Summary

One of 199 special 4-speed Ram Air II GTOs built in 1968. Powered by a 400ci Ram Air II 8-cylinder engine and retains the original 4-speed manual transmission and rear axle components. Complete set of the PHS paperwork, Pontiac Division Window Sticker.

Details

This 1968 GTO is the Ram Air II model and is one of 199 built in 1968, with only a handful being convertibles. The Ram Air II package consisted of special round-port cylinder heads, exhaust manifolds and hi-lift camshaft, a close-ratio 4-speed manual transmission and heavy-duty Safe-T-Track 4.33:1 rear axle. This car still retains the original transmission and rear axle components; however, the original engine was damaged many years ago and has been replaced with a correct 'SR' service replacement 400ci 8-cylinder Ram Air II engine. It was built at the Arlington, TX, assembly plant on May 27, 1968. It was then shipped to Haskell Pontiac in Coolidge, AZ, for delivery to the first owner. This car has been pampered and remained in Arizona and California for more than 50 years. The current owner has had the car for the last 32 years. The car received a recent no-excuse frame-off restoration completed in the 2019-20 timeframe. The car was completely disassembled and stripped to bare metal, the frame was removed and the entire drivetrain was rebuilt. The body of this vehicle was gone over from front to back and the body fit is laser-straight. Once the body was prepared, everything was given a fresh coat of correct Verdoro Green (code Q) using 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 engine was out of the car, it was disassembled and completely rebuilt. The 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 and convertible top were completely redone, using nothing but the best available correct materials. All instruments and gauges were checked for operation and repaired or replaced if necessary. All wiring harnesses were replaced with new. The restoration on this GTO is factory-correct, down to the correct T3 headlamps and original-style red line tires. The car comes with a complete set of the PHS paperwork and a Pontiac Division Window Sticker.