It is a question that will undoubtedly plague enthusiasts until the end of time. To what stage must a classic car deteriorate before it is considered beyond salvation? The answer is often different, depending on the person you ask. I am not suggesting this 1968 Pontiac GTO is a lost cause, but the seller raises the specter of it serving as a donor. It has the typical accumulated rust for its new owner to tackle, but it is also a complete and unmolested classic with some significant redeeming features. You might reach the end of this article and conclude you could be the one to drag it back from the brink. If so, you will find the GTO listed here on eBay in Sanford, Maine. Bidding has raced beyond the reserve to $5,100, and there is still a chance for interested parties to join the auction action.
Pontiac introduced its Second Generation GTO in 1968, with the new model featuring a significant styling change that gave it a greater physical presence. This car is from that first production year, and its tale is a typical one of stalled projects and deceased former owners. The seller believes the original owner took this Alpine Blue classic out of service in the late 1970s, beginning to dismantle it for restoration. They suddenly and unexpectedly passed away, leaving the GTO to sit patiently for decades, waiting for someone to return it to its former glory. Time and the elements have taken their toll, and this Pontiac has its share of rust requiring attention. It has consumed the floors, trunk pan, rear quarter panels, lower front fenders, and areas around the back window. However, there is worse to come. The front frame rails have small holes, but a 2-foot section is completely gone from the driver’s side rear rail. A nut-and-bolt approach would seem the most obvious, but it is worrying that the seller raises the concept of this GTO serving as a donor for another build. Only an in-person inspection will reveal the truth, but anyone considering the idea of restoration must be aware that it is a significant undertaking that will consume considerable cash. On the plus side, the rockers are solid, the doors look good, the glass is crack-free, and most trim pieces look restorable.
It is easy to see why the GTO is considered the stereotypical muscle car. This engine bay houses a numbers-matching 400ci V8 that produced 360hp and 445 ft/lbs of torque in its prime. The remaining original drivetrain components include a three-speed manual transmission and power steering. With only 3,675 lbs to shift, it is easy to see why this classic would have scorched through the ¼-mile in 14.3 seconds. That’s the good news, but you’re not getting off that easily! It appears this classic hasn’t fired a shot since the 1970s, and expecting it to roar back to life with little effort probably wasn’t realistic. The seller dropped in a new battery, and the engine turned slightly and then stopped. Budgeting for a rebuild would be wise because there is evidence that water may have found its way into that glorious V8. It requires other work, with the clutch disc welded to the flywheel and the brakes inoperative. However, none of these issues are more severe than those seen on other classics featured at Barn Finds.
You’ve probably been patiently waiting for positive news, so I guess it is time I supplied some. This GTO’s interior, trimmed in Black vinyl, isn’t perfect. However, its condition is far better than many might expect. The dash and faux woodgrain are tidy, the pad is perfect, most hard trim items are okay, and features like the factory AM radio are intact. Issues include the loss of the console and carpet and the door trims being damaged beyond repair. It sounds like a case of equal amounts of positive and negative news, but the bones are there to return the interior to its former glory by spending around $2,000 on a trim kit.
Okay, it’s time for you to pass judgment on this 1968 Pontiac GTO and decide whether it is a project or parts candidate. It will undoubtedly require deep commitment and a healthy budget to recapture its glory days, and I understand why some might place it in the “too-hard” basket. Others may look at its numbers-matching status, complete nature, and lack of modifications and consider it a worthy restoration candidate. Instincts tell me that only an in-person inspection will reveal the truth. Are you tempted to take the plunge and negotiate one with the seller? Could you let us know the results if you do?
This looks like a boring gto to me, the color and those stupid wheel covers
A poor man’s GTO. It’d be easy to get this on the road for a song. It need not be expensive. Frame work for sure. Everything else a lot of time and patience. This car should never be a donor. That’s what Tempests are for. Do a compression check and get started. I’ve had 5 ’68 GTO’s in the course of my lifetime and none were less than 14 years old. One I bought for $10-. All needed work. Good luck to happy next owner
It can be saved. All you need is another car.
