We all dream of locating a desirable one-owner classic that is unmolested, and that’s what the seller of this 1969 Pontiac GTO found while attending an estate sale around two years ago. They became the car’s second owner, revived it after years of inactivity, and returned it to a roadworthy state. They intended to perform a restoration but changed circumstances mean it needs to find a new home. You will find the GTO listed for sale here on eBay in Escalon, California. Bidding has raced to $20,800, although this remains short of the reserve.
When the seller located this GTO, it had sat in storage since 1985. Dragging it into the light of day revealed a car wearing its original Crystal Turquoise paint with a contrasting White vinyl top. The paint still shines impressively, although it isn’t perfect. The new owner may choose to live with the paint flaws, but there is some panel damage they may wish to address. There are two spots requiring attention. One is on the driver’s side front fender, with a more significant dent visible on the passenger side rear quarter panel. A shop could repair both areas without resorting to panel replacement, but they would need to work carefully to ensure a perfect color match if the buyer does not plan a restoration. The seller states that there are a couple of minor but repairable rust areas under the front fenders and rear quarters, and while the photo quality is poor, the vinyl top looks okay. The chrome and trim are acceptable for a survivor-grade classic, and I can’t spot any problems with the tinted glass.
I always scratch my head when a seller lists a car as desirable and potentially valuable as this GTO but lets themselves down with low-quality photos. That is the case with this listing, although we can piece together generally positive news about its interior. The original owner ordered the car trimmed in white vinyl, which still looks remarkably good. There is no evidence of physical damage, abuse, or discoloring. The dash and pad are excellent, while an aftermarket radio/cassette player occupies the spot normally reserved for the factory radio. The original owner specified air conditioning, and while the system is complete, it is inoperative. The interior appears to have no immediate needs, making one part of the listing intriguing. The seller indicates they have accumulated an extensive collection of new parts as they originally intended to restore this gem. It includes interior items, but it is unclear what the complete collection comprises. The parts cost the seller $10,000, but they are throwing in the lot as part of the sale. If the next owner sees a restoration in this GTO’s future, that should provide an ideal starting point.
Lifting the hood reveals the GTO’s 400ci V8 that produces 350hp. The car also features a three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. The ability to produce a ¼-mile ET of 14.3 seconds leaves little doubt that this Pontiac is a genuine muscle car. For potential buyers, there’s plenty of good news with this gem. The seller confirmed that it is a full numbers-matching survivor. After decades of inactivity, they employed a professional to revive the car correctly. The brakes were overhauled with a new master cylinder and other components. They rebuilt the original carburetor before replacing all belts, hoses, the alternator, and the water pump. The seller indicates the car runs and drives perfectly, with no smoke or odd noises. However, the positive vibes don’t end there. The GTO has a genuine 33,845 miles showing on its odometer, and it appears the seller holds verifying evidence. The original owner was meticulous with this beauty, retaining all of the original dealer documentation, Window Sticker, Protect-O-Plate, Owner’s Manual, and complete maintenance records. You will struggle to find a better documented GTO of this vintage, adding to its appeal and potential value.
Many enthusiasts consider Pontiac’s GTO as the father of the muscle car, and examples from the 1960s can command extraordinary prices. In 1969, the company built 72,287 GTOs, which are more desirable today than when they rolled off the production line. My approach with this classic would be simple if it weren’t for the panel damage. I wouldn’t consider a restoration but would work to preserve this Pontiac as an original survivor. The panel damage throws us a curve ball, but I may still be inclined to address that while leaving the rest of the car untouched. Do you agree, or would you use the included new parts to return it to its former glory?
Not even a clear shot of the hideaway lights which is the best part of the design… Btw, I think the 1/4 mile is closer to 15 on the standard GTO. Low 14’s would be for the Ram Air IV
Hideaway headlights were an option. This GTO probably doesn’t have them buy the number of pictures taken with no full frontend shot. In one pic you can barely see part of the vertical framing around the right headlight.
More like mid 15’s!
My friend’s day bought a new 69 like this and it was a fast car which would run mid 14s all day long, sure it wasn’t a 13 second car but it had all the creature confort you would want ac power steering and power brakes, really a great car.
Interesting to see a ’68 GTO with the auto. on the column. Guess whoever ordered it needed or desired a bench seat. Could you get an auto. on the column with bucket seats? I’m guessing you could back in the day.
Ahh I remember back in early 80’s my friends grandfather had one green on green 400, auto and posi rear he hit a curb and pushed the rear end over to the driver side.mind you it was the actual rear end not the body .it was pristine. the insurance totaled the car . car sat for three years and he basically gave it away. at the time i was able to drive and i went to make offer and it was gone… ahhh slipped by me.
anyway. I like the goats 1966-1971
this looks like a straightforward resto looks clean
Oh I forgot to mention. The new so called muscle cars of today cant compared to old school. yes you have better suspension tires electronics etc. But 60 and 70 muscle is a drivers car thats the difference they were fun to drive when you pop the clutch and feel the whole car twist through your shifts and pulling you down the road that
is the feeling you wont get out of a new car.the guys on here know what im saying .you cant replace that feeling..
Absolutely and they don’t have the same sound… the new ones are just LOUD.
My dad bought a 66 GTO new, tripower four speed, burgundy/burgundy interior. Beautiful car. I like how everyone thinks the Goat was the first muscle car when in reality the Max Wedge Dodge and Plymouth cars best them by two years. Actually, I believe, imo, the first true muscle cars were the 50’s Chrysler 300’s.
Actually it was the 49 Oldsmobile with OHV v8 and thee race was on.
This GTO is about the most unappealing one that I’ve seen. The color, white vinyl top and column shift…who’s grandmother bought this new?
no floor shifter ill will pass
My first 68 gto had a bench seat with a column shift. That was 45 years ago. Many bench seats got changed to buckets the by new owners. I always liked a bench seat.They are more rare today. Funny thing is I have a spare perfect 68 gto bench seat stored in my garage for 30 years with no car for it. My driver 68 gto has bucket seats and floor shift. The buckets in it need replacing.
This car is a good deal. Fix the rust and drive it dents and all.Having fun is the name of the game and be not be a trailer queen. Thanks, Karl K.
Nice looking car but I believe it’s 133k miles based off the body and under hood condition over $25k bid and still hasn’t hit the resurve personally I think $25 k is what it’s worth in that condition
OK. I owned a 70 GTO bought new in California in Dec 1969. It was ordered with TH 400 and buckets. No console. Console was optional. My 70 had a column shift. This car was likely owned new by a woman. My 7th grade teacher owned a new, loaded 68 hardtop in Espresso Brown with factory wire wheel covers. I also owned a 69 four speed GTO in Limelight Green. Buckets console hideaways.
With the single snorkel air cleaner with a black lid instead of chrome, bench seat and column shifter, are you sure that is not a 2 barrel carburetor? If it is all original, than it’s not a 350HP engine.
Adam always writes that the car was special ordered , but this may very well have been an off the lot sale. It was easier to sell a car with a bench seat , and as the car would be cheaper to sell , it was more likely you’d get a buyer . Many muscle cars had bench seats and column shifts ; it was cheaper, and also lighter, and lighter is faster .