The GTO in these photos is one of them.
It rolled off the assembly lines with a 389ci V8 block and the Tri-Power setup. The car has never been “restored, wrecked, or taken apart,” eBay seller charlienodents says, adding that the paint on the body – Maize Yellow – is likely original.
The car was owned by the same family since it was new, and now they are letting the car go with no previous restoration. You can tell the car needs a complete overhaul, with the seller sharing specifics that could make some potential buyers walk away. For example, they claim the frame might need to be replaced, so you should inspect the GTO in person before making an offer.
The floors are half-solid and half-rusted, and part of the trunk pans will need to be replaced. All of these are certainly unsurprising, especially as the GTO has spent its entire life with the same family, remaining unrestored throughout its whole life. However, the rust issues suggest that the GTO hasn’t been properly cared for, so an in-person or third-party inspection is mandatory to determine how much work it’ll need.
The engine is the real 389 Tri-Power paired with a four-speed transmission. The good news is that the engine turns over and runs with fuel poured directly into the carburetor, so a good mechanic should be able to get it up and running after clearing the fuel lines. You’ll probably need a new gas tank.
This GTO is undoubtedly a challenging project, but considering it’s unrestored and complete, it should find a new home fast. With a proper restoration job, it should rapidly become a collectible, especially if it doesn’t lose its factory configuration during the overhaul.
The GTO has received impressive attention on eBay, with 25 bids received in only a few hours online. The top offer at the time of press is $5,100, but the seller also configured a reserve. It’s still in place, so bidders must increase their offers before getting their hands on the car. The Pontiac GTO is parked in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, and you’ll need a trailer to take it home.
The auction site indicates that 27 people are also watching the list, so the battle will probably get fiercer in the coming days.
