1968 Pontiac GTO

This 1968 Pontiac GTO is the Real Deal, with an absolutely gorgeous look and fantastic options! When Pontiacs chief engineer John DeLorean - yes, that DeLorean - and Pontiac Motor Division General Manager Pete Estes conceived the idea of packaging a large-displacement V8 into a mid-size body, they ignited a revolution that would define American performance for generations. The result was the Pontiac GTO, and nothing in the automotive world would ever quite be the same. In the early 1960s, the performance equation was simple but limiting: you could have a small car with a small engine, or a large car with a large engine. General Motors further constrained the formula by restricting the displacement of engines permitted in its mid-size A-Body platform. DeLorean and Estes found a creative workaround - launching the GTO not as a standalone model, but as an option package on the Pontiac Tempest LeMans. By slipping Pontiacs potent 389 cubic inch V8 beneath the hood of a mid-size platform, they sidestepped corporate restrictions and, in doing so, wrote the blueprint for the American muscle car. Within years, virtually every domestic manufacturer was chasing the same formula. The GTOs success was swift and undeniable. General Motors soon raised its displacement limits, and the GTO earned its place as a full standalone model in the Pontiac lineup. By 1968, it was ready for its boldest reinvention yet. Pontiac officially unveiled the redesigned 1968 GTO on September 21, 1967, and the automotive press took immediate notice. The most dramatic styling change was found up front, where a revolutionary steel-reinforced rubber nose - branded the Endura bumper - replaced conventional chrome. Pontiacs engineers demonstrated their confidence in the design by famously hammering the Endura nose on the showroom floor to prove its resilience. A restyled split grille complemented the new front fascia, and buyers could optionally equip their GTO with vacuum-operated Hide-Away headlights that concealed the lamps behind body-color doors for a cleaner look despite being notoriously problematic. Out back, revised taillights and refined bodywork completed the transformation. Functional refinements extended throughout the car. Pontiac tucked the windshield wipers out of sight beneath a cowl panel - a feature that would become standard across the entire Pontiac lineup for 1968 - lending the car a cleaner, more purposeful profile. Inside, the cabin received a meaningful upgrade as well, with richer, more ornate upholstery, improved materials, and woodgrain accents that elevated the GTO well above General Motors more entry-level offerings. The automotive world recognized what Pontiac had achieved. Motor Trend named the 1968 Pontiac GTO its Car of the Year, awarding it the prestigious Golden Calipers award - a fitting tribute to a machine that had already changed the industry once and had just proven it could reinvent itself just as compellingly. This particular 1968 Pontiac GTO comes to us from Arizona collectors who stewarded it for the past 20 years. Under the hood of this 68 GTO is 400 cubic inch V8 fed by a single 4 barrel carburetor that together were said to have produced 350 horsepower when new. The 400 V8 is backed by a 4 Speed Manual Transmission, making this classic Pontiac an easy muscle car for anybody to enjoy. A throaty exhaust sound emanating from the dual tailpipes makes for an unmistakable muscle car sound. This Pontiac GTO comes loaded with great powertrain options! Power is sent to the rear wheels via the Safe-T-Track positraction rear differential, ensuring youll be able to keep the rubber to the pavement when taking off in this 68 GTO. Power steering is another welcome feature in this GTO since it improves the overall driving experience and makes squeezing into a tight parking space at the local car show a total breeze. With Power front disc brakes, youll also be able to bring this 300+ horsepower muscle car to a complete stop with minimal effort. Riding on a set of Rally II Wheels mounted with BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires, this Pontiac GTO has a prototypical muscle car look and a fantastic ride. This GTOs body has been refinished in Vendoro Green to complete the exterior look of this awesome 60s muscle car. The interior of this 1968 Pontiac GTO is absolutely stunning! The front bucket seats and rear bench seat have been refurbished with light green upholstery that complements to overall look of the car. The matching door panels, matching trimmed center console, sandalwood carpeting with GTO embroidered floor mats, padded dash and woodgrain steering wheel are all in wonderful condition as well and they remain in their stock configuration. Instrumentation includes a 120 MPH speedometer, AutoGage column-mounted tachometer, and fuel gauge, along with a clock and indicator lights for oil pressure, engine temperature, generator function, and the parking brake. The dash is finished off with lighting and climate controls, a locking glovebox, and an upgraded AM/FM/Cassette entertainment system so that you can listen to all of your tunes while cruising down the road. Whether youre buying your very first classic muscle car or youre a card carrying member of your local Pontiac or GTO club, this 1968 Pontiac GTO would make a fantastic choice. Give Ellingsons a call today at 763-428-7337!