Finding a 1968 Pontiac GTO convertible is not difficult compared to locating one built with the optional 400 HO engine. Finding one paired with an automatic transmission is another story entirely. A rough example currently offered for sale highlights exactly how uncommon some GTO combinations became during the muscle-car era.
Pontiac assembled 87,684 GTOs for the 1968 model year. Most buyers chose the hardtop body style, which accounted for 77,704 deliveries. Convertible production was far smaller, and the majority left the factory with the standard 400ci engine backed by an automatic transmission.
Among convertible buyers, 5,091 selected an automatic gearbox, while 3,116 preferred shifting gears themselves. The numbers became much smaller when buyers moved beyond the standard engine.
Pontiac offered the 400 HO as an optional powerplant in 1968. Customers could pair the package with either a manual or automatic transmission. Most enthusiasts favored the manual setup, leading 766 buyers to order the high-output engine with a stick shift. Only 461 examples combined the 400 HO with an automatic.
The rarest configuration sat even deeper in the production records. Buyers seeking a convertible equipped with the 400 Ram Air package and an automatic transmission accounted for only 22 cars. The vehicle now listed for sale belongs to the group of 766 convertibles fitted with the 400 HO and automatic transmission combination.
The car itself tells a difficult story. Photographs show a vehicle in need of substantial restoration work, though details about earlier ownership remain unclear. Rust is present, and sheet-metal repairs appear necessary. At the same time, the floors seem better than expected despite visible corrosion.
Evidence suggests previous work has already taken place. The current blue paint likely did not leave the factory with the car. According to the seller, the GTO originally wore a green finish. Anyone considering a purchase would be wise to inspect the vehicle in person and verify which components and details remain original.
Under the hood, the news becomes less encouraging. The engine and transmission still accompany the car, yet the seller admits major mechanical attention lies ahead. As stated in the listing, “The engine needs major work,” a warning prospective buyers should take seriously before making plans for a restoration.
Even so, rarity continues to support the car’s appeal. Collectors searching for an uncommon 1968 GTO may view the project as a worthwhile challenge despite the extensive work required.
The owner has attached a $24,500 asking price to the convertible while also enabling eBay’s Make Offer feature. The Pontiac is located in Granada Hills, California, and the listing has 28 days remaining, giving interested buyers time to arrange an inspection and decide whether this forgotten GTO deserves another chapter on the road.
1968 Pontiac GTO 400 HO Convertible – Photo Gallery
