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Tarp Find: 1968 Pontiac GTO Convertible

By the late 1960s, the muscle car market was in full swing and the Pontiac GTO was still leading the pack. Second generation GTO’s would debut for 1968 and had a “Coke bottle” shape compared to earlier models. They would continue as a series of their own until 1972 when the GTO reverted to option status on the LeMans. This ’68 convertible is likely in somewhat rare company today given that less than 10,000 GOAT droptops were built that year. Located in Brainerd, Minnesota, this former Oklahoma car is available here on eBay where the bidding has reached $10,100, but the reserve has not.

This GTO convertible was a well-optioned car in its day. Besides the standard 400 cubic inch V8, this one is paired with an automatic transmission which makes it one of 5,091 built for 1968. It came with factory air conditioning, cruise control, power rear antenna, hood mounted tachometer (which has been removed and packed in a box), and hideaway headlights (we don’t know if that function works anymore). The odometer reading is said to be 54,000, but the motor has been torn apart, so something mechanical must have gone haywire way back when.

From the photos provided, this GTO looks to have been stored outdoors and under a tarp back in Edmond, Oklahoma (according to the dealer placard). We’re told the body is solid, but there must be rust somewhere once you start looking. We’re told the paint is original and my guess is Meridian Turquoise. Considering that it was applied 53 years ago, you might get by leaving the paint alone until later. The car has a white vinyl interior with a matching top, where the canvas may be okay, but the plastic rear window is shot. The interior may clean up, but the carpeting at a minimum will have to be replaced.

This Pontiac wears a set of aftermarket wheels which may have survived nicely. Hopefully, the engine is complete, can be rebuilt, and the car made right mechanically before proceeding with cosmetic corrections. Several 1968-69 GTO convertibles available online are going for $60,000 and up in nice condition or better. This car’s seller has placed a BIN price of $20,000 on it, so the reserve can’t be much below that. Can this muscle car be properly restored for under 40 grand?

Comments

  1. Avatar Steve Bush Member

    I think the current bid of about $10k is close to its actual value. Maybe $12k. BIN of $20k is way too high. A quick check online found a very nice 1968 with a 4speed and buckets/console for $45k on Autotrader.

    Like 11
  2. Avatar Bob Mck

    So sad to see a phenomenal car like this in its current condition. I wish I had the funds to fix it.

    Like 3
  3. Avatar 370zpp Member

    Somebody ordered a very well equipped Goat back in the day.

    Like 2
  4. Avatar Johnmloghry

    If I could I would and probably should, but alas! I won’t due to age and circumstances. She deserves to be loved, caressed and held tenderly in the hands of a great lover of these machines.
    God bless America

    Like 3
  5. Avatar 1-MAC

    How could anybody be stupid enough to leave any GTO outside.
    No matter what the reason? Then they always say it is worth a bunch of money. If that is true it deserved proper storage. Still doesn’t look too bad.

    Like 0
  6. Avatar Frank

    I had a 68 Goat which i remember well. Where is the console on this one? What’s with the bench seat? I don’t recall these cars coming with that.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Barry G Russell

    I owned a 1970. Power bench seat column automatic.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Bmac777

    I bought one that looked just like this with the same bench seat.
    The frame was rotted but had a great running RA 3 400 and th 400, that I put in my 69 Firebird.
    The funny thing happened to it.
    After I pulled the drivetrain we had to push it into the street while we moved some vehicles around.
    I hadn’t registered it and it had no plates so a cop stopped and started bustin my b***s about it and said next time he came by it would be towed.
    Immediately we emptied all the junk out of the garage and stuffed it all in the car and went to the bar.
    when I got back it was gone, saved me about $150 in junk removal

    Like 2

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