This is one of those, “Oh yeah, I remember those!” kind of cars. Pontiac’s 1969 Custom S was positioned between the lowly Tempest and the LeMans, Pontiac’s standard bearer intermediate, and though they were assembled in reasonably large numbers, they don’t seem to be encountered often these days. Regardless, T.J. has found this sharp-looking Verdoro Green example for us and it’s a convertible! Located in Comfort, Texas, this well-documented Poncho is available, here on eBay for a no-reserve bid of $10,800 with twelve bids tendered so far.
The Custom S saw five different body styles including a convertible, a two-door hardtop and sedan (coupe), a four-door sedan, and a station wagon. Total production reached 86K copies but as the seller states, the convertible was a rare one with only 2,379 units seeing the light of day. The seller states, “Original paint shows well but could use a buff and shine. Two small rust bubbles visible under paint“. The included images present well and I’d go out on a limb and suggest that anything Pontiac finished off in Verdoro Green looked great. The chrome is strong and the black folding fabric top is tight. No Rally II wheels here, this A-body is still rockin’ its original wheel covers.
The listing notes that the 265 gross HP, 350 CI Pontiac V8 engine, “Runs smooth and starts easily“. The mileage recording is listed as 92K miles so assuming the engine has been properly maintained, it should still have plenty of go. The visuals present an engine that appears to be original and unmodified. An automatic transmission makes the rear-wheel connection.
The interior images are confusing as one of them appears to be the interior of a 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle but the correct image reveals a black vinyl bench seat interior that seems to show well. There’s a dash topper in place which is usually indicative of a damaged dash pad – though not necessarily. There’s an aftermarket radio in place but beyond that, originality abounds. The seller mentions, that included in the sale, are new door panels and a convertible top with all of the weather stripping.
So, a viable GTO substitute? Not really, just a very nice Pontiac intermediate convertible. I can’t say if the Custom S trim level designation is a price enhancer but I doubt that this car is any more or less valuable than a similar LeMans. Verdict? It’s an original condition and desirable model from a now-deceased auto marque and that makes this Custom S valuable in its own right, wouldn’t you agree?
Some nice value here for a nice driver, with performance upgrades right around the corner. Compare this to what a rusty Challenger or Charger would go for…
That would be a nice one to restore and seeing the overall condition , it wouldn’t be a monumental effort either . Those 350 engines were quite good , but did consume a lot of gas . My Lemans averaged about 12 m.p.g. with an automatic transmission but was a nice road car
Hopefully , this latest convertible will find a new home . Happy Motoring !
💯 %Agree! Fake goats are EVERYWHERE…Yahn!!! A refurbished origial Tempest Custom “S” would NOT be! I wish I had the dough to adopt this one!
The more I look the better I like. Great condition, top even looks tight. That color was everywhere back then.
Had a white 2 door 1968 Tempest with factory air, automatic and V6 Overhead Cam. Had alot of pep and great mpg. I miss it. One of the best designed Pontiac years
did you mean straight six?
Note to buyer: please do NOT turn this into another GTO tribute!
Wow! A real Custom S!!! I bought a maroon one of these for about $75.00 in about as good a shape as this one, around 1979 from a lady in my neighborhood who drove about 1 mile and back to work every day, never exceeding 30MPH. There was a little surface rust developing in the corner of the rear quarters and her opinion was, once the rust starts, it’s time to ditch the car. I had to drive it around the expressway for a few days to blow the coke out as we used to say, and had it doing 130 on a deserted road where we used to like to “open em up” a few days later. I really loved that car and I always maintained I’d be driving it to this day had someone not crossed the center line and hit me head on, totaling the car. Short story long, I have never seen another Custom S or even been able to find any online info regarding them, and often wondered if it was a dealer type badging / model or an actual factory offering. Thank you for the clarification and the rekindled memories!
Dang, brother! Sounds like you still have a purpose on this earth! That could have easily relieved you of more than your awesome car! Hmm, maybe this one is a sign, you should definitely buy it and love it, if for no other reason than to celebrate being alive! I was going to buy it cuz it’s rare, and really nice, and wouldn’t break the bank to spiff up a little bit, but it sounds like this car appeared on BF for you and you alone! She’s a beauty, no doubt! And hopefully the numbskulls will stay on their effing side of the road!
Nice clean body. Definitely make a great ride. If the price was $6k or less I would buy it just to cut the rear 1/4’s off for my 69 gto conv. Would be a shame to cut up such a nice car, but convertible 1/4’s are impossible to find. They are wider than hard tops
Sorry brother, you are nuts.
Nooooooo!
Pontiac swapped a 400 cam & heads onto the 350 & called it 350HO – seems a simple enough swap & the 400 ram air exhaust pipes fit also.
EFI would wake the Rocket motor up.
The Olds Rocket 350 W31 was probably almost as potent as the 320HP Pontiac Trophy 350.
LJ
I like it. Always been a convertible fan and until recently always had at least one. One time I had 3.
As for the 68 V6 Tempest, no such thing. There was an inline OHC6 though. It was an interesting engine.
That’s really nice. About max on price at the moment and I wouldn’t go any higher but it sure looks like a fantastic driver.
If nbsp it nbsp was nbsp only nbsp…..
Looks to be solid, minimum work needed/required. Priced about right, in my opinion, for a vehicle in its apparent condition.
Another GTO clone isn’t needed, and cleaning this one up to above average condition, probably wouldn’t break the bank either. Just a good, Ole fashioned Pontiac, that just needs a quality new owner that will treat it right.
In the mid 1980s I found [and bought] a low mileage 1969 Custom S 2-door hardtop in this same green color with black interior. Bought it from the original owner who said he ordered a Custom S instead of a Lemans or GTO because he couldn’t afford them equipped in the manner he desired.
He ordered the car with the 4-barrel Sprint 6 OHC engine, 4-speed [same trans as used in the Nova I believe], Posi-rear, A/C, P/S, P/B, AM/FM radio, buckets & console, and power windows! With that crazy option list, I’ve always figured it had to be a 1-of-1 car.
Sold it in 1999 to a local Pontiac collector in Baltimore, but have never seen it at any car shows. Kind of wish I had kept it, but at the time I just had too many vehicles.
Hi, I had lots of Pontiacs in 70’s. 68′ 400 Firebird same color! been looking for one…there’s no original anything anymore. it was a long time ago..I get it! I know Pontiac, had 68′ malibu, 69′ F.bird conv. 3502brl, 68′ HO 350 FB. 68’s are my favorite! liked astro ventilation! best w/AC. I will bid, 68′ Pontiac vedoro green 350.
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