Need help buying a '68 GTO

[StealthBird]

I agree, in this economy, that lots 'o dollars for a base 68 GTO.

Some small gripes...

I think when you said the wheels were incorrect, you knew that 15" wheels were not available on any GTO until much later. Not a big deal, but the seller is asking big money for a car that, assuming you want to make it correct, will take a new set of Rally II's and tires.

The lug nuts appear to be generic acorn nuts. Not a big deal, repro Rally II lug nuts are available, but again, he's asking top dollar for the car.

Hideaway headlights are great, but check the PHS for this and some of those other options. Also check to make sure the headlight doors operate properly. Lots of guys only drive these cars in the daytime, and have no idea that the doors don't open correctly. Also make sure that the headlight doors stay up after sitting for a while. Common problem on these cars.

Top cog belts, and what appears to be a stainless modern flex fan. Chassis looks like it's been driven a bit. Again, not a big deal, but the guy is asking a lot.

The Endura nose is not easy to paint, and many guys use the incorrect paint without enough (or any) flex agent. Check to see who painted the car. If they don't know Endura bumpers, that paint may be cracking as we speak.

Really check out the body on this. As the expression goes, "If the bodywork didn't come out right, paint it white".

Is this an original white car with black interior? What color was the top?

Overall a pretty car! But check the PHS....

[68 Vert]

The comments above pretty much sum it up...It looks like a low option '68 that should sell somewhere in the mid to upper teens, dependent upon an inspection. PHS is a must to confirm options.

Overall looks to be a nice car, a bunch of little things to address but not that big of a deal.

That being said, if you must have the car buy it and enjoy it!!

Mike

[Gear_Jammer]

I want to let y'all know how much I appreciate the help and suggestions so far. It looks like other than some nit-picky things that everyone likes the car, but object to the price. I've been looking for a nice solid driver for at least 6 months and $24,500.00 doesn't seem that out of line to me. Please don't misconstrue this as being rude, but I would really like to know where and how y'all are coming up with being able to find a nice frame-on restored car for under $20K because I haven't seen it. I've been search Hemmings, Autabuy, nationwide searches on Craigslist and the Classic Car Trader and just haven't seen the prices y'all are talking about for what I want. If someone can give me suggestions on other places to look I would really appreciate it. Like I said, I don't really think this price is THAT out of line, but at the same time, I don't want to pay more than I have to pay. Y'all know FAR more about these cars and the market than I do, so I respect your options on all that.

My ideal car is a nice solid driver hardtop '68 or '69 GTO. If it's a '68 then it must have a his/hers shifter and would like hideaway headlights, hood tach and AC (or at least a car with 2 of those 3) in white, black, red or one of the blue colors. If it's a '69 it has to be an automatic and would like to have hideaway headlights, hood tach and AC (or at least a car with 2 of those 3) in white, black, red, one of the blues or silver. I think those are pretty reasonable options to look for considering how many '68 and '69 GTO's were made.

Please help me find my dream car for the right price.

Thanks.

[GTO_DON]

First of all,Stop looking at dealers cars unless you want to pay full market value,Second 68's are the bastard childs of GM cars to buy.That car is not a frame up restored car. Its just a driver with a repaint in my eyes but maybe Im splitting hairs. A 69 is worth alot more even thou I like 68's. All 68 GTO's that have bucket seats have a his and hers shifter so thats no big deal. If you would like I will give you my number and I can help you find a good car fot the roght price. I see these cars all the time but I dont buy automatics. My name is Don and my number is 267-246-6903 feel free to give me a call. Its a shame your not a chevy guy because Ive got a real nice 68 SS 396 chevelle with Ice cold air and other nice options in a good color that i would sell for 20k. I will talk to you soon.

[mockingbird812]

D.M. -- you'd be smart to heed Don's suggestion. You can get a lot more car for the $ or the same car for a good bit less.

Good luck!

[olredalert]

-----Dons the MAN!!! If he wants to help, make sure you give him a call. You wont regret it.......Bill S

[StealthBird]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GTO_DON</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Second 68's are the bastard childs of GM cars to buy.</div></div>

Don, why is that? Are you referring to all 68 A-bodies, or just the GTO? [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif[/img]

[GTO_DON]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: StealthBird</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GTO_DON</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Second 68's are the bastard childs of GM cars to buy.</div></div>

Don, why is that? Are you referring to all 68 A-bodies, or just the GTO? [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif[/img] </div></div>Its just pretty much the truth. I happen to like 68's and there are some cool one offs like Ram II cars and Hurst Olds cars ETC,but 68 Vettes are not as strong as 69's,GTO's same,67 Firebird 400 and 69 Firebirds bring more money than 68 firebirds and If my 68 ss 396 was a 69 it would be gone for what Im asking right now and I cant think of a single GM car built for 68 that tops a 69.
Gear jammer I will be around to speak to you anytime you want! Bill Thanks for the props, I dont know if Im all that but I can definetly set him in the right direction for a Goat if thats what he wants...

[StealthBird]

Well, I think since the 68 GTO was the &quot;Motor Trend Car Of the Year&quot;, it received a ton of publicity. The first A-body to get hideaway headlights, that nasty Endura bumper, and the overall look....very aggressive.

As for Firebirds, the 67's do appear to bring a little more than 68's, probably because the 67 was the first year. And then the 69's were almost totally restyled. Many people dig the wider, lower look of the 69's vs. the 67-68 in both Firebird and Camaro form. Yes, the 68's seem to be stuck in the middle, and often forgotten, unless it's a RAII car.

The 1968 Corvette was such a horrible car when it was introduced, so many negative press reviews written, they were (unfortunately) never very popular, but the styling was incredible. In the case of Corvettes, yes, the 69's bring more.

But 1968, in general, was a banner year for all the manufacturers. One of the most significant of all the Musclecar years.

Some notables:

-The new A-bodies from GM, a complete redesign, they were like spaceships compared to the 1967's.
-The all-new Corvette, while riddled with bugs, was a styling masterpiece.
-A wicked two-seater called the AMX put AMC on the map.
-Plymouth's all-new 1968 Road Runner, could have &quot;Car Of The Year&quot; if it weren't for the GTO.
-1968 Hurst/Olds gets a 455 cube engine from GM, bypassing their 400 cube mandate. Still remarkable they made the car.
- All new 1968 Nova

I actually do like 1969's (in general) better, as the engine choices were wilder, and of course the Aero Wars were full-on. But I credit the 1968 GM A-bodies for their revolutionary designs. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/burnout.gif[/img]

[Gear_Jammer]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GTO_DON</div><div class="ubbcode-body">First of all,Stop looking at dealers cars unless you want to pay full market value,Second 68's are the bastard childs of GM cars to buy.That car is not a frame up restored car. Its just a driver with a repaint in my eyes but maybe Im splitting hairs. A 69 is worth alot more even thou I like 68's. All 68 GTO's that have bucket seats have a his and hers shifter so thats no big deal. If you would like I will give you my number and I can help you find a good car fot the roght price. I see these cars all the time but I dont buy automatics. My name is Don and my number is 267-246-6903 feel free to give me a call. Its a shame your not a chevy guy because Ive got a real nice 68 SS 396 chevelle with Ice cold air and other nice options in a good color that i would sell for 20k. I will talk to you soon. </div></div>

Are you going to be free to talk tomorrow and/or over the weekend?