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1968 Pontiac GTO - Fateful Fortune

A Dead Battery Brings This '68 400 H.O. GTO to Its Lifelong Owner
By Jesse L. F. Freeman, III
Photography by Thomas A. Demauro
1968 Pontiac GTO Overhead Drivers Side View
Get a luxury Pontiac vinyl-top... 
   
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1968 Pontiac GTO Overhead Drivers Side View
Get a luxury Pontiac vinyl-top look but none of the bulky fat with the less-expensive-than-a-Cordova-top painted roof! (Another rarely seen option.) On most GTOs, the fenders angle in at the rockers, leaving a gap behind the trim. In this case, the lower fenders were cut and welded to ensure a smooth look in this area.
1968 Pontiac GTO Front Overhead View
When was the last time you... 
   
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1968 Pontiac GTO Front Overhead View
When was the last time you saw a hood and front bumper fit on a '68 GTO as well as they do on this one? It took the resto shop many hours to get the gaps that straight. Nightshade Green Code V, is a seldom-seen color.
1968 Pontiac GTO Exhaust Manifolds
The '68 400 H.O. specs tell... 
   
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1968 Pontiac GTO Exhaust Manifolds
The '68 400 H.O. specs tell a tale of 10.75:1 compression 360 hp and 445 lb-ft of torque. Already factory equipped with #16 D-port heads with 2.11/1.77 valves, streamlined exhaust manifolds, an 068 cam, and a Q-jet on a cast-iron dual-plane intake, Stan did only a basic rebuild and installed a stock spec Crane cam. Note the optional factory under-hood light.
1968 Pontiac GTO Front View Passengers Side
Because the unassisted stock... 
   
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1968 Pontiac GTO Front View Passengers Side
Because the unassisted stock drum/drum brake setup was barely sufficient, optional factory four-piston caliper disc brakes were ordered up front by the dealer. Stan has since added BF Goodrich 235/60R15 tires mounted on refurbished T/A-style 15-inch Rally II wheels for a more muscular look.
1968 Pontiac GTO Engine View
Attention to detail is evident... 
   
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1968 Pontiac GTO Engine View
Attention to detail is evident under the hood of Stan Ubben's Goat, as well. Also note the absence of a power brake booster on this disc brake-equipped GTO.
1968 Pontiac GTO Interior View Steering Wheel
Currently having under 84,000... 
   
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1968 Pontiac GTO Interior View Steering Wheel
Currently having under 84,000 miles on the odometer in the factory Rally gauges, this GTO was ordered to do the basics: look good and run better. AM radio and rear-speaker options add to the interior comfort. Stan and Claude Lee Upholstery only had to use Ames Performance Engineering's carpet, seat covers, and padding kits to get this Parchment interior as gorgeous as you see it. Everything else is fact-o-ry original!
1968 Pontiac GTO Underbody Restoration
Upsy-daisy! Despite having... 
   
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1968 Pontiac GTO Underbody Restoration
Upsy-daisy! Despite having a beautiful sheen to the paint, years of road duty had taken their toll on the underbody.
1968 Pontiac GTO Interior Dash Restoration
Almost thoroughly gutted,... 
   
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1968 Pontiac GTO Interior Dash Restoration
Almost thoroughly gutted, the interior shows the effects of water and dirt over time. Note the dash-mounted ignition dangling.
1968 Pontiac GTO Body Restoration
The healing begins with the... 
   
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1968 Pontiac GTO Body Restoration
The healing begins with the completely stripped body awaiting painting on the rotisserie.
1968 Pontiac GTO Frame
No rust in sight. POR-15 was... 
   
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1968 Pontiac GTO Frame
No rust in sight. POR-15 was applied into every nook and cranny to keep this GTO looking good for years to come.
0502Pon Green 05 Z
Only a car guy (or gal) can... 
   
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0502Pon Green 05 Z
Only a car guy (or gal) can appreciate the beauty of bare and freshly painted metal of an automobile's underparts.
1968 Pontiac GTO Body Restoration
A beautifully pre-painted... 
   
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1968 Pontiac GTO Body Restoration
A beautifully pre-painted body is ready to be reattached to its frame.

Pontiac G8 Research
Pontiac G8 A new car buyer's guide can help you narrow down your choices when deciding on your next new car. Take a look at the Pontiac G8 and view comprehensive car pricing, current rebates, incentives, safety data, & more. The 2009 G8 has a comparable standard engine, and has drivers side crash test ratings of 8 stars and passengers side crash test ratings of 8 stars. The Pontiac Solstice and the Pontiac Grand Prix are other vehicles that might interest you.

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