Frame Off Restored Numbers Matching GTO 400 V8 with A/C

The GTO never goes out of style, and when they're as cool as this 1968 coupe, it's easy to understand why. This is a fully restored, 100% numbers matching GTO coupe that's loaded with options like A/C, folding headlights, and a cool Hurst “his and hers” shifter, all for a bargain price. If you've been dreaming of GTO ownership your whole life, this is your chance to get a top-tier Goat that'll bring home a trophy at the next Pontiac Nationals.

Here's the cowl tag decode:

* 01A First week of January build date
* ST68 1968 model year
* 24237 GTO 2-door hardtop
* PON Pontiac, Michigan assembly plant
* 6526 Sequence number
* 223 Black interior trim
* C-2 Cameo Ivory with black vinyl roof

Finished in unusual Meridian Turquoise, this is a subtle, sophisticated GTO, one built as a gentleman's express rather than a street brawler, although it has the muscle to do that as well. In a sea of Carousel Red GTOs, this one is sure to stand out, especially with the stunning rotisserie restoration that has created a car that's far nicer than they ever were when they were new. The bodywork is simply spectacular, with laser-straight sheetmetal and expert panel alignment, with gorgeous two-stage urethane paint on top. The Endura front bumper is beautifully done without a single wrinkle or flex mark and correct GTO decals have been affixed to the rear quarters.

Adding to this car's sophisticated look is the white vinyl roof, which has been expertly installed with no wrinkles or bubbles, as well as fresh tinted glass throughout, as specified on the build sheet. All the chrome has been refinished, the stainless has been buffed, and it appears that all the plastic lenses are either new or perfect NOS pieces. Up front, the classic Pontiac split grille offers optional hidden headlamps which operate as they should, and the engine breathes through a pair of cool nostrils in the hood.

The 400 cubic inch V8 under the hood is the YS code unit born with the car back in 1968, with 100% matching numbers. With a 4-barrel carburetor, it makes a healthy 350 horsepower and the most wonderful V8 sounds. The detailing in the engine bay is so crisp that you want to examine every inch of it, and you'll be rewarded with a highly accurate machine that's ready to show. Correct finishes, including Pontiac Turquoise on the block, chrome on the valve covers, and gloss black on the air cleaner all add up to a stunning presentation. In fact, the obsession with correct finishes was so extreme that even the cast iron master cylinder was left raw, as original, instead of painting it to simulate cast iron, which isn't correct. Reproduction hoses and clamps were fitted, there's new wiring throughout, and even things like the battery tag and radiator cradle stickers have been faithfully reproduced. And yes, this is a factory A/C car, complete with the original-style A6 compressor with new fittings and lines. It fires up with a snarl, settles into a slightly lumpy idle that lets you know this is no wheezing Tempest, and pulls with the torque that only a big block can deliver. Impressive.

The three-speed TH400 automatic transmission is a willing and able partner, and thanks to 3.00 gears out back, this car has exceptionally long legs on the highway. Easily able to cruise at hyper-legal speeds with the A/C blasting, this is one GTO ideally suited for a cross-country trip in style. You'll also note that the underside is as clean as the body and engine bay, with more Meridian Turquoise on the beautifully finished floors and a satin black frame, as original. No liberties were taken with the suspension and brakes, which were fully rebuilt and refinished to factory specifications, although it does have a set of air shocks in back. A fresh dual exhaust system features stainless Magnaflow mufflers that give this Goat a wicked voice, and blow through a set of chrome trumpets that aren't exactly original, but definitely help preserve that lovely chrome rear bumper. There's also a fresh gas tank with new lines and hoses. It rides on a set of handsome Pontiac Rally II wheels with correct 'PMD' center caps and fresh F70-15 Firestone redline tires.

The stunning turquoise bucket seat interior is perhaps the car's best feature. Nobody can accuse the restorer of not attending to details, because the seat covers fit superbly, the carpets are exactly right, and fresh door panels carry correct GTO badges. Even the steering wheel was carefully color-matched when it was restored. The Hurst dual gate shifter was a Pontiac standard for many years, and offers a cool look at early attempts at the dual-purpose “manumatic” that's so popular today, and it really does work to wake up the big 400 on the roll. The woodgraining has been restored using fresh appliques, and the unique A/C-only dash pad looks great. All the gauges have been rebuilt, and the mileage shown is since the restoration was complete, so you know the car is fresh. Even the clock and original AM radio (with rear speaker!) work as they should. In back, the trunk is finished with a reproduction mat and matching spare tire and wheel protected by a fitted cover, with the jack assembly in its own fabric bag, as original.

Thanks to PHS, there's also a good bit of documentation, including a copy of the original build sheet and a decode of this particular car's options.

This documented, matching-numbers GTO is a brilliant example of what made it so popular and so intimidating on the street. With Pontiac's typical flair for combining luxury and horsepower, it's simply awesome to drive—comfortable when you're cruising, but seriously fast when you nail the throttle. The fantastic, high-quality restoration will win its share of admirers anywhere you go, and it's available for a bargain price. For pure performance-per-dollar, this Goat is hard to beat.