1968 Pontiac GTO

Registration No: ABW 721F
Chassis No: 242378Z132151
MOT: Exempt

• Rare and desirable four-speed manual gearbox example
• The beneficiary of much improvement while in current ownership
• Fitted with the original 400ci engine
• Understood to be a ‘matching numbers’ example

The original much-vaunted series of GTOs reigned from 1964 to 1974 and were classic muscle cars of the period. Forced to adhere to the US manufacturers' voluntary ban on factory-sponsored racing, GM had turned its attention to optimising the performance of its road cars, in order to maintain the interest of the young American enthusiast. The GTO was essentially the brainchild of three men - engine specialist Russell Gee, chassis engineer Bill Collins and chief engineer John DeLorean; who later achieved fame for the car bearing his name and cheating the British taxpayer of millions of pounds. The GTO was DeLorean's clever idea, but one strongly resented by Ferrari enthusiasts.

Manufactured in 1968, this was supplied new via Porter Pontiac Inc. of Denver, Colorado having been constructed in the Fremont plant. Costing $3,533.17 (according to the accompanying Pontiac Retail Price sheet for the car), with the GTO having been specified with the ‘wonder touch’ power steering from new along with dual-exhausts, interior lights, heavy duty floor shift and recessed window wipers, amongst other features. Fitted with the 400ci Pontiac V8 engine mated to the rare and desirable four-speed manual transmission. Finished in the striking colour combination of Solar Red with complementary Medium Red interior upholstery, ‘ABW 721F’ was imported into the UK in 2021, whereby it was purchased by the vendor (the sole UK keeper).

An older restored example, the GTO has been subject to much recent improvement since entering into current ownership, with ‘ABW 721F’ benefitting from new door and window seals, servicing (with new spark plugs), refurbished wheels, new Eldbrook rocker covers, an interior refresh and engine bay tidying. Accompanied by the Pontiac build records and a current V5C document, the Pontiac is due to be driven approximately 65 miles to the sale.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452