Rarity is often cited as ample justification for enthusiasts to undertake what could be a back-breaking restoration. However, at what point should we wave the white flag and declare that a classic is beyond salvation? That is the question posed by this 1973 Pontiac GTO. This once-magnificent muscle car has been reduced to a shadow of its former self, although it retains its original drivetrain. Bringing it back from the brink will not be for the faint-hearted, although you might examine the seller’s photos and decide that the effort isn’t justified. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Mitchell G. for spotting the GTO here on eBay in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. The seller set their auction to open at $2,000, but they have received no bids so far.
The GTO had gone “the full circle” by 1972. After appearing as an options pack on the 1964 LeMans, it achieved standalone model status in 1966. The situation remained unchanged until it once again became part of the LeMans lineup in 1972. The 1973 model year saw the Third Generation hit the market, with the first owner ordering this 1973 example in Cameo White. There is little evidence of the original shade as most of the exterior is consumed by surface corrosion. It appears to be missing a few panels and some glass, but that is the least of its problems. The seller admits there are major rust problems impacting the floors and frame, meaning any restoration would require a nut-and-bolt approach. Pontiac may have only sold 4,806 GTOs in 1973, but that begs the question of whether that figure justifies the major undertaking required to drag this one back from the edge of oblivion.
Pontiac offered the 400ci V8 as the entry-level engine in the ’73 GTO range, and the first owner teamed that powerplant with a four-speed manual transmission and a 3.23 rear end. Interestingly, this combination was only chosen by 1,113 buyers, which further emphasizes the relative rareness of this classic. The 400 was a shadow of its former self by 1973, delivering 230hp when 350hp had been the norm only three years earlier. The seller claims that this Pontiac is numbers-matching, which may be one of the few rays of sunshine on what has been a very cloudy day. However, the heavy corrosion across the engine and its ancillaries doesn’t bode well for the motor’s health because the seller doesn’t indicate whether it turns. This is a case where potential buyers should hope for the best but brace for the worst.
While it may not initially appear the case, this GTO’s interior is essentially complete. The first owner selected Blue vinyl trim, which would have looked classy in its heyday. However, a complete retrim is required, and you can be almost guaranteed that the lack of side glass has allowed moisture to find its way into the wiring, relays, and gauges. That will almost inevitably have done significant harm, meaning that these items will also need to find their way onto the shopping list. The further we delve into the GTO, the more its potential restoration is going to cost.
This 1973 Pontiac GTO is a sad and sorry sight, needing a miracle to return to its former glory. The listing statistics tell the story of this classic quite clearly, with only six people adding it to their Watch List. Even its relative rarity may not be enough to save it because every aspect of this GTO would require major work before the car graced our roads again. I never like to consider any classic to be a lost cause, but I fear that is the case here. Do you agree, or are you prepared to roll the dice and make play for this poor Pontiac?
There is absolutely nothing worth saving on this car. You would be miles ahead in the long run looking at a turn key example.
https://youtu.be/HJo86OwfIE0?si=fkvN6xAYCz0LpZmI
Nothing 70k and 2000 hours couldn’t fix.
more like 270k and 5000 hours of repair.do you honestly think that engine is not froze… jack up the number plate and stick a new car body under it…this car was over ripe 3 years ago
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on the ebay blue interior shot at the top of that pic is what looks like a laguna S3 front clip. was this an attempt at a frankenstine change
Yeah, why the hell would BF even put this car on the website? Just askin’.
To give the Porsche 356 guys an alternative, they pay big dollars for rusty shells.
The 68-70 Charger is a better comparison.
Steve R
where’s another rust bucket MoPar! Help me out fellas.
Unbelievable, just absolute junk. If you were an alchemist and could turn rust into sheet metal there might be something there.
Lawn art…
That’s a lot of money for a transmission, even if you knew it’s in good working condition.
Steve R
Junque
Oh some parts are savable like the drive train. That’s why he’s asking 2G. I see a lot of negativity on this site from newbies. Complain complain complain
I’d agree if the engine or rear end had anything going for them. However, the engine is just a low compression passenger car 400 that’s been sitting for an unknown length of time in a field open to the elements and the rear end is a 3.23 open. Neither have much, if any value in their own right.
Steve R
If you don’t know Pontiac anything is getting really hard to come by.
Yeah, we’re way off base.
You buy it.
Rex: Great comment!
The only value here is to someone who wants to swap a 4-speed into his Colonnade, assuming the transmission is rebuildable. Judging from the appearance of things, I’m guessing the engine isn’t. Not sure why the seller calls the drivetrain out as numbers-matching, without a title, it isn’t even good for an illegal VIN swap.
IF,IF,IF the transmission is useable and it may be, if the pedal assembly Z bar and associated parts aren’t rusted into pieces then they might be worth two grand if you didn’t have to drag the rest of the junk home. I personally would convert my 1975 Grand Prix into a manual given the chance.
nope just drag it to the muscle car junkyard… it would make a good conversation piece as you Rome around the yard…
I’m slowly warming to the Colonnades, but this rust bucket? Parts at best.
What tugs at me is, these ’73 GTOs are rare, especially with a 4 speed. I always thought they looked really nice when new. Its a shame to just scrap something as rare as this, but it looks like its just sadly too far gone. It was sidelined many years ago for some reason. But as Jack and others stated above IF and its a pretty big IF the pedal assy, trans, etc are salvageable you could convert another Colonade Pontiac into a 4 speed. I’m wondering what happened to the drivers side front suspension. The wheel is just leaning way in.
As a Pontiac person I hate to say this, but i think it’s time for this to be recycled. It already looks like it has been picked over, so I would even question if the rare parts are salvageable. Otherwise why did whomever parted this out leave them? Sometimes we have to admit the dream is over, and that a rare car isn’t always special it can also mean the opposite.
Agreed, it looks like all the GTO specific stuff has been removed. A shame, because it looked like at one time this would have been a good candidate for restoration. Still though, looks like the peddle assembly is still in it. That along with the bellhousing, flywheel, trans and linkage is worth the ask.
REBAR ready
It’ll buff out…
I’d take the drive train for my 57 GMC if it wasn’t trashed. If I dragged the mess home to get it, the alimony payments would start when my wife saw it…
I like Pontiacs and this one is a manual. Move on nothing much to see her. I think an extra zero is in the price!
pull the stick parts and the rear and go get $8.00 per hundred and scrap it
Is the $2000 for them to pay you to remove it?
It’s only original once, so I’d leave just like it is, and where it is.
Free is too much.
Back breaking and wallet breaking.
$500 parts car. Then find something cool to stuff it in. (After, upgrading the 400 to older specs!)
Just got my tetnus shot nah stick a fork in it, it’s done!
My Opening bid is….two bucks
I will write in again and say at least the floors are rusted so bad that the manual trans can be removed from the top or the bottom!
finaly an easy transmission removal . can i take an hour for lunch…
The motor and transmission are worth a few bucks but the rest is pure ole junk.
What would tend to make you think that the motor and transmission aren’t junk as well?