68 Grand Prix--yay or nay?

442w30 · #1 03-10-2009, 03:24 AM

I think these cars are pretty cool, but don't pay too much. Also, don't fall for the owner's puffery . . . "I think this would be an HO car except for the AC . . . " I mean, WTF?

**Bill Pritchard** · #2 03-10-2009, 05:31 AM

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the owner's puffery . . . "I think this would be an HO car except for the AC . . . " I mean, WTF?

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I took it to mean that, had the original ordering person not wanted the car equipped with a/c, they probably would have opted for the HO motor. They're speculating no matter what, but I didn't take it to be some shyster marketing ploy

StealthBird · #3 03-10-2009, 05:58 AM

It's one of those cars that would cost $50K "to restore", but isn't worth $20K "restored".

Not many repro parts available for these cars...

That being said, these ARE cool cars!!! They weren't popular back in the day though. The totally redesigned 1969 Grand Prix sold over 3 times what the 1968's did. The 1968 was considered a "big fat turkey" even by one of the Pontiac chief engineers.

Some issues: The car sits about 2" high in back, about an 1" high in the nose, but not a big deal. Also, not sure if the 1968 Grand Prix would use a GTO gear shift knob. I'm also a bit skeptical of how he says he "doesn't think it's an HO car", when he has the PHS, and the build sheet.

He should KNOW it's not an HO car. I also like the his answer to the question of whether the engine has any leaks (there's anti-freeze under the intake). He says "no, the anti-freeze just puddles there after it's shut off."

Ummm...isn't that a leak?

By the way, that's NOT "just a washer" as he states (sounds like what someone from a 1970's sitcom would tell someone that wants to buy their house, and there's water pouring out of a faucet). Yes, it's in inexpensive rubber washer that it needs, but the intake has to come off, new intake gaskets, and lots of scraping.

Overall though, you don't see many of these cars around (although there IS a red 68 Grand Prix that attends one our weekly cruise nights around here!), and they are definately attention getters, just not as desireable as a 69-72 Grand Prix.

I would guess $18K-$20K if it was indeed restored properly. It looks very nice, you don't see very many 4-speeds, but he has to find the right buyer that has been looking for a red 68 GP 4-speed to get that price.

69Tom · #4 03-10-2009, 05:59 AM

Yeah, I definitely didn't think he was trying to pawn it off as an HO motor. If anything I took it to mean that this definitely wasn't one as it had AC.

Well, in any event, if it was going for 15-18, I might try and grab it. However, he states he wants "in the 20s" in an answer to one of the questions, so I'm guessing that's unlikely.

442w30 · #5 03-10-2009, 06:29 AM

[ QUOTE ]

I took it to mean that, had the original ordering person not wanted the car equipped with a/c, they probably would have opted for the HO motor. They're speculating no matter what, but I didn't take it to be some shyster marketing ploy

[/ QUOTE ]

I didn't think he was trying to pawn it off as an HO. I just thought it was silly what he was saying. . . who knows what the original owner would have bought if he didn't order AC, ya dig?

I once looked at a triple black HO stick car. Didn't have the money, but I always have kept that car in my mind. Would also love to have a '68 Catalina post with the same engine!

StealthBird · #6 03-10-2009, 07:09 AM

Seller : "The only reason I think its not a HO 428 car is because you could not get air conditioning with the HO option."

He's leaving doubt. He's misleading the buyer into the possibility that somehow, someway, the car mysteriously has HO manifolds, but the 428HO option doesn't appear on the PHS.

He should have just said "I installed HO manifolds, it's a regular 428 4-speed", and left it at that.

GTO_DON · #7 03-10-2009, 07:48 AM

Mike I Own the GP and Im absolutly not trying to lead anyone. Ive listed the engine code and horsepower rating and showed my docs. You looking into it too much. I was just saying that with the amount of options this car and Ive never seen another one even close to That I would have bet it would have been an HO car if the selling dealer didnt want air conditioning. Thats just an opinion. Its still a beautiful car that I traded for a while back and if its not worth much then so be it but its still a beautiful car with no issues. As for the washer it leaked a little becuse it sat for months. Now that I fired it up and started usuing it swelled up and does not leak. Please dont bash my car!! Its really a nice car and I dont like people insinuating things. It does not have mysterious manifolds The last owner put them on with the Pypes system Its that simple and thats what i said in the ad. Ive left no doubt as ive talked to alot of people on it and I tell it like it is.

Did I talk to you today??

**Salvatore** · #8 03-10-2009, 07:58 AM

Seen this car several times. A real nice car and it sounds great to boot!

GTO_DON · #9 03-10-2009, 08:00 AM

What are you doing still awake??

Your an early riser.

442w30 · #10 03-10-2009, 08:07 AM

I don't think any of us were saying you were being misleading. I thought it was puffed up a bit, but perhaps it was just awkwardly written? Seen too many people on eBay trying to be vague about things.

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