1968 Pontiac GTO

[Paul Ceasrine]

1968 Performance Tests
Motor Trend Magazine (February 1968)

[Alex Denysenko]

Originally Posted by Paul Ceasrine

1968 Pontiac GTO Price List;

Base Price; $3101

Primary Options:
* Power Steering: ($95)
* Power Brakes: ($35)
* Disc Brakes: ($63)
* Retractable Headlight Covers: ($52)
* AM Radio: ($61)
* Hood Tach: ($63)
* Dash Rally Guage Cluster: ($84)
* Dual Exhaust Extensions: ($21)
* Custom Rally Wheels: ($50)
* Safe-T-Track Differential: ($42)
* Special Axle Ratio's: ($63)
* Speedometer Gear Adapter: ($11)
* Center Console: ($68)
* Turbo-Hydra-Matic Transmission: ($236)
* Close Ratio 4-Speed: ($185)
* Ram Air Hood Scoop: ($50)
* 400/360HP 'HO' Engine: ($76)
* 400/366HP 'Ram Air II' Engine: ($342)

Also Paul,

Little known 1968 (I think 1968 only) option was a 265 HP 400 2 barrel regular fuel engine.
A girl I dated in high school circa 1970 parents had one that she got to use and actually became her car eventually.
When I got to drive it the first time on a date I could not understand what a pig it was until I opened the hood.

[Paul Ceasrine]

Alex,,,,,,,

You are correct sir.
The 400/350HP was the 'base engine' in the 1968 GTO.

A 'no cost' option was the 400/265HP 2-barrel,
called the 'Economy V-8'.

The only transmission available for that engine was the TH-400 automatic
You would find those cars classed in K/S A in 1968 (13.00 - 13.99 wt/hp).

That 265HP engine had no business being in a 68' GTO,,,,,,what
was John DeLorean thinking on that decision.......

[Pete Beau]

Not a new GTO, but in '79 I look at a one for sale 'as in' for $350. Green, real clean, new convertible top, interior real good minus a small tear in drivers seat, only boldy flaw was a little rust above the wheel well openings on the rear. Owner had a new clutch put in it and after about 4+ months the car wouldn't move. I'm looking around the rear of the car with the owner and my brother is poking around with a flashlight in the hood compartment. Bro calls me over as says firmly, in a low tone, buy the car NOW! So I did and said we would be back tomorrow to take it.

We show up with a tool box and while I completed the paper work with the owner in his kitchen my brother starts the car and backs it out of the garage. The owner was steaming and asked what my brother did. The bellhousing had backed away from the block. He was frustrated that we didn't point it out to him. Oh well LOL. Sold it a short time later to a friend.

[Geerhead55]

Originally Posted by Pete Beau

Not a new GTO, but in '79 I look at a one for sale 'as in' for $350. Green, real clean, new convertible top, interior real good minus a small tear in drivers seat, only boldy flaw was a little rust above the wheel well openings on the rear. Owner had a new clutch put in it and after about 4+ months the car wouldn't move. I'm looking around the rear of the car with the owner and my brother is poking around with a flashlight in the hood compartment. Bro calls me over as says firmly, in a low tone, buy the car NOW! So I did and said we would be back tomorrow to take it.

We show up with a tool box and while I completed the paper work with the owner in his kitchen my brother starts the car and backs it out of the garage. The owner was steaming and asked what my brother did. The bellhousing had backed away from the block. He was frustrated that we didn't point it out to him. Oh well LOL. Sold it a short time later to a friend.

Now THAT is a great story,,, I can just imagine the look on the seller's face!
Danny Durham

[Joe Abbazia]

Same type of story happened with me but not a GTO.I was 16 a kid in the hood had 396 375 nova someone put an 850 manual choke.The cable broke with the choke half closed he thought the cam went bad.I payed 500 while my brother flipped opened the choke,put plugs in it and drove home.

[Paul Ceasrine]

Motor Trend Magazine,,,,,,February 1968

Second performance test on the 68' GTO 400/360HP 'Ram Air I'
A 4-Speed with 4.33 gears.

14.45 @ 98 MPH

The air-cleaner top was removed,
A set of 8" wide x 28" tall GoodYear slicks mounted on
Ansen 15' x 6' rims were used.

Test performed, on a Wednesday Night (Street Racer Night) at
OCIR (Orange County International Raceway).


This 69' GTO also went through the same performance test in 1969.

[Jeff Lee]

I think it was 2006 I bought a full, frame-off beautifully restored '69 GTO. It was Matador Red with red interior. Factory original RAIV (400/366HP) with 4-speed and 4.33 gears. That RAIV has to be the best sounding factory cam ever installed!

[Jeff Lee]

Soory but this is not a 1968 commercial but this 1970 GTO commercial for the VOE (vacuum operated exhaust) has to be the COOLEST muscle car commercial I've ever seen!

[dennis dunlap]

Jeff , I,m with you on the 69 RAM-AIR 4 ,wildest sounding cam that i can remember .I had a new 69 RAM-AIR4 automatic,green with gold interior ,,,thats right .
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