The Pontiac GTO remains one of the most iconic classics in motoring history. It defined the muscle car segment, with early vehicles currently achieving eye-watering sale prices. This 1974 example could have easily been the last of its breed, with the hallowed badge disappearing for three decades. It is an older restoration that presents well as a driver-grade vehicle, while the seller’s mechanical upgrades should provide improved performance. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting the GTO listed here on eBay in Eldon, Missouri. The seller has received no bids on an auction that opened at $20,000.
It is often said that timing is everything, and it is probably fair to say that the Fourth Generation GTO couldn’t have hit the market at a worse time. The energy crisis was biting, and cars with large engines were feeling the pinch. This was especially true for niche models like the GTO, and poor sales resulted. Pontiac based its latest muscle car on the Ventura, but it only remained in production for one year before the company retired the badge. The seller states that our featured classic is an older restoration that received plenty of TLC in 1989. The process included a repaint in its original Limefire Green, a striking shade that stands out in a crowd. The seller admits that close inspection will reveal imperfections, but if you’re seeking an extremely tidy driver-grade classic, it ticks that box. The panels are straight, and rust doesn’t appear to be a consideration. The glass and trim are in good condition, while the hood scoop, Rally II wheels, and the hood tach add a sense of purpose befitting its marketing as a muscle car.
Trimmed in Black vinyl, this GTO features bucket seats, a console with the sports gauge cluster, a sports wheel, and a pushbutton radio. The only notable flaw is slight damage on the driver’s seat, with the remaining upholstered surfaces looking excellent. This is unsurprising, because although thirty-seven years have passed since the restoration, this classic has only accumulated an extra 5,000 miles since the work ended. Once again, it ticks the boxes for a driver-grade classic.
The 1974 GTO’s specifications demonstrate how times had changed since the 1960s. Buyers received the 350ci V8 as standard fare, with no optional engines available. The 350 delivered 200hp and 295 ft/lbs of torque, with both figures comparing favorably with the opposition. It is worth noting that this car is no longer numbers-matching. The seller pulled the original motor, which is included in the sale. They bolted in another 350 from the same year, but with Ram Air III cylinder heads and a matching camshaft, a Ram Air IV intake, and an aluminum flywheel. That is a recipe for a dramatic power increase, with the ponies feeding to the 3.08 rear end via a four-speed Super T-10 manual transmission. The seller indicates that the GTO sat for a few years, so they’ve worked through a fairly meticulous revival. New parts include the fuel tank, fuel lines, fuel pump, carburetor, brake lines, master cylinder, booster, calipers, rotors, wheel cylinders, and tires. The results justified the effort and expense, because this baby runs and drives extremely well.
Many people probably believe that the Pontiac GTO was a shadow of its former self by the time our featured car rolled off the line in 1974. That sentiment is not a recent phenomenon, with that year’s sales tally of 7,058 cars proving sufficient motivation for the company to discontinue the GTO at the end of 1974. It would reemerge in 2004, based on the Australian Holden Monaro, but the consensus is that none of these cars recaptured the glory days of the 1960s. That doesn’t mean that we should dismiss our featured car, because it has many positive attributes. The seller’s price appears realistic, but is that enough to motivate you to pursue this GTO further?
Nothin like the older ones, but straight shift is a big plus