Wild Styling: 1968 Pontiac Grand Prix 400
Occasionally, a classic that appears to be a total package crosses our desks at Barn Finds. Such is the case with this 1968 Pontiac Grand Prix. It presents beautifully and is loaded with luxury features. However, the freshly rebuilt V8 could be the icing on what appears to be a very tasty cake. Its most pressing need is a new home, with the seller listing the Pontiac here on eBay in Alton, Illinois. The bidding currently sits at $2,550, which is, unsurprisingly, below the reserve.
Pontiac’s Second Generation Grand Prix graced showroom floors from 1965 until 1968. Our feature car emerged during the final production year. Featuring a larger version of the distinctive “beak” that was becoming a hallmark of the marque and concealed headlights, it presents beautifully in Mayfair Maize and Cameo White. The seller doesn’t mention prior restoration work, although the car’s overall presentation suggests it has either received a refresh or has been carefully protected throughout its life. There are no visible flaws in the panels or paint, but an in-person inspection will probably unearth imperfections, considering its age. The Pontiac has a known history, and having spent most of its life in dry locations, it remains rust-free and as solid as the day it rolled off the line. The tinted glass looks flawless, and there are no visible trim issues. I have always believed that Pontiac’s 8-lug wheels are the most attractive to grace any production car during the 1960s, making them the ideal finishing touch to this classic’s exterior.
Lifting the Grand Prix’s hood reveals the mid-range 400ci V8. The remaining major mechanical components include a three-speed Turbo 400 transmission, a 10-bolt Safe-T-Track rear end, and power assistance for the steering and brakes. The seller confirms the Pontiac has only clocked around 2,000 miles since receiving an engine and transmission rebuild. The V8 features an upgraded camshaft, meaning it probably produces more than the 350hp and 445 ft/lbs of torque available when its first owner took delivery. That deserves consideration because, despite the Grand Prix tipping the scales at 4,299 lbs, it should storm the ¼-mile in 15.9 seconds. That proves this is more than a gentle giant. The mechanical refurbishment didn’t end with the engine and transmission because the suspension and brakes have received considerable attention. The new owner will benefit because the Pontiac runs and drives perfectly. They could fly in and build a relationship with their new toy as they embark on the road trip home.
If you think this Pontiac’s exterior is impressive, you will probably appreciate its interior presentation. There is little to criticize. The door trims were recently refurbished, while the Green seatcovers are free from wear and other issues. The carpet looks surprisingly good for a classic of this vintage, and there is no crumbling plastic. The dash and console are spotless, as is the faux woodgrain. The timber wheel is a later addition, as is the retro-style stereo with iPod capability. The car is equipped with air conditioning that has been converted to R134a refrigerant to blow ice-cold. Other factory options include power windows, a remote driver’s mirror, a power antenna, and a tilt wheel.
The classic market never fails to surprise, and this 1968 Pontiac Grand Prix proves that. It is a stunning car that appears to need nothing. The rebuilt mechanical components should provide years of faithful service, and the interior would make any journey feel like a special occasion. The surprise? It has only received seven bids, which is far fewer than I typically expect from a vehicle of this caliber. Its overall condition suggests it should top $20,000 before the hammer falls. If it doesn’t, that could be the second surprise it springs. The lack of action makes this auction worth watching.
Auctions Ending Soon
2002 Subaru Impreza WRXBid Now2 days$333
1975 Chevrolet Corvette ConvertibleBid Now2 days$4,000
1964 Ford F-100 Camper CustomBid Now2 days$2,000
2006 Jeep Wrangler SportBid Now4 days$10,500
1974 Datsun 260ZBid Now6 days$750
Comments
I know it’s in the eye of the beholder, but “presents beautifully” is not a term this baby boomer would have used for that model. Good condition? I could do that.
What is up with that interior? Did someone install green seat upholstery in a tan interior? Yuck!
A Pontiac executive said of the 1968 Grand Prix, “Our 1968 Grand Prix was a disaster. Nobody bought it. It looked like a big fat turkey . . .”
Apparently the front bench is a replacement.
Starting 1968, headrests (protectors, actually; they weren’t to be pillows) were required on front seats. This doesn’t have them; and the seat doesn’t match.
I’m in a minority here: I didn’t like the 1968 Chevrolet, but the Pontiac translation was just fine, in my 10-year-old eyes. I also was fascinated with how at the time, upscale models like the GP would use the same body, same basic grille and lines…the same design language, I’d say now…but dress it up, with hidden headlights, other changes.
Later, of course, they had entirely different sheet-metal. Now, by contrast, all cars are blob cars, and hidden headlights are Grandpa’s memories.
Headrests became mandatory Jan 1, 1969.The interior looks original to me, the same green on the dash and all the seats.
If the seats were white I would be less confused, It has some good lines and the front could be intimidating in one’s mirror but the whole package just doesn’t flow.
Weirdly enough, some of these older cars we disliked when they were new are actually pretty cool today. This has character. Old Pontiacs are neat. 400 is a good motor IMO. But about that interior/exterior color combo….
