Update 9/8/26 – After not hitting the reserve, the seller of this GTO has relisted it here on craigslist with a $30k asking price. Thanks go to Barney for the tip!
From 8/29/26 – 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
Straight shift beats crooked shift every time!
I’d call it sideways shift because didn’t the automatics on these have a shifter where you could push it over to the right and then push it up into second without risking it going into 3rd?
Never heard that term “Straight Shift”,until I moved to Virginia.
It means a manual transmission.
I would like to have this beauty. Been wanting a GTO since I was 14yrs old. Just turned 56 lol
I asked my son if I should sell my 70 Boss 302 Mustang for this lol ! He said no but it would be a super car to have
I’m not sure I have ever seen a 74 in that color? I kind of like it.
Back in ’74 we laughed at these “Wanna Be’s!”
This is a nice GTO!! Even better it has 3 pedals!!
it’s neat. real shame that this rare hood had a hole hacked in for a hood tach when there’s 1 in the dash. not too sure what the object of that was. looks like a decent restoration and those colors work well on it. i think the opening bid is going to hold back some bidders though.
Nice car. Love the Ram Air. Description says power steering, which I don’t see. Also says dash tach, so maybe the hood tach was added? Hotted up replacement engine with original engine included, plus 3 pedals. What’s not to like? Somebody will get a fun car! GLWTA!
Look at the picture above that shows the engine compartment including the radiator. The power steering pump fill cap is visible to the right of the alternator under the upper radiator hose.
I think if this can be bought for $20k, it’d be a pretty good deal. Ram Air heads and cam ought to wake up that 350, and you also receive a spare engine. I also like NOVAs, so this appeals to me.
This would be tempting if I were in the market. It’d make a great driver as equipped, and you’re not likely to see another one very often!
From the side view the rear end is not centered in the wheel well. I’ve see 2 this color. I’m a Nova fan but sure like these 74 GTOs regardless of their performance.
I’ve never understood the hate for these cars.
I looked at a Buccaneer Red 4 speed one in 74, drove it and found it to be a nice little car with decent performance. I sure liked the 74 more than the bloated looking 73. I started to work a deal on the GTO when I saw an Admiralty Blue 400 4 speed 74 Trans Am on the dealer’s back lot and bought that instead. I had started out looking for a TA but couldn’t find a 4 speed, which was what lead me to look at the GTO.
I’m sure I would have been quite happy with the GTO if I’d ended up with it instead of the Trans Am.
I know that the last gen GTO’s were not too popular but I would have no problem driving this all over the town.
The 2000 version based on a car from Australia with no common American version was a different animal/car.
From the beginning the GTO was based on a Lemans until the 74 when they went with the Nova based Ventura. There was a family resemblance to other Pontiacs. The 2000 models were Australian based with a Corvette drivetrain which is fantastic in action but there was no other Pontiacs that looked like them.
I don’t understand why some people pick on these. They basically follow the concept of the first year GTO. Taking a model of a different car and turning into a GTO as opposed to a LeMans or Tempest. This one took that idea further than stock ones of it’s year. They put an engine in that truly is worthy of the GTO name.
IMHO I would have replaced the original engine also but not with another 350. I would have used the RA III heads ,RAIV intake and cam and dropped in a 400 or 455 lower end.
Perhaps he had a smaller budget or just was enamored with the 350..But the pay off performance wise would have been huge and simple since most pontiac parts are interchangable .
I bought a 78 TA with the 6.6 220HP engine and as soon as the factory warranrty was over I put in a 455 HO/SD ” half breed” engine and it still sets in there today. The original motor sets underneath my work bench and will go with the car when it is time to let it go.
Very nice GTO here with a manual!!
I remember a bunch of these sitting front row at a dealer lot here in Baltimore.
better drop that price some more if they want it gone or they will be sitting on it.
Interesting car and rare color that I do like. A hood tach on a 74 is just not a good fit for me. I wonder if another 74 contributed some good parts/options to this car? I am not familiar with 74 paperwork but the paperwork lists very few options and this car has what I would expect would be some EXTRA cost options like buckets, console, gauges, AM/FM radio etc. Nice additions if that is the case.
Good looking example in an interesting color. Three pedals are more fun. Get some Firebird parts underneath and you really have something.
30k is the I really don’t want to sell it price ….
Yeah, my wife has done that to me before. “You gotta sell some of these cars, we’re running out of room!” Response…”Yes dear, I’ll list it on eBay”. Figure out what it’s worth…double it…and show her the ad. She doesn’t have a clue!
(Oh, and she doesn’t read Barn Finds!)
A Collonade “GTO”
So sad…
THhs body style is not a Collande body. Think Buick Century or Pontiac Lemans for that body style.
Yeah, and with the upgraded heads and camshaft, in basically a Nova body, this thing should be wicked! Does it at least have posi? With that gearing you wouldn’t have to wind it much to cruise comfortably, and with the HP it should put out it wouldn’t take long to get there, either! Sharp car, and no trailer queen. Love it!
I had a 1972 Pontiac Ventuta,302 cu in and 3 on the floor.I always wanted a Hot Rod.Still at 75 I love it if that car was closer to where I live.I would have it inspected and give him what he wants.I sold my Ventura to get married,I regret it to this day!
A 302..?
Are you sure about that.?
Pontiac did make a very limited production engine that was a 303 but was not available to the general public . It was a Ram Air V for use in their track cars..
You possibly mean a 326 .me thinks..
Don’t overthink it. He would have had a 307 Chevy.
The issue of Hemmings that came today had a very extensive buyer’s guide on the 74 GTO if anybody is interested.