The Pontiac GTO was in its sixth year of production in 1969, it’s fourth as a series of its own, and in year two of its second generation. The car was still quite popular, though sales were off a bit from the 1968 record (72,000 vs. 87,000 copies). This ’69 “GOAT” has the Ram-Air III package which was installed in only 11% of those built that year. This is a numbers-matching automobile, but the engine is out of the car for a rebuild and the body needs work. Located in St. Louis, Missouri, this Pontiac is available here on craigslist for $23,000. Thanks, T.J., for the tip!
John DeLorean, the co-creator of the LeMans-based Pontiac GTO, came up with the car’s name. It was inspired by the iconic Ferrari 250 GTO, which was an Italian abbreviation for Gran Turismo Omologato (“grand tourer homologated”). That means a car that was officially certified by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (or FIA) for racing in the grand tourer class in Europe as a true production machine, at least 100 having been made. To street racers in the U.S. who were nearly obsessed with the cars for a time, the letters usually stood for “gas, tires, and oil”!
Ram-Air was an option on the GTO that provided air induction to the engine via hood scoops and a special breather element. For 1969, Pontiac offered Ram-Air III and IV, producing 365 and 370 hp respectively, and they mainly differed by the carburetor used, a 4-barrel Carter vs. a Rochester. In the 2-door hardtop body style with a 400 cubic inch V8 and an automatic transmission, Ram-Air III build numbers were only 1,986 units in 1969.
The seller describes this car as being in “excellent” condition, but he/she is no doubt excluding the rust that covers where a vinyl top once resided. The rear window is out and some work has already been done to correct any issues that may have been caused by corrosion getting up under the vinyl. The biggest selling point is that the Pontiac retains its original engine and transmission, but they have been pulled out for a rebuild that has already begun. We hope that all the parts are nearby to put it back together again.
Though in Missouri now, we’re told this GTO spent its life in Arizona. This car has the hide-away headlights that the seller says work, but one side seems to be missing. There is no reference to mileage other than a placeholder figure, but that doesn’t matter at this point as a full restoration will be in order. Rare to craigslist ads, the seller provides a link to a video of the car and will not entertain any trades.
Excellent??:-)
With all of the work needed I say $1200 tops. Hopefully less due to all of the expense needed to get it looking and driving decent. Sorry
Numbers matching, body’s not all rotted to poo, interior looks to be intact and not chewed up, paper trail…this looks “tattered around the edges” but it seems like a pretty good deal with a solid foundation
A little more than a carburetor difference between a III and IV…
Lol just a few! Heads, intake, exhaust and maybe a 4 bolt block for journals.
No kidding! They both used Rochester quadrajets, differences being round port heads, much more aggressive cam, different manifolds, etc. There was much more than a 4hp difference as well.
Ya gotta love the Barnfinds writers!
I’ve owned two convertibles. Not Ram air cars. They are fun. 23k? How much to make it right? I’m underinvested into an 2009 Aero Viper. I’m better off I feel than something like this.
I agree. $23,000? A lot of money with how much yet to invest?
Little GTO, your really looking fine. Three deuces and a 4sp, and a 389. Oh wait, wrong car. Who cares? Great song, great car, and I have all sorts of time to dream. Keeps me sane’. Keep’um coming boys.
’68 wasn’t the record year for production, that goes to 1966 with just under 97,000 built.
Has the rare Pirate One Eye option..
or is that a wink?
$23 ,000 for this junk. I sold one in 1978. ALOT BETTER SHAPE AND THE MAN DROVE IT HOME. He or anyone would have to show me what is worth $23.000 hear. Maybe $1.500 and the rest would have to be shown.
Johnny, the answer is in your remark. Nothing can be bought today for what it sold for in 78. Sure wish I could buy back some of the cars I sold in the 70’s and 80’s! This will make a great car to restore, but it will be expensive.
I paid $1250.00 for a 68 Ram Air 2 ragtop in 1972 sold it for 15k in 1982 . Car is now worth who knows what.