Inventory Listing

1968 Pontiac GTO Hardtop Coupe — Locally Owned Consignment

This is a locally owned 1968 Pontiac GTO hardtop coupe. In 2021 Elite Auto of San Luis Obispo performed body work and a full paint job. The body is laser straight and the finish is mirror flat with no visible orange peel, cut and buffed to a high-quality result. It is presented as a highly original example with its numbers-matching Pontiac 400 V8 and factory 4-speed manual transmission. The car retains its original interior, dashboard, carpet, and headliner. The undercarriage and engine bay appearance are largely original. Gas tank, alternator, and battery have been replaced. It is equipped with a period-correct Quadrajet carburetor, original intake manifold, original exhaust manifolds, and factory air cleaner. Mechanical updates during ownership include a replaced fuel pump, clutch, and oil pump, plus a 4-core radiator. An original 1968 GTO key is included. It rides on Cooper Cobra Radial G/T 215/65R15 tires mounted on factory wheels with chrome trim rings. The original dashboard shows typical age-related cracks and splits, and the driver’s seat has a crack on the outer top bolster. Factory Hurst 4-speed shifter is present. Manual front and rear drum brakes are original to the car. Classic Car Financing & Worldwide Transport Available- Call us today!

VIN Decode

The VIN 242378B128173 confirms this is a genuine 1968 Pontiac GTO. Decoding: “2” = Pontiac division; “42” = GTO series; “37” = 2-door hardtop coupe; “8” = 1968 model year; “B” = Baltimore, Maryland assembly plant; and the remaining digits are the sequential production number. This VIN format is consistent with factory GTO production for the year and body style.

Body Tag / Cowl Tag Decode

The Fisher Body cowl tag shows:

• Build date: 05B = 2nd week of May 1968
• Style: 68-24237 = 1968 Pontiac GTO 2-door hardtop coupe
• Plant: BAL = Baltimore, Maryland
• Trim code: 223 = Black interior
• Paint code: QQ = Verdoro Green (upper and lower)

The style number matches the VIN series and body style, confirming a true GTO hardtop. The Baltimore plant code aligns with the VIN. Verdoro Green is a factory 1968 Pontiac color, consistent with the exterior shown in the photos. The current finish is the 2021 Elite Auto body work and paint.

Essentials

• 1968 Pontiac GTO hardtop coupe, Baltimore-built (May 1968)
• Numbers-matching Pontiac 400 V8 with period-correct Quadrajet, original intake, and exhaust manifolds
• Factory 4-speed manual transmission with Hurst shifter; clutch replaced
• Mostly original interior, dashboard, carpet, and headliner (black trim; dashboard cracks and driver’s seat bolster crack noted); original 1968 GTO key included
• Original undercarriage and engine bay appearance
• Manual drum brakes front and rear (factory configuration)
• Full body work and paint by Elite Auto of San Luis Obispo in 2021 (laser-straight body, mirror-flat finish, no visible orange peel, cut and buffed); original paint code Verdoro Green
• Cooper Cobra Radial G/T 215/65R15 tires on factory wheels with chrome trim rings (period-style upgrade; factory equipment was typically G70-14 bias-ply on 14-inch wheels)
• Mechanical updates: fuel pump, oil pump, and 4-core radiator replaced
• Locally owned consignment vehicle; clean title; runs and drives as a classic muscle car

Generation History

The 1968 GTO introduced the second-generation body on the revised GM A-body platform with a shortened 112-inch wheelbase. The most visible change was the body-colored Endura front bumper/nose, a flexible urethane design that improved low-speed impact resistance. Total GTO production for 1968 was approximately 87,684 units (roughly 77,700 hardtops). It was named Motor Trend’s Car of the Year.

Powertrain, Fuel Economy, Horsepower & Torque

The standard 400 cubic-inch V8 (4.12 × 3.75 bore/stroke, 10.75:1 compression) with Rochester Quadrajet four-barrel was rated at 350 hp @ 5,000 rpm and 445 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm. The High Output version was rated 360 hp. Period road tests recorded roughly 6.5–7.3 seconds 0–60 and mid-14-second quarter miles depending on engine and gearing. Real-world fuel economy for these cars is typically in the 9–13 mpg range under mixed driving, as expected for a large-displacement carbureted V8 of the era.

Reliability of the 400 V8

The Pontiac 400 is a robust, well-supported engine with excellent parts availability. Numbers-matching examples with original Quadrajet, manifolds, and related components are desirable among collectors. Regular maintenance and proper carburetion keep these engines reliable for occasional driving.

Competition at the Time

The 1968 GTO competed directly with the Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396, Oldsmobile 4-4-2, Buick GS 400, and the newly introduced Plymouth Road Runner. It stood out for its styling (especially the Endura nose), handling balance on the revised chassis, and strong performance credentials. Motor Trend’s Car of the Year award reflected its combination of performance, design, and engineering advances for the intermediate segment.

What the Experts Said

• Motor Trend (1968 Car of the Year): Praised the redesign, Endura bumper technology, and overall balance of performance and style.
• Car Life road test of a Ram Air example called it “one of America’s most desirable cars” and “the wildest,” noting strong performance and predictable handling.
• Period testing consistently highlighted the GTO’s straight-line performance and the appeal of the 400 V8 / manual combination.