharing your story ❤

Been looking for the 71 GTO I had for 15 years now. Live in MA and It’s somewhere in Washington State.

It would have been priceless to have named that private investigator who didn't even try googling the car.

How awesome

Green grass contrasting the green color is perfect!

That’s a sweet ride !

He just knew the sound like it was yesterday in his vivid memory. Way cool and thanks for sharing your story with us.

It makes all the sense in the world to me......! Great job sir! The Camaro in my pictures I bought when I was 19 and have kept it I am 39 I just restored the entire car started in 2020 and now in 2023 in the final stages of finishing it to leave to my sons one day. I GET IT and makes perfect sense.

Loved all of this!

That's a great family and a wonderful Wife & Son. God bless you all.

It's not just a car....it's a memory.

I wish that I could find my dad's first car. A 1948 Chevy. Tanisha drown. My dad had a stroke and he has no short term memory but he remembers everything in his past and he remembers that first car. That was his first love.

I had a visit from the onion ninjas watching this

Not two minutes in and its hitting me in the feels...great video!

❤ beauty

To me, this is the love and respect that a son has for his father. How rich you all are, not the money, but the love and respect. Absolutely wonderful. Thank you for sharing.

Wow he knew the car when he heard it. It called to him. It wasn’t just a car but a piece of his heart ♥️

Awesome story! The BEST picture I have ever seen online was the one at the end with the family posing by the car recreating the picture of when they were all younger. Remember the greatest legacy that a Father leaves behind when he departs this world, is his children, not some machine (as beautiful as the GTO is). What we teach, show, and pass on to our children is what matters most. The fact that they have such love, admiration, and respect for their father is a testament to him.

It is NEVER just a car. It is a great memory that can be restored and made a reality. The look he gives you for ALL your hard work and effort. NOW you have that memory of giving from your heart to a person that you are so proud of that words cannot complete. It is the LOOK of complete joy. PRICELESS .💜

A lovely story, made me cry. What a smashing son to do that for his father.

Best ever sons do these things

God bless your family

2 revs on the pedal and he knew his car on the spot.. Man, that was beautiful...

This is EVERYTHING ❤❤❤

Es gibt Dinge, die gehören einfach zusammen!

Cut to me crying when the engine revs and his Dad jumps up 😊😊

For the Love of Life!!!! What a Great Story!!!

I love this ❤ it’s not just a car, the way he talked about it, you could fell that it was part of the family. Dads reaction was awesome.

Brought tears to my eyes

What a great thing you did for your dad! I’m a car guy and understand the bond. The car is the car but the journey along the way is a forever memory. Happy for your dad and family!

A wonderful story! I have seen the video like 5 times and makes me weep. Greetings feom Bolivia, South America.

Tears. Absolute tears.

Awesome this story brings joy to my heart. I had a 1970 chevelle ss 396 I wish I could find. I was 17 when I first bought it. Probably couldn't afford it but be cool to see I'm 64 now.

I think most of us understand what this car means to your Dad, it's more than just a car, you gave part of himself back to him. You gave him back that time of his life, the memories. All that is worth more than money. That is beyond special. See the way he jumped up when he heard that rumble of the engine, he knew straight away that was his car. Awesome son.💜