1968 Pontiac GTO

Pontiac redesigned its entire lineup for 1968, with the image-leading GTO awarded with Motor Trend's Car of the Year award. Its wheelbase was shortened to 112-inches and the body introduced Coke-bottle-inspired 'fuselage' styling with a long hood, short deck stylistic treatment. The bold frontal styling included a tough body-colored Endura bumper and optional concealed headlights.

With over 87,000 examples of the GTO sold in 1968, it helped Pontiac maintain its strong third-place in the U.S. sales race with nearly an 11 percent share of the new car market. The GTO was affordably priced from just $2,996 with the basic 400 cubic-inch V8 delivering 350 horsepower. The RAM Air I 400 cubic-inch option was rated at 360 horsepower, which was quickly succeeded after March 1968 by the Ram Air II with a 366-horsepower rating and upgrades including lightweight valves, forged pistons, and free-breathing cylinder heads with round exhaust ports. Ram Air-equipped GTOs received a dealer-installed fresh-air induction kit with functional hood scoops.

The Pontiac GTO came with a three-speed manual transmission with Hurst shifter, dual exhaust, all GM safety features, fastback redline tires, disappearing wipers, and sports-type springs and shock absorbers. Interior amenities included an ignition alarm, carpeting, cigar lighter, panel courtesy, ashtray and glovebox lamps, and deluxe steering wheel.

Pontiac's 1968 model lineup included the Tempest resting on a 112-inch wheelbase for its two-door body styles and 116-inches for the four doors. The sporty Firebird had a short 108-inch wheelbase and was priced from in the high-$2,000s. The Grand Prix, Catalina, and all station wagons rested on a 121-inch platform, while the Executive and Bonneville had the largest wheelbase at 124-inches. The Tempest and firebird came standard with an overhead cam six-cylinder engine displacing 250 cubic inches and delivering 175 horsepower. The Grand Prix and GTO shared the 400 CID V8 with 350 hp, and the Catalina and Executive were powered by a 400 CID V8 with a Rochester two-barrel carburetor and delivering 265 horsepower (290 hp with the Turbo-Hydra-Matic).

The 400 cubic-inch V8 was offered in various states of tune, with horsepower that ranged from 330 hp to 366 horsepower with four-barrel carburetion and 10.5:1 compression. The 428 cubic-inch V8 produced 375 bhp with 10.5:1 compression and 390 hp with 10.75:1 compression.

Performance options on the GTO included Super-Lift shocks, Rally I and Rally II wheels, Turbo-Hydramatic automatic, close-ratio four-speed manual with floor shift, heavy-duty Safe-T-Track differential, power brakes, power steering, and rally stripes. Dual exhausts were standard.

The curvaceous and semi-fastback styling introduced in 1968 would continue through 1972 with styling updates along the way.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible

The GTO was introduced in 1964 and was produced until 1972. The 1968 Pontiac GTO was voted 'Car of the Year' by Motor Trend magazine. The car came with a 400 CID engine and was rated at 350 HP. The original price was $4,242.

This car was originally purchased in California eventually ending up in New Jersey. The present owner purchased the car in 1993 and towed it to SC where it was restored over a period of 10 years.

Convertible
Chassis number: 2426782128744

Pontiac's second-generation GTO was unveiled for the 1968 model year, and this restored white over teal convertible is a numbers-matching example. It is one of 461 cars with its combination of equipment and color. These include a 400 cubic-inch engine, four-barrel carburetor, automatic transmission, and air conditioning. A notable feature introduced on the GTO in 1968 was its flexible, body-colored Endura front bumper, which was designed to withstand small impacts without damage - although a chrome bumper was available as an option.

Convertible

The GTO was the brainchild of Pontiac engineer Russell Gee, an engine specialist, and Pontiac chief engineer John De Lorean. The name, which was DeLorean's idea, was inspired by the Ferrari 250 GTO. Along with a litany of options and other tweakings, the 1968 models were so well received that production jumped from 81,722 in 1967, to 87,684 in 1968; of those only 9,980 were convertibles.

This example was purchased in the hills of TN, complete with bullet holes in the passenger rear quarter panel. It was given a Comprehensive ground-up restoration from bare metal with soda blast.

Hardtop Coupe

The current owner is the third to own this GTO. The car was built in February of 1968 in Framingham, Mass., and delivered to Ebersole Pontiac in Lebanon, PA. The current owner completely restored the GTO to the way it was when it left the factory. The car has the original 400 cubic-inch engine with 350 horsepower and the wide-ratio Muncie 4-speed transmission, and it includes all the documentation delivered with the car. All of the standard and optional accessories are also original.

Hardtop Coupe
Chassis number: 242378p287424

This 1968 Pontiac GTO is powered by a rebuilt 455 cubic-inch V8 engine paired with a rebuilt Muncie four-speed manual transmission. It has been given a professional 2 stage Black exterior paint scheme with new chrome and trim, and new floor pans, interior, trunk, and roof. It has Vintage Air, a functional Ram Air Hood, a Hood tachometer, a rear spoiler, new glass, a Modern Bluetooth Retrosound radio, and Dakota Digital cruise control.

by Dan Vaughan