My friend has one black n blue tho with a 428…beautiful car
I’m surprised the write up doesn’t have any pics from the rear. These had a very cool bumper / taillight combo. If you’re not familiar, click on the ad.
The 1968 Pontiac Grand Prix was a one year only body style . Sales were apparently quite poor as I never saw many around even in my youngest years . That explains why the Grand Prix was redesigned for 1969 , thus increasing sales dramatically that year and beyond ! That goes to show , you have to create an automobile that everybody’s going to love and admire , then they will sell like hotcakes , right ? Yes !! That’s a lesson learned to anyone or company that’s creating new products for business . Happy Motoring !
I like the appearance of these GPs in their last year before the big redesign. However the rear quarter, fender skirt and halo roof create a big butt kind of look. To each their own. The tail lamps introduced the style that would reappear on the leMans in ’70-’72.
Something is up with the lighting inside of this car. Maybe it’s the gawd awful window tint. The seats don’t appear to match the rest of the interior which is the correct green. The wood wheel looks out of place as well.
Not a lot of bids because it’s all mismatched in arguably bad taste
i love the early prixs…..but i have a few including a 62 ac auto a 63 tripower 8 lug 4 speed a 64 ac auto and a 66 8 lug tri power 4 speed…..i like the 67 prixs but the cats and bonnies look like a kirby vacuum to me….maybe its the hidden lights and diff nose for the prixs….68s was the last good lookin prix imo….id perfer a 4 speed and vedero green but it seems to be a nice clean car….i think the interior pic color is off due to the tint on the car and lighting of the pic….i think anything under 15 K is a good deal on it with a refresh engine and trans and what ever other works been done……
Unsurprising that this hasn’t received any big bids. The styling is just plain ungainly, just look at that 1970 listed elsewhere by comparison. Nice condition, even though those green seats look odd. And yes, I’ll absolutely take that 1970 over this one any day.
Feb 21st – 5:26 PM CST: It’s currently sitting at a bid of $7368 with 26 bids in so far, and has three and a half days on the auction, and that is basically how this car should be performing at auction. Due to the ’67’s and ’68’s going away from the Pontiac classic styling, they didn’t do well in sales – the 68’s pretty much bombed, and the ’68 Grand Prix sales totally tanked – and this car shows why that happened. The strange color-combo interior people are getting all weird about was the “style” of that year. It’s not a color-blind re-do – it’s the way they came from the factory. Some design nutjob back then thought it was cool, but it just underscored the overall fat-turkey vibe of the ’68 Pontiac’s and other GM products. This one seems to be a solid that could well out-last most new cars on the road today, but you just have to have a weird sense of auto-esthetics to appreciate its fat-turkey appeal — and a lot of people have that – so it will very likely go to a happy new home at a very reasonable price.
I’m a huge fan of 1966 and prior full size Pontiacs. For some reason the 67 and later just didnt appeal to me. This looked pretty good at first until I saw the interior shots, then you lost me on this on. The 8 lugs help. But I just cant get past that mish mosh interior.
From the doors back, this car is horrible. Doors forward this is a Bonneville/Excecutive/Catalina with hidden headlights and it looks good. But who, not only designed that roofline and trunklid and rear bumper, but approved it for production?
The B/E/C rear was squared off, definitely more tasteful with taillights above the bumper.
Thank the next designer for coming up with an entirely different body style on a different platform. 1969 through 1977 the Gran Prix was gorgeous!
Mitchell had to have signed off. It was his show back then.
From the doors back, this car is horrible. Doors forward this is a Bonneville/Excecutive/Catalina with hidden headlights and it looks good. But who, not only designed that roofline and trunklid and rear bumper, but approved it for production?
The B/E/C rear was squared off, definitely more tasteful with taillights above the bumper.
Thank the next designer for coming up with an entirely different body style on a different platform. 1969 through 1977 the Gran Prix was gorgeous!
You can say that again, and it looks like you did.
Hahaha. 😆 quite by accident
No you don’t even see that type of design, creation, build, make and manufacture profile, style, pizazz, class and total distinction in rides like that anyway and it’s a damn shame. That’s when Pontiac/GM Buick, Chevy,Cadillac Oldsmobile was under the GM Brand, FoMoCo and Chrysler were the Big Three and the auto workers got Big Respect.
Like I said before: I don’t care, I don’t care, I don’t care I don’t give a damn you know exactly how I feel you know exactly where I’m coming from I will take those Antique, Classic and Vintage Rides over of what they have right now.
Btw: the cool Pontiac arrow head emblem is missing off the nose of the bumper, just a hole there where it should be – and that may be rather hard to find to replace, which is probably why it hasn’t been done yet.
The 67 was the last really beautiful GP, especially the drop top. This 68 is pretty but the redesign of the 67 wasn’t necessary and diminished some of the beauty.
That is one ugly car.to the ugly front end withe the hidden headlights to the upside down taillights,just ugly.
My uncle Garfield had one that I learned how to drive in! I loved it! I got my license in April of 68,on my 16th birthday!