In the muscle car arena, the Pontiac GTO is perhaps the gold standard. It was the first mid-size performance car, though the Chrysler Letter Series may have gotten the ball rolling. Pontiac thought they would sell 5,000 copies in 1964, the car’s first year. But, instead, 32,405 were delivered on the way to 97,000 units two years later. The seller has a one-owner ’64 GOAT convertible that last ran about a decade ago. Located in Grove City, Ohio, this former mean machine is available here on eBay, where the current ante is $5,100.
Pontiac promoted the Tempest/LeMans compact to intermediate status in 1964. And the GTO soon became a hot option for 1964 and 1965 before migrating to series status in 1966. Buyers got a 389 cubic inch V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor and a set of bucket seats (of course). 6,644 customers went for the GTO drop-top in its first year, so at 20% of sales, they’re harder to find today in any condition.
This ragtop has only had one titled owner in the past 62 years. It spent the last 10 years in Florida before coming to Ohio. We’re told it’s an untouched original real-deal GOAT that should be an easy project. But is any restoration really easy? The undercarriage and floors are good, and we assume the sheet metal is original and solid. The indicated mileage is 85,000.
The interior doesn’t look bad, though the canvas top has vaporized, but all the hardware may be there. The word “conversion” appears in the title, and we don’t know what that means, but it must be important enough for the seller to include a pic of it. If you would like the seller to handle the restoration, he/she has the resources to get it done. And, if you win the auction, expect to add $150 to cover the seller’s auction costs (haven’t seen that in a while).
Ran when parked? Ten years ago? Sitting that long without the air cleaner, chances are the engine’s frozen now. It would be interesting to see what kind of work he would do if the buyer wanted him to restore it, or how much he’d charge. It wouldn’t be cheap, because I have the feeling the seller is. Pay the seller’s fee?
Ran when parked= Wheezed its way to the final resting place with grinding noises and a trail of various fluids and would not go another inch.
Quickie research:
In the context of the title shown in your image, “Conversion” refers to a specific type of title transaction in Ohio. The document in your photo is an Ohio Certificate of Title from Franklin County. On this specific form, the “Conversion” field is typically used to indicate the administrative conversion of an electronic title to a physical paper title.
No car shows well with flat tires. I don’t care what it is! A bit more presentation as a good project and this sought after car may sell easier and higher!!
That is true, the difference between this and most lackluster ads is the seller listed this with a $500 and no reserve. It seems like most lazy sellers put on a sky high reserve or price.
Steve R
He,ll restore the car for you? What,after he clean the seats?
if this seller is charging the buyer for his listing that tells me he is dirty pool and stay away. those famous words ran when parked. it just emanates a warm feeling that you drop a battery in and go. NOT! seller can’t even put tires that hold air on it to sell. unbelievable.
Who would do this to a first year GOAT?
bidding’s up to 8500, he’ll probably get at least 10k. My own totally uninformed guess is he wrote off what he paid for it long ago and regards every dollar he gets as gravy. This, if accurate, is a refreshing change from the pie in the sky prices others start with.
Probably $20,000, if not more. I’d actually be surprised if the auction runs to completion.
Steve R
I wouldn’t be surprised if an 80 k 389 that didnt spit its main bearings during battle would run even without the air cleaner off it if the hood was shut for all these years. A rebuilt but not started motor will seize long before a whipped dog high miles motor, all bets are off if the water gets in, An old Pontiac with rat turds on the quadrajet doesn’t mean the end. If it’s a one owner car then he has done well, it looks to have been garaged by the condition of the seats, those original seats haven’t seen sun or moisture. With a couple bottles of armor all we would all be singing like canaries about how well preserved the gut is. So I don’t think ( maybe I’m wrong I’m not right there) and I know that sun and rain and time blows out the black 68 seats, the 68 let’s go on seams without rain. So I think all the dash hasn’t seen rain either, all the pot metal on the dash is probably pretty good. As far as the 62 year convertible top vaporizing, it has a right to. Have you checked your own top lately? Ahaa it’s vaporizing too.
As far as the paint the car is all the same color it could be all original panels, a lot can happen in 62 years , I don’t think it’s a deceptive rattle can job by looking at the rust on the fenders.
I think the original owner has done a masterful job keeping it safe after all these years.
While I’m a 68 guy this is the first year, I too hope he gets his 20 k and hope it ends up in a good home.
I like this car, but not so much the ad and seller’s attitude. He wants to add “a few hundred” for mounting existing wheels/tires to get it rolling, and $150 for “auction expenses”? Give me a break! Also, no pictures of the undercarriage or cabin floors sounds like potential trouble to me.
This dealer is going to be a pain after the auction. I wouldn’t trust him for a long distance purchase.
Sold on 2/22/2026 for a high bid of $14,800, there were 51 bids from 14 bidders.
Steve R