Original price: $3,374.00
On loan from: Phil Mitchell, Sumner, WA
Previous owner(s): Not available
Number made: 246 (199 with 4-speed, 47 with automatic; 56 were Ram Air convertibles)
Engine, etc.: 400 cu. in.; 335 h. p.; 4:33 rear-end gear ratio
This car is 1 of 10 GTO Ram Air convertibles known to exist. Mr. Mitchell owns two of these cars.
It has optional bench seats (bucket seats were standard).
The car is waiting for a full frame-off restoration at Level One Restorations, Arvada, CO.
The Ram Air II had slightly higher horsepower than the previous Ram Air I and had upgrades including light weight valves, forged pistons, and free-breathing cylinder heads with round exhaust ports. The cars also received a dealer-installed fresh-air induction kit with functional hood scoops.
Pontiac redesigned its entire lineup in 1968. The GTO won Motor Trend’s 1968 Car of the Year award. The wheelbase was shortened, and the body restyled into a new Coke-bottle-inspired shape with a long hood and short deck. Over 87,000 GTOs were sold in 1968 which allowed Pontiac to keep its third place in U. S. sales. It was affordable, starting at $2,966.00 with the basic engine.
The Pontiac GTO came with a three-speed manual transmission (4-speed manual available in the Ram Air) with Hurst shifter, dual exhausts, all GM safety features, fastback redline tires, disappearing wipers, and sports-type springs and shocks.
Interiors had an ignition alarm, carpeting, panel courtesy and glovebox lights, and a deluxe steering wheel.
The semi-fastback styling introduced this year continued through 1972 with updates.
Sources: https://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z9707/pontiac-gto.aspx
http://www.classiccardatabase.com/specs.php?series=9157&year=1968&model=34093
https://oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Pontiac/1968%20Pontiac/1968_Pontiac_Prestige_Brochure/dirindex.html (Original dealer brochure)
Source of number made and cost: Google search, ‘cost of 1968 GTO ram air II’