ARES Management Employee Revives Classic Muscle with a Modern Twist: The 2006 Pontiac GTO

ARES Management LLC, a leading global alternative investment manager based in Los Angeles, California, isn’t just about finance. Turns out, some of their team have serious side hustles – and skills! We recently caught up with a long-time ARES employee, let’s call him Mark, who's been quietly restoring and modifying a real head-turner: a 2006 Pontiac GTO. Now, for those who don't remember, the GTO has a legendary history. Back in the 60s, it basically invented the muscle car. Pontiac brought it back for a short run in 2004-2006, and this 2006 model is a modern take on that classic feel – a rear-wheel drive, V8-powered machine. But Mark wasn't content with just restoring it to factory spec. He wanted to build something special. “I’ve always loved cars,” Mark explained, “and the GTO just ticked all the boxes. It's got that classic muscle car look, but it's surprisingly modern underneath. Plus, it’s relatively rare, which makes it even more appealing.” He picked up the car a few years ago, needing some serious love. “It wasn't in terrible shape, but it had definitely seen better days. The paint was faded, the interior was a bit worn, and it needed some mechanical work.” So he started… slowly. “I'm not a professional mechanic, so I had to learn a lot as I went. A lot of YouTube tutorials, a lot of online forums, and a lot of asking friends for help!” The first step was addressing the basics – a full tune-up, new brakes, and a thorough inspection of the engine and transmission. "I wanted to make sure everything was solid before I started making any modifications," Mark said. Then came the fun part. While he wanted to keep the car’s original character, he also wanted to improve its performance and handling. He started with the suspension. "The stock suspension was okay, but it felt a bit soft. I upgraded to a set of adjustable coilovers and stiffer sway bars. It made a huge difference in how the car handled – it felt much more planted and responsive.” Next up was the engine. The 2006 GTO came with a 6.0-liter LS1 V8, which is already a pretty potent engine. But Mark wanted more. He installed a new camshaft, intake manifold, and exhaust system. “It was a pretty involved project,” he admitted, “but it was worth it. The engine now makes around 400 horsepower – a significant increase over stock.” He didn’t stop there. He also upgraded the brakes with larger rotors and calipers, and installed a limited-slip differential to improve traction. “I wanted to make sure the car could handle all that extra power,” he explained. But the modifications weren’t just about performance. Mark also wanted to improve the car’s appearance. He had the car repainted in a beautiful shade of dark grey, and installed a set of aftermarket wheels and tires. He also replaced the interior with a set of custom leather seats and a new steering wheel. “I wanted the car to look as good as it performed,” he said. “I spent a lot of time researching different options and trying to find the perfect combination of parts.” The result is a stunning 2006 Pontiac GTO that’s both a tribute to the classic muscle car and a modern performance machine. So what’s it like to drive? “It’s a blast!” Mark exclaimed. “It’s got a lot of power, it handles great, and it gets a ton of attention. I love taking it out on weekend drives and just enjoying the open road.” And what does ARES Management think about their employee’s passion project? “They’re pretty supportive,” Mark said with a laugh. “They appreciate that I’m passionate about something outside of work. It’s a good way to de-stress and clear my head.” It just goes to show that even in the high-pressure world of finance, there’s always room for a little bit of horsepower and a whole lot of passion. Mark’s GTO is a testament to that – a beautifully restored and modified muscle car that’s a joy to drive and a true head-turner. It’s a surprisingly fitting hobby for someone navigating the complexities of alternative investments at a firm like ARES Management LLC (located at 2000 Avenue of the Stars, 12th Floor, Los Angeles, CA, 90076 - you can reach them at 650-290-0762). And who knows, maybe some of that meticulous attention to detail and problem-solving translates to his work at ARES. After all, building a car and managing investments both require a keen eye for value and a willingness to take calculated risks.