When it came to choosing the right photo to lead-off this story, I felt that it simply had to be this one. This is how a classic muscle car should be seen, out on the open road, running at speed. This also graphically demonstrates that this 1968 Pontiac GTO is not some trailer queen, but is a true survivor that is ready for the next owner to drive and enjoy immediately. It presents beautifully, and I’m sure that anyone would feel a sense of pride seeing it parked in their driveway. It is located in Redmond, Oregon, and has been listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding has now reached $30,100, but the reserve hasn’t been met.
The GTO is finished in Springmist Green, and its presentation is nothing short of stunning. The color is subtle and restrained and provides no real hint of the potent beast that hides below the surface. It is claimed to be a true one-owner vehicle, and when you look around the car, it seems apparent that the owner is someone who takes great pride in his classic car. The panels are laser-straight, with no signs of any obvious signs of dings or dents. The owner makes no mention of any hidden rust problems, and there is certainly nothing obvious in the photos that he supplies. It would appear that the owner wanted his GTO to have a clean and crisp appearance, and chose to equip it with Rally 1 wheels and concealed headlights. Beyond that, the exterior trim and chrome all present exceptionally well, while the glass appears to be free from any obvious chips or marks.
The originality of the GTO extends to its drivetrain, which is numbers-matching. Powering the vehicle is the 400ci “HO” V8, producing an official 360hp. Shifting duties fall to an M20 4-speed manual transmission, which then feeds those Pontiac horses to a Posi rear end. The addition of power steering and power front disc brakes will help to make light work of the driving experience. That combination essentially guaranteed that performance was never going to be lacking. This is a car that should be capable of demolishing the ¼ mile in 14.4 seconds on the way to a top speed of 124mph. The presentation of the engine bay is just as tidy as the rest of the vehicle, and it would seem that these looks are not deceptive. The owner does say that the GTO runs and drives very well. He also states that he has the original Sales Invoice from when the car rolled out of McKee Pontiac in Oregon City.
The interior of the Pontiac presents as well as you would expect for an original survivor of this age that has been well cared for. The upholstered surfaces are in excellent condition, with only some slight stretching of the cover on the driver’s seat indicating that the vehicle has seen regular use. The dash is close to perfect and features Rally gauges and a tachometer. The carpet appears to be original, and while it is beginning to show some obvious signs of fading, there are no real issues with wear. Interestingly, the owner chose not to equip the GTO with a console, but it does still feature its original AM radio. I guess that the next owner might choose to replace the carpet set to return the interior to an immaculate state, although if they left it as-is to protect its originality, I would certainly understand that decision.
If this 1968 GTO is as original and nice as the photos and the listing would seem to suggest, then it is a pretty special sort of car. It presents beautifully, and it would seem that the owner is not afraid to take it out for a decent gallop every now and then. Bidding has been strong up to this point, and I don’t find this to be at all surprising. I suspect that there might be some way to go before the reserve is met, but I must say that I will envy the next owner of this classic. They will potentially be parking a wonderful car in their driveway at the end of the day, and I wouldn’t mind having it sitting in mine. How about you?
Wow. If I could go back and keep “one”, it would be my 68 Goat. A twin to this one minus the hidden headlights and color combo. I actually like this one more due to that. Can’t go wrong with black interior and the springmist green is a bit unusual. Really pops. Beautiful GTO.
Frickn Lotto just won’t cooperate when you need it to. Had a 69 just like this except for color. Would love to have another one
you and me,both!
Nice presentation and pictures displaying the color thats growing on me too. I am not sure what the reserve is but it’s definitely pushing the envelope on pricing. I am sure once this hits close or exceeds 40 k then goats will start getting dusted off and ready to sell every where.
We have already seen more than usual for sale these days.
Its no monkey earlier fabricated version thank goodness but-a very sweet 68 🐐
https://youtu.be/PyHXHA7URUg
Very nice car, I doubt the bidding has reached its limits.
The seller never claims the car is a survivor. They don’t go into how much, if any restoration work has been performed, nor if the original owner is still in possession of the car. That omission suggests there has been work done and the lack of first person language in the ad hints the car is being resold.
Potential buyers would be wise to get more information about the cars condition and find out what work has been done.
Steve R
You bring up some interesting points. A local used car lot has a 1995 Firebird, not a Trans Am, with 78K miles for $2995. On its face it looks like a screaming deal…if I had an emotional connection to the car and didn’t care about its history.
When you invest in a car then the magnifying glass you look at it with needs a certain clarity, unclouded by emotion. If you’re buying it as a “project” then you have to be honest about how much time and money will need to be invested.
Which brings me back to the Firebird…for the price, to me if it starts, runs, and drives OK then the possibility that it’s a flood survivor can take a back seat because the car’s main purpose will be to take my wife out for dinner and ice cream.
But if that car was a few grand more, then the risks outweigh the benefits, at least in my opinion.
The Rally I’s are an odd touch, they were still available for 1968, but the Rally II was much more popular.
I own one of these. When he repainted the car made a grievous, but easily correctable mistake. He failed to put the GTO decals back on the rear fenders in front of the side marker lights. Otherwise it is a nice car. I wish him well on the price. I’ll be selling mine soon too.
Very nice Goat. I had one in 78. Gave $125 for it. All was wrong with it was it needed a starter and the drivers door was caved in a little. I sold it for $125 because I was getting too many cars.It had the hers and his shifter-400 motor. Ran and road really good. It ran dam good. Wished I kept it ,but I still have a few of them. haha
Sweet 68, I am more of a fan of the 69, but this one really is a nice one. The color, the Rally l’s, hidden headlights, what’s not to like. It will be interesting to see if it meets it’s reserve and what it actually goes for. Good luck to the seller!
As far as I’m concerned there’s no bad angle on these cars. They’re beautifully proportioned, with a grill that threatens to either suck you in or cut you in half, or both! Strangely I’m more attracted to a 67 Camaro or one of many Mopars..I can’t explain it. It shouldn’t be that way, but it is..I’m sorry GTO…
Great looking GTO, lots to like about these in general but my own question would be about the single snorkel air cleaner on it now. Didn’t know they were used on the 360 horse engine, or any 400 except the rare and undesirable 2 barrel economy package, in the GTO. Color makes it cool nowadays but I got a feeling it was a bit of a sleeper back in those days.
Made it to $32,900 but didn’t meet Reserve.