This 1968 Pontiac GTO, and its follow-on ’69 successor, are probably my favorites. The feature that always stood out was the GTO’s identity. They were similar to a Chevelle SS396 or an Oldsmobile 442 but they weren’t – they were a Pontiac GTO! The seller’s story is long, but I’ll save you the time and boil it down. It’s a bit shaky looking and sounds like it’s not quite ready to run but let’s be objective and look it over. Residing in Witchita, Kansas, this old goat is available, here on eBay for a current no-reserve bid of $14,100 with fifteen bids tendered so far.
Purchased in 1995, the engine was pulled and rebuilt in ’97 and in 1998 the exterior was repainted, changing color from Pontiac’s iconic Verdoro Green to whatever shade of blue this is. The seller states, “The car does have some rust on it. The majority is the rear deck lid underneath the back window, as well as the trunk of the car“. The finish is dull, rust is quite obvious around the rear window, in the lower passenger side fender, and in the trunk pan too. The seller mentions that the lights work but it appears that the headlight doors are stuck open. The Rally II wheels, a Pontiac stand-by, appear to be finished in the same hue as the car – a matter of preference I suppose.
Back to the engine, it’s a standard 350 gross HP, 400 CI V8 and as previously stated, it was rebuilt in ’97 but then underwent an upgrade about ten years ago. Specifically, the seller states, “I installed a new Crane cam with bigger lift, new Crower Valve springs, new headers, new spark plugs, new Taylor plug wires, new air filter, new aluminum radiator, new battery tray, new battery cables, new Magnaflow dual exhaust and tips, new grounding straps, new fuel pump, new 4 wheel disc brake kit, new transmission cooler lines, new Sunco temperature, tach & oil pressure gauges, and many other parts. Finally, in 2013, I was ready to fire up the car with all of its new parts. And soon realized I made a mistake. I didn’t clean out the gas tank. The car ran for about 5-10 seconds and crud/bad gas was in the carb.” So no, it doesn’t run and it will probably take a whole lot of scrubbin’ to get the bad fuel gum removed after so many years of just sitting around. Additionally, the seller states, “The transmission I thought was original is a Turbo 400 Hyrdramatic (sic), but out of a 1970 Pontiac Grand Prix. It comes with the car. The transmission currently in the car and what I’ve always had in it is a Chevy turbo 400“. That statement has me scratching my head as a T-400 for a Chevy has a completely different bolt pattern than one that attaches to a Pontiac, Olds, or Buick engine.
The interior is worn, and as tough as Pontiac’s Morrokide vinyl material is, the seats are going to need some help, as will the dashpad for that matter – electrical tap only goes so far when it comes to effecting a repair. The carpet and door panels look OK but the armrests and console lid are going to need to be recovered or replaced. Mentioned in the listing is the inclusion of a new headliner and, “all the spare parts, nuts and bolts I can find“.
So, this GTO needs body, paint, and interior work, while the gummed-up engine has been sitting for ten or twelve years with a cam that still isn’t broken in. This Tin Indian is being sold on a no-reserve bid and there is, obviously, a documented backstory to it (try getting through the listing…), which is usually helpful. But, is it worth taking a chance knowing what is known about its past and current condition? Well, six bidders think so but I’m on the fence on that one, how about you?
some of Those Transmissions came with corporate bolt patterns work with Chevys or olds or Pontiac or Buick
Some more recent models perhaps, but I’ve never encountered a 400 (’64-’90) so machined.
JO
I think you are correct on the Turbo 400 never having the universal bolt pattern. I know they are available on the Turbo 350 and the 200 4r overdrive tranny, but don’t believe they were available elsewhere. That being said, it is possible that an adaptor plate was used to mount the Chevy transmission to the Pontiac engine.
If I had the money ,I’d be bidding on it. I had a original 69 Judge in the 80s and wish to this day I never sold it. This could easily be restored, repainted the Original Color, the Headlight covers are probably like most hideaway headlight doors are run by Vacumn, which the lines can be traced and the pressure switch rebuilt or replaced. All in all, the buyer will have lots of fun, with the Restoration, and a whole lot more once it’s done and that first drive, in this Legandary Monster.
Love your vision and wisdom….this is definitely a goal that needs TLC and plenty of time knowledge and beer to put back to its tiger in the tank mentality…..If I had the trunk full of cash and jendigit motors phone number in Vegas….it would be a dream come true.
You are correct about the Chevy and Pontiac bellhousing bolt pattern differences Its been many years but I vaguely remember seeing transmissions with dual bolt patterns .
I’m pretty sure it’s just not a dream I had they did exist ? Can anyone confirm this so I can rest easy t knowing that I’m not losing it.
Not a bad project car if you’re looking for a considerable amount of labor that hopefully you can do yourself. It would have to be cheap to purchase initially.
I know a 200R-4 has a dual bolt pattern (Chev & BOP), but I’m quite certain that’s not the case with a Turbo-Hydramatic 400. Perhaps there is an adaptor plate available for this specific conversion.
This is one of the reasons that a Chevy T-400 is usually more expensive in the used marketplace than the B-O-P variety. The Chevy versions were made in fewer numbers compared to the huge volume for combined B-O-P (and Cadillac).
JO
Bad gas ⛽️ strikes again 😒
I had bad gas once. It really stinks.
It’s a shame, all that work…
The “universal” cases came standard in Monte Carlos. I have no idea why, and of course could be purchased in Parts Dept. I never saw a “universal” 400, However the two bolts on each side above and below the alignment pins are the same on either case. If you are OK with just four bolts it is possible, if not wise, to bolt to any engine. When TH350 changed from thrust washers to bearings it was common to replace bad cases with “Monte Carlo” cases.
Reminds me of my ’68…bought while in Army from a fellow soldier heading to Germany. Transmission in trunk, 4 flats…motor blew up 2nd time I drove it…all this for $450…in 1974…
Just buy my all numbers with original paperwork, Meridian Turquoise, rust free, nice interior, running and driving 68 GTO for $22k and save yourself a bunch of expensive and time consuming work. She isn’t perfect, but a solid honest driver that gets looks and waves for days. Interested to see what this goes for. Currently at $15.6k with over 2 days left.
Where is it listed?
This column states that it is a “No reserve” auction??, but the sellers listing…as described states “if the reserve is not met” they will relist it. Anyway…it is a very informative listing..nice project to boot.
68-69 Goats are my favorites. A guy in high school with me had a new 1968 GTO with chrome front bumper and a standard 3 speed manual tranny. Only one I’ve ever seen in the flesh.
I special-ordered and bought a new ‘68 GTO with a 3-speed manual tranny in order to have enough $ to also have factory A/C. Never regretted it. Wish I still had it.