The Pontiac GTO, 46 years after the original incarnation ceased production, is still a pretty commonly found car. And desirable? You bet! Depending on the year and how it’s equipped they are an appreciated collector car draw in terms of value. There are so many that crop up for sale, I frequently gloss over them and keep moving but every now and then, once catches my attention for various and sundry reasons(s). And here is just such an example, a ’69 Pontiac GTO, located in Dearborn Heights, Michigan and available here on Facebook Marketplace for $13,000.
What’s so special about this example? We’ll get to that but let’s take a gander at it first. Right off, other than the honeycomb wheels, it looks like an original, non-modified, 80K mile example. In typical “A-body” form, the lower fenders are rusted through, not at all unusual, especially if this is a life-long Michigan car. The fenders are showing a bit of a parking-by-feel scenario with a few dents, none serious, but they will acquire attention. The code “61” Expresso Brown finish is showing 50+ years of wear, again to be expected. Unfortunately, regardless of the finish condition, Expresso Brown probably doesn’t represent a GTO to its fullest visual grandness. No hide-away headlights here and non really needed, this vintage GOAT looks great with or without them. The biggest unknown, getting back to the rust, is the condition of the underside. As the seller is silent regarding that matter; I’d want some more information or perhaps an image or two. The seller rates this Pontiac’s condition as “Fair” and I’d say that’s a fair assessment.
Under the hood is the standard 400 CI V8 Pontiac motivation, providing 350 gross HP. What the seller does not state is if the engine starts and/or runs, though it seems as if he is saying that the motor does turn over. Getting that clarified should probably be question number one. Pontiac engines are tough as nails so if this one has been maintained properly it should have some life left in it in spite of its accumulated 80K miles. Of note, Pontiac offered a low-compression 265 HP 400 CI engine in ’68, available only with an automatic transmission. If memory serves me right, and I have only encountered one of those in all of these years of looking, those low HP engines can be outwardly identified by a single snorkel air cleaner, not a dual equipped unit like this example possesses. I would ask any readers who are Pontiac knowledgeable to comment on that matter. Options include A/C and a Turbo-Hydramatic 400, three-speed automatic transmission. The listing also mentions 4-wheel ABS but I’ll say “I don’t think so” to that option.
Here’s where things get interesting. The interior, which the listing denotes as green, it looks saddle tan to my eyes, belies the overall condition of the car – it is much better than the exterior. The listing also claims that the green interior is comprised of leather upholstery but I would go with vinyl as that’s how the GTO rolled in ’69. The upholstery fabric, dash, carpet and rear seat all look surprisingly robust, especially compared to some similar mileage/age examples that I have reviewed recently. But here’s what caught my attention, bucket seats, but no center console! It’s a column shift equipped car. Now I knew this was a possible combination to build but I have never seen a GTO equipped in this manner. OK, so it’s not a Ram Air IV convertible with some impossible combination of “drive the price really high” options but it is still unusual, and I would imagine, rare. Probably not enough of a rarity to enhance this GTO’s value in any significant way but rare enough to make it a conversation piece and a reminder of how cars could be ordered and assembled in what is now the fairly distant past.
The seller advises that this Pontiac is a 25-year stored barn find. The originality of it, other than the wheels, is frequently not found on a GTO. They seem to occupy either end of a spectrum composed of perfectly restored, high dollar trailer queens on one end or a badly modified, “What the h— happened to it?” examples on the other. I think this GTO, assuming it checks out visually, would be a great start for a nice, solid ’60s driver quality muscle car, how about you?
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