Real nice pedals and seats,
Just throw 2 grand in the air. The interior will come “back to it’s former glory.” Ask the writer.
At $5,100 current bid, it won’t be a “parts” car. Then it’s a 4 speed, that adds thousands to the value. Since virtually every body panel is available new, and even frames are out there, this car will be restored.
Not a 4 speed, it’s a 3 speed. Might make it even more valuable since you don’t see to many GTOs with the 3.
Boring wheel covers??? I think not. Dog dish hubcaps are hard to find. Plenty of Rally II rims to be found everywhere. I like em. When you want original, things like this are hard to find.
I couldnt agree more with GTO adam. Every GTO produced did NOT have Rally wheels. Just like EVERY Bonneville, Catalina, 2+2,and Grand Prix did not have the beautiful 8 lug wheels. But it almost seems that way today. Id keep the hubcaps. It makes it more unique. This Goat will make a nice restoration project. It looks like it has good bones and the 4 speed is a huge plus for me.
Exactly, what’s wrong with wheel covers? I leave those on that car since they are the originals. Wheel covers were works of art, in fact the big three had entire design departments devoted to them at one time. I still have a Challenger convertible that still wears its basic wheel covers, as does my 69 sports roof Mustang. I like this car and it is basically an intact original.
Find one of the cheap solid 68 LeMans or Tempest 2drs out there, doesn’t even have to be a manual trans car, and build your GTO, save many thousands, nobody will know unless you sell, til then it’s your little secret
I understand what some of the guys are saying here, but I owned a 68 GTO. I think that you should sell the hub caps and then part it out. You say there is a section of the frame missing. $2,000 or more for an interior kit. And that is just the beginning. Save yourself from a migraine that for sure will be coming your way. Sell what is salvageable and get a project that is doable. Unless you are a billionaire and don’t have anything else to spend your money on.
Are those Correct bucket seats?
yes they are….
You don’t have to be a billionaire to build this, just a class A fitter and welder with mechanical knowledge. She’s buildable. I’m currently building a 1970 C20 Chevy Stepside pickup. If I had the extra dollars I would grab this up as fast as a Maine CoonCat second. I do think Rick B. has a good idea.
I’m like my dad was , I love all the old Pontiacs, but this one unless you just got to have a 68 GTO. I’m like the guy that says part her out.. because the money you would be putting in ,, you’ll never get back
I would build it. Gotta take it off the frame anyway to fix the floor correctly, plenty of parts are available. If it were a car that is hard to find a frame for it would be a different story. Although knowing me I would still build it, just as a pro touring car with a custom frame
Tony, I think you are right in what you said about this goat. But how many people in your neighborhood are a class A fitter and experienced welder with lots of mechanical knowledge. A lot of people might think they are but don’t have the true knowledge or the tools to do it. If the frame was solid and floor was ok, I think I would bid on it. But it is going to take a lot of cash to get it to drive able state. I wish the buyer good luck in his endeavors.
If you can do this yourself, chassis’s are easy to find. The local u-pull-a-part has a 69 Skylark right now that is the same chassis. Buy a frame, do it. Then weld the car up while it is on the crap frame. Then switch it. There are still hundreds of frames to be had in rustfreeville. I still have a 70 convertible chassis I saved from a parts help years back. This is a great candidate for a DIY person with a bit of savvy. The bidding reflects that.
Too far gone to get back on the road without a ton of money? Search “Holey Goat” on YouTube…..
Are those Correct bucket seats?
I’ve had two 68 GTO’s with 4 speeds. The first was when I was in high school in 1975. Lucky I’m still alive. With headers and an open air filter, that car felt like the front wheels were leaving the ground when I stomped on it. Sure miss both those cars. The seats in this one look the same as the seats that were in both of mine.
Well I’m the guy who bought this GTO back in November. The plan is to restore the car. Just for those who are curious it was a one owner car with paperwork all the way back to the original sales order. It is in worse shape than the pictures show. The main reason I’m restoring the car is I’ve been building various 68-72 GM a-body cars since the eighties and all the left over and spare parts are going to this build. I figured it was one way to clean out my garage.