1 of 280! 1967 Pontiac 428 2+2 Convertible

Pontiac’s GTO gets the tiger’s share of attention when it comes to ’60s performance, but shoppers with fat wallets in 1967 ignored the mid-sized GTO to go upmarket, delighting the dealer with a quest for full-sized style and flair. Pontiac arguably created the classic muscle car (mid-sized package with the larger motor from a full-size) by stuffing its 389 cid V8 into the 1964 GTO, but the big dog 428 mill remained exclusive to the bigger cars like this Catalina-based 2+2 in Plainfield, Wisconsin. The 1967 Pontiac 2+2 convertible flashed plenty of callouts including “2+2” on the front (missing), rear, and sides, and “428” on both front fenders. The Badger State classic shows rust everywhere, promising to test the buyer’s patience, time, and skills. Owners with fully-restored cars in their garage often recommend you save your effort and buy the best one you can afford.

The claimed numbers-matching Pontiac came with a dual circuit master cylinder and power brakes plus power steering. The four-barrel 428 cid (7.0L) V8 made 360 HP at 4600 RPM and 472 lb-ft of torque at 3200, according to the factory brochures at lov2xlr8, topped only by the higher compression “Quadra-Power” 428 that rocked 376 HP and less torque, 462, both of those number coming at higher RPM of 5100 and 3400 respectively. I can almost feel the buttery torque propelling this open-air land schooner with authority.

The imposing bumper and full-width tail panel show off the 2+2’s upscale market position, with a rectangle theme extending to the small embedded reverse lights. The seller reports they are keeping another 2+2 convertible, branding this one the lesser candidate. Some years before safety regulations gave us infamous “diving board” bumpers, Pontiac designers rendered elegant large bumpers, a luxury chrome design element protecting the car’s corners while accentuating its style.

Originally painted gold, this classic sent the 428’s power rearward to a Traction-Loc axle through a three-speed floor-shifted automatic. The black interior matches the original black soft top. Sport trumped luxury on this 428-powered 2+2; it’s hard to find a car with roll-up windows and no air conditioning today, but many ’60s buyers found air conditioning redundant on a convertible, and often skipped power windows and door locks as “more things to go wrong.”

The Pontiac beak and quad headlights reflect along the hood seam downward to the vented chrome bumper. Pictures in the listing confirm that corrosion visible here represents the tip of the rustberg. Bidding here on eBay has at least eight bidders engaged with the top offer topping $2000. The $5500 Buy It Now price is about as low as you’ll see on a rusty 428 Poncho this complete. Years ago I’d have called this 2+2 overdone and too big, but after seeing 74,000 glorious GTOs, I rather prefer the full size simply for variety, and the 428 engine brings added interest. Who do you picture buying this rare rusty rag-top?