The term iconic is overused in the classic world, but there are few better than that to describe the Pontiac GTO. Considered the father of the muscle car sector, they are more popular today than when new. This 1968 example needs restoration but is a rock-solid vehicle featuring a freshly rebuilt 400ci V8. It has generated significant interest since the seller listed the GTO here on eBay in Conway, South Carolina. The seller set their BIN at $24,000 with the option to make an offer.
There were big changes in store when Pontiac unveiled its Second Generation GTO for the 1968 model year. The car underwent a dramatic restyle, providing a more curvaceous appearance and a greater sense of presence. This first-year example is a restoration project that appears to have stalled early, needing a new owner to complete the job. There are few traces of its original Flambeau Burgundy paint, with evidence that someone performed a color change at some point. The seller is honest in their assessment, stating that this GTO won’t suit a buyer who can’t wield their spanners confidently. However, one of its key features is the lack of significant rust. I’m sure there are a few areas demanding attention, but critical areas like the floors, trunk pan, and rails, are rock-solid. The trim and glass look acceptable for a driver-grade build, while the NOS Rally II wheels look flawless.
The cosmetic needs of this GTO extend to its interior, although it is far from a lost cause. Deep cleaning everything may produce positive results, limiting the items requiring replacement. The back seat is incorrect and will need a new cover. There is no carpet, and the lid is missing from the console. Throw in new faux woodgrain and some minor parts, and this interior should look pretty nice. It won’t win many show trophies, but it would still be presentable and serviceable. Those seeking perfection could always splash around $2,000 on a complete retrim. It all depends on their ultimate vision for this classic.
Okay, let’s get the worst piece of news out of the way because the seller confirms that this GTO is no longer numbers-matching. However, it isn’t all gloom and doom. The 400ci V8 gracing the engine bay is date correct and has clocked no miles since undergoing a complete and documented rebuild. The seller claims that it should generate 360hp, which will feed to the 10-bolt 3.23 rear end via a four-speed M20 manual transmission. The winning bidder faces the rewarding task of breaking in that V8. Once done, this GTO should comfortably return a ¼-mile ET of around 14.3 seconds. That figure makes it easy to understand why the GTO is held in such high regard, and why they invariably generate significant interest when they hit the market.
The BIN status of the listing for this 1968 Pontiac GTO means there is no bidding action, but with almost 350 views during the past day and 122 potential buyers adding it to their Watch List, there is no denying that this classic has generated interest. The seller’s honest assessment of its needs, the lack of significant rust, and the rebuilt engine are all factors working in its favor. Is this a project that you might consider pursuing further, or would you prefer a turnkey example?
Didn’t the front vent windows go away after the last year, 1967? This one has them so is it a 67 or is my memory wrong??
Oops, just checked and the 68 DID have vent windows. Memory slipped a gear (again).
67 was a square body Jim,remember?
Some cars lost their vent windows starting in 68, some models didn’t. F bodies did.
Seems odd to me that a GTO would come with a 10 bolt.
The first GTO with a 12 bolt Chevy rear was the 1970 455. Buicks and Pontiacs shared the same bolt rear. Oldsmobile’s of that era had a 12 bolt rear… sort of. 12 bolts holding the cover on, but 10 bolts securing the ring gear. It is not the Chevrolet style 12 bolt rear.
“shared the same 10 bolt rear”
The 12 bolt Chevy rear also came in all 455 equipped 70-72 A-body Pontiacs including Grand Prix’s. We pulled several 12 bolts out of 70-72 SJ Grand Prix’s when they were cycling through the Pick N Pull yards.
Steve R
The price might be just a bit high, but there’s a lot to like here. Mostly paint and some interior work. Even if you spent an additional $15k, you wouldn’t be too far underwater.
I bought one of these in similar condition sight unseen for $400 in 1993. Borrowed a friend’s flatbed and brought it home. It had some valve noise, and seemed like more work than I had time for at the moment, so I let it go to a Pontiac tech friend of mine for the same $400. What was I thinking?
Then again, my daily driver at the time was a supposedly non running 71 Cougar that a coworker gave me, because he was moving and didn’t want to deal with it. I pulled and cleaned the plugs, put ten gallons of fresh gas and a battery in, and drove it out of his garage. He probably also had a what was I thinking moment.