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Unfinished Project: 1967 Pontiac GTO Hardtop

When it comes to the subject of unfinished projects, there seems to be a fairly even split amongst our Barn Finds readers. Some of you are keen to take them on and see the project through to completion, while some of you want to run a mile in the opposite direction. Barn Finder Ikey H spotted this unfinished Pontiac GTO project car, so thank you for that Ikey. The Pontiac is located in Harvard, Illinois, and is listed for sale here on Craigslist. The owner has set the sale price for the GTO at $13,500.

The owner of the GTO purchased it in 1991, and it has been an ongoing project ever since. He says that the body was removed from the frame, the frame was blasted, and it was then refinished in POR15. He also says that while the body has been professionally repainted, the trunk floor does require replacement. He hints that there is a story behind this fact, and I’m intrigued to know what it is. He also says that the car is largely complete, although there are a few minor trim items and seals which will need to be sourced. All of the glass is present, except for the windshield, so that’s one to be added to the shopping list.

Under the hood is a rebuilt 400ci V8, which is backed by a Muncie 4-speed transmission. The engine hasn’t been fired up since the rebuild, but the owner does put some lubricant into the cylinders on a regular basis and wind it over with a breaker bar, so it sounds like it could be good to go. It has been fitted with a Ram Air IV camshaft, and a set of factory headers, so once it is up and running, it should offer some pretty healthy performance. As part of the rebuild process, there have been a lot of components that have been replaced as time has gone on. This includes items such as all of the suspension bushings, the tie-rod ends, and the ball joints. It also looks like there might be a new brake master cylinder and booster fitted to the GTO.

There aren’t any shots of the interior of the car, but it does look like a new headliner has been fitted. The owner also has new parchment colored door panels and seat covers for the car. We do know that the car was fitted with bucket seats and that the car has been fully documented by PHS. When I look at this car overall, there is only one thing that raises any questions with me. The photos that the owner uses are all about 9-years-old, and I would be a lot happier if these were newer. Still, judging by the listing, he does seem to be an approachable owner, so he may be willing to supply some newer photos for prospective buyers.

On the face of it, this Pontiac GTO project doesn’t look like a bad one, and if some newer photos confirm that it is still good, then it is possible that someone might finish up with a pretty nice car. I know that some of you will be turned off by the prospect of completing a project like this simply because you can only discover what small parts are missing when you start to reassemble the car, and this can be a source of frustration. For some of you though, that just adds to the challenge of getting the project complete and gives you a well-earned sense of achievement once it is done.

Comments

  1. Avatar NotSure

    Great lines on this model! I have fond memories of my brothers ‘66 Pontiac. A big question for me is if you had the body off of the frame why wasn’t the trunk replaced then? This would be followed by a second question of why didn’t the floor pan get replaced before the paint work was done? Would love to know that this is back running the streets!

    Like 11
  2. Avatar 86_Vette_Convertible

    Always liked the 66 & 67 GM’s, this range for GTO’s especially. That’s quite an array of cars in that shed, wonder if they’re all his or if he’s just renting space there? It’s something I wouldn’t mind having if I had the space for it.

    Like 2
  3. Avatar TimM

    This is a good deal if the body work has been done right!! A good price for what’s been done!!!

    Like 1
  4. Avatar Keith

    Has anyone noticed that the pictures are from 2010, that would be almost ten years ago?

    Like 3
    • Avatar 86_Vette_Convertible

      had not noticed that at the time. Could be a deal breaker if the photos don’t represent the current state of the car.

      Like 0
      • Avatar PatrickM

        Eight and a half to be more accurate. I still think the price is too high. Ad deleted by author. Sumpin’ ain’t right.

        Like 0
  5. Avatar Socaljoe

    My favorite year for the GTO. Best tail lights.

    Like 4
  6. Avatar slickb

    What this guy has is some good taste in cars

    Like 2
  7. Avatar Gaspumpchas

    Like TimM said, looks like the hard work is done, if the paint and body work is up to your standards. I would get it home, find out if it has the parts you need to fix, get what you need a and putter together. IMHO, if you look at the parts and work, especially with a rebuilt mill, you couldn’t do the work for 13 large! Good luck to the new owner- hope it gets into good hands!
    Cheers
    GPC

    Like 3
  8. Avatar Robert Sabatini

    The epitome of American muscle! Without imitation.

    Like 1
  9. Avatar Jopri

    Regardless when photos were taken, judging what’s in the background and if those are his also this car in the condition that it’s in is a steal, like all have said hard work appears to be done.

    Like 0
  10. Avatar moosie

    I have no dog in this fight but I once had a camera that for the life of me could not change the date, I suppose if anyone is really interested in this car than they ought to contact the seller with their concerns about the pictures date rather then assume he is trying to be dishonest. Other then that the ’67 is one of my favorite years of G T O’s besides the ’65.

    Like 4
  11. Avatar Karl

    That’s a beautiful vehicle along with a few others in this shop. If all is as the owner says and how it is visually this would be an easy car to finish and in the end not only be awesome but be worth a pretty penny. Darned NICE car!!

    Like 0
  12. Avatar John Oliveri

    Things that make u go hmm, y a body off and floor and trunk not handled then?

    Like 2
  13. Avatar stilbo

    I’d definitely want to perform an in-person inspection of the body (With a magnet to look for Bondo) and check the rest of the car to see what bits and pieces are or aren’t present.
    Shiny paint can hide a lot of sins.
    I’ve ‘refurbished’ two 66-67 GTOs and a few other muscle cars and it only took one ‘Partial car’ with what was supposed to be a complete car albeit with a lot of boxes to make me a believer in never buying anything but a complete car..

    Like 0
  14. Avatar Bryan

    Installing a Ram Air 4 camshaft without upgrading the valve train, to Ram Air 4 specs, is a recipe for poor performance. I’m assuming that it’s a standard 400 cid and not a real Ram Air 4, based on the description.

    Like 1
  15. Avatar Tricky

    Ad pulled by author, I smell something fishy!

    Like 0
    • Avatar Pugsy

      That’s what they do when they sell it.
      At that price, it wouldn’t last long.

      Like 3
  16. Avatar r s

    I think it’s a bargain… look at the total rust buckets people are asking $10K for. I am willing to bet that if it’s on those rollaround casters that it’s been kept indoors and is in pretty much the same shape as in the photos.

    Like 2
  17. Avatar the one

    May have been a scam

    Like 0
  18. Avatar Steve

    Is this still available

    Like 0
  19. Avatar Carl Johnson

    Still for sale ?

    Like 0
  20. Avatar Urs Storni

    Still for sale ?

    Like 0

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