The First Generation GTO appeared on the market in 1964, and while other models claim the title of the original muscle car, most enthusiasts place that crown on the GTO’s head. It remained in production until 1974 before disappearing from showroom floors. Pontiac revived the badge in 2003, but a lack of sales success saw the ax fall for the final time in 2006. Tragically, the Pontiac brand wasn’t far from following the GTO into automotive oblivion. Our feature car is a 1967 GTO Convertible. The seller claims that although it occupied this spot for over two decades, it is an essentially solid car requiring lots of TLC. The process won’t be cheap, but the finished product will turn heads. It is listed here on Craigslist in Browns Mills, New Jersey. The seller hasn’t set a firm price, but they will consider offers. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder TommyT-Tops for spotting this promising project.

The backstory of this GTO is unclear, but it hasn’t seen the light of day for more than twenty years. It is a sad sight, with no visible evidence of its beautiful Tyrol Blue paint and the top nothing but a frame. There is a significant coating of surface corrosion, although the seller indicates there is little penetrating rust. The overall condition suggests the buyer will probably approach the build as a frame-off project to ensure the car remains rock-solid for many decades. There is evidence of some Bondo, but it doesn’t appear extensive. The buyer will face a long shopping list of exterior components like badges and trim pieces, but some of those still attached look restorable. It is unclear whether the seller includes the windshield, but the side glass appears intact.

Lifting the hood reveals a mystery with this GTO. The seller says they don’t believe its 389ci V8 is original. If that is its capacity, that makes sense. Pontiac increased the bore size of the 389 for 1967, raising the capacity to 400ci. Therefore, this classic isn’t numbers-matching if the engine is what they say. The motor hasn’t run for at least ten years, and the amount of corrosion on the rocker gear suggests the buyer may face a rebuild that will add to the project costs. The original owner ordered the car with a three-speed TH-400 transmission, and depending on what version of the 400 originally called the engine bay home, it would have offered respectable performance. The entry-level unit produced 255hp, propelling the car through the ¼ mile in 16.5 seconds. The 335hp powerplant was a more common choice, dropping the figure to 14.9 seconds. If the original owner threw caution to the wind, the range-topping 360hp beast further slashed the figure to 14.7 seconds. It will require an in-person inspection to determine the motor’s originality and capacity, and it would be a worthwhile exercise when determining potential offers for this classic.

The restoration of this GTO will include a complete interior refresh, but it does appear complete and unmolested. It features bucket seats, a center console, a desirable “His n Her” shifter, air conditioning, and a pushbutton AM radio. A quick online search uncovered a trim kit for $3,100 which may interest the new owner. The figure is a significant outlay, but it includes virtually everything required to return the interior to its former glory. It caught my eye because it includes a replacement soft top with the well liner, top boot, tightening pads, and boot clips. The buyer would only require a replacement wheel and a woodgrain trim kit for $100, and the interior would look stunning.

Whenever I look at classics like this 1967 GTO Convertible, I ponder the vagaries of the automotive world. It seems unfathomable that a company capable of producing some of the most iconic performance classics to grace our roads could succumb to economic rationalism. However, that was the fate of Pontiac. Making the bitter pill more difficult to swallow, it departed with a pathetic whimper rather than in the blaze of glory it deserved. There is no evidence that General Motors will revive the brand, making it essential that cars like this GTO return to their stunning best. That way, when future generations ask enthusiasts what was special about Pontiac, they can point to these classics as prime examples. They will say more than mere words, which is how it should be.