DEEP BLUE

JUST OFF CALIFORNIA’S Highway 1, in Pescadero, sits a cozy old restaurant named Duarte’s Tavern. Among its specialties is Crab Cioppino: a delicious seafood stew simmered in a broth made with tomatoes and wine.

Duarte’s was one of the late John Dooley’s favorite eateries. As a commercial crab fisherman, he must’ve appreciated the Duarte family’s commitment to fresh, locally sourced seafood. John was also a lifelong car enthusiast with a typical, “one-that-got-away” story to tell. In his case, that one was a ’65 Pontiac GTO that he sold after getting drafted during the Vietnam War.

So, about five years ago, once the constraints of a thriving business and a growing family had eased, John struck a deal with Bill Ganahl at South City Rod and Custom to build the ultimate resto-modded 1965 GTO — the car that appears on these pages. Lorraine, John’s wife of more than 40 years, picked out the paint: House of Kolor True Blue Pearl. John imagined wheeling this corner-carving custom-build