One Family Owned? 1969 Pontiac GTO
The seller of this 1969 Pontiac GTO states, “just arrived on 2/4, one family owned…“. That makes me think it’s a flip but details beyond that claim are minimal. He also suggests that it’s a bigger project than he thought so I guess that’s motivation to move it on to someone else. So, how big a project will this old goat be? Let’s look it over and see what’s here. Located in West Ocean City, Maryland, this iconic Pontiac muscle car is available, here on craigslist for $25,000 firm. A tip of the hat is due to Tommy T-Tops for this tip!
No doubt about it, the ’68 and ’69 GTO are my favorites. And, when you look at all of the action that Pontiac had going on in ’69, it’s hard to believe that it is no more – what a loss! We cover this vintage GTO all of the time, even 55 years on, they’re hard to avoid due to their outsized production volume of 72K units. This example is really nothing special as it is powered by the standard engine and equipped with an automatic transmission. While not resembling a rustbucket, this Tin Indian has other issues such as a badly deteriorated finish, a passenger side that looks like it may have gently kissed a guardrail, and a nose piece that has been subjected to a bit of park-by-feel. Close-ups of the black vinyl top show lumpy faded material and underhood images reveal quite a bit of surface corrosion.
Standard GTO power means a 350 gross HP, 400 CI V8 engine, and in this case, it’s tied to a Turbo-Hydramatic 400 automatic transmission. The seller says that this likely 131K mile example is a non-runner and I find the corrosion that has settled in on the alternator and A/C compressor to be troubling – seems like this Poncho has spent a lot of time in a wet environment. This one’s located in Maryland but it’s wearing California tags so its past, and its geographies of residence, would be nice to know. I also wonder about its underside and what one can expect to find there. The dangling tailpipe isn’t a big deal but from experience, I don’t recommend using rope to secure it.
At first glance, the black vinyl “Morrokide” upholstery looks pretty good, as does the entire interior environment. The seats aren’t ripped, the dashpad is not cracked and the carpet is far from threadbare. But…looking more closely at that carpet, I see what looks like whitish water swirls and there’s no denying the steering column’s mold infestation – has this GTO been doing a little submarining?
I’m afraid that this car’s listing, and its images, leave me with more questions than it does answers. As for the $25,000 firm price, I’d suggest $25,000 no, how about you?
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Comments
Window sticker looks like a Maryland PBA. Threw CA plates on it to put some lipstick on it. Never saw a core support that rusty. This lived at the beach on the east coast.
I was at a car show a few years ago where a Telsa rep brought one of the new gullwing SUVs.
He had just got done bragging about all the safety cameras, when he backed into a perfect Endura bumper of a GTO.
We all heard the crack from about 15 feet away.
Heartbreaking…
The bubbles under the vinyl top make it a pretty scary proposition. The radiator upper mount, plus the extreme corrosion under the hood makes me believe that’s cars been parked somewhere pretty moist, and with a fair amount of salt water nearby.
“NOT RUNNING?!” No way is it worth the asking price. I’m a huge fan of the 2nd gen Pontiac GTO/Lemans/Tempest but this is not a Pontiac it’s a. “PONTIWRECK”. Not saying it isn’t fixable but I would want to see it without seats or carpet. Hairy scary monster. Buyer beware. Hope the seller realizes his error in the asking price and this goes to someone who can save it. Because as I always say, when they’re gone, they’re gone.
I agree. Without being able to drive it, you just gotta assume the engine and trans and rear end are shot. Considering that safe assumption, it isn’t worth anywhere close to $25k. Not with the body being in such poor shape.
I think his decimal place is off!! Maybe $2,500!. Roof is all rusted, i would bet the floor boards and frame are as well!!
The “one family” had some pretty bad eyesight. Looks like they kept misjudging how much room they had in the garage.
What in the Wide World of Sports is going on with them tailpipes??
To be fair, even J.C. Whitney didn’t sell those.
2700.00$ firm!
The automatic equipped GTO’s were factory equipped with the resonators you see here, they were not factory installed on the manual transmission cars. Something tells me the string mounting isn’t factory! $25k is a ridiculous price, the seller doesn’t state if the engine even turns over. This is essentially a base level GTO, optioned with AC, console, remote mirror and Rally ll wheels.
Car at Barrett/Jackson restored would be about $45k…$25k for that is a joke
If the seller is firm on the price, this Goat will forever stay in his their pasture. Not running, automatic, needing cosmetic, body and paint work, for 25k(?!), good luck with that.
I had a carousel red black vinyl top ram air 4 400. Auto. I bought it twice. 10 years apart. Restored it. Darn I miss that car. Layla was her name. I know things are pricy now. But 25 k for not running. And no idea under it. And I had to replace both front and rear panels. And the rear deck lid was rotted. And I am in Idaho. No it’s not worth 25k I would offer 7 to 8k. No more. I had a 68 convertible. Sold for 24. I think he’s gonna keep the car
I’m guessing the owner is hoping to find one of those fools and his money 🤣
He knows full well he’s over pricing it. He bought it site, unseen over paid for it, got it home saw the rust/damage and wants to unload it on someone and Bail out of his mistake.
I wonder though? What would a Mopar be worth? Just saying yes it seems overpriced, butt everybody thinks their goose is golden.
25K firm..good luck.Needs complete resto and who knows what undercarriage is like. Agreed a quick flip or owner bought without knowing extent of restoration costs. Buy one done and save some cash.
I’d offer the guy $1895 and call it a day. Tell him the only reason it’s thst high, is the dash, seats and door skins.
I think the only one family that owned this was a family of sea otters in the Atlantic or Pacific for that matter according to license plate
The only one family that owned this was a family of sea otters in the Atlantic or Pacific according to license plate
This crusty old goat could be saved. But at a big price … 25K is a ludicrous ask.
What’s heartbreaking is the number of excellent to pristine pre smog cars sent to the crusher out in California that the state buys just to get them off the roads. Many of them also run and drive. But can’t be sold under any conditions. That’s a real travesty.
10 grand (yes) but 25 grand nope
Could be a nice restoration, but it may take upwards of 50K$ to get it there, worth the asking price? Not for me but the market will decide.
Too many red flags. 5-10k max. The 25k is delusional.
It looks like this goat went on a few underwater adventures. This could be Jacques Cousteau’s old ride.
About 6500.00 for this one.Way over priced A lot of work to bring this one back.
When the guy sobers up he will realize it should have been 2500 stay tuned for when he sober up if yant it for 2500ou w
At least with that 19th century alarm system you can feel safe it won’t be stolen.
This is what happens when one misplaces the decimal point/
Pontiac’s logo: “We build excitement”. Well, it left this one a long long time ago. Too bad, so sad. Suspect, very suspect.
Who was the original owner? Ariel ? that car was “Under the Sea” with all that water damage!!……$25 cash….maybe to tow it away…..
Baby shark da do do do do do & family.
Another boring 350 hp automatic in terrible condition. These cars were rotted out in the late 70s. Ask me how I know. A Barrett Jackson dreamer. The car hobby is a joke today.
Hi, yaaa…are there any fish still in it? I’m a pontiac guy..not this one. had a 400 bird. love that engine! much better after replacing timing chain and metal gears.
If it has the matching numbers engine and transmission, it is worth between 12,000-$15,000. Fully restored probably worth $55-60,000. If you don’t do the work yourself to a high quality, you will quickly be upside down on this or ANY classic car.