Summary

From the private collection of Jim Mattison, Pontiac Historic Services. Ultra-rare Ram Air II. One of only 199 built. Original born-with engine, 4-speed manual transmission and rear axle. National GTOAA Show winner, 2013 and 2014.

Details

This 1968 GTO is the ultra-rare and desirable Ram Air II model, from the private collection of Jim Mattison, founder of Pontiac Historic Services (PHS). It is one of only 199 special 4-speed Ram Air II GTOs built in 1968. The Ram Air II package consisted of: special round-port cylinder heads, exhaust manifolds and hi-lift camshaft, a close-ration 4-speed and heavy-duty Safe-T-Track 4.33:1 rear axle. This car still retains the original born-with engine, transmission and rear axle components. Built at the Pontiac Assembly Plant on July 9, 1968, it was shipped to Seltzer Pontiac, Inc., in Chicago, IL, for delivery to the first owner. The car was then pampered and stayed in the Northern Illinois area for the next 40 years. This car received a no-excuse, frame-off, 3-year restoration and was completed in 2013. The car was completely disassembled and stripped to bare metal by well-known Pontiac restorer Marvin Minarich of Marvin's Motor City in Mooka, IL. The frame was removed and the entire original drivetrain was rebuilt. The body of this vehicle was gone over from front to back and the body fit is laser-straight and better than new. Once the body was prepared everything was given a fresh coat of the correct Aegean Blue (code EE), using the best modern DuPont base coat/clear coat paint. The frame was stripped and all chassis components were replaced and/or refinished in the correct, original factory finishes. In all instances, any parts replaced were NOS, where possible. While the original engine was out of the car, it was disassembled and completely rebuilt. The 400ci Ram Air engine (WY) block was honed and new pistons, rings and bearings were installed. The crank was checked and lightly refinished. The Ram Air II '96' cylinder heads were checked and given a valve job, along with new valves and valve springs. Everything was reassembled and the entire engine assembly was given a coat of the correct Pontiac silver-blue engine paint. No stone was left unturned and the black bucket seat interior was completely redone, using nothing but the best of correct materials. All instruments and gauges were checked for operation and repaired or replaced, if necessary. All wire harnesses were replaced with new. The restoration on this GTO is 100% factory correct, right down to the correct T-3 headlamps and original-style Firestone red-stripe tires. This car was sent to the GTOAA National Convention in 2013, scoring 652 out of 700 and again in 2014 where it scored 687 out of 700 receiving Concours Gold top honors for the restoration quality and correctness. The car comes with a complete set of the PHS paperwork, Pontiac Division Window Sticker and all GTOAA awards.