Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/eBay seller clayt-lawle
Most people remember the 1969 model year on the GTO as the refresh that witnessed the debut of the Judge. The Judge became an iconic model that's very desirable today, but it still couldn't stop the GTO's yearly decline.
The 1969 sales dropped to 72,287 units after Pontiac previously shipped over 87,600 GTOs. It was the beginning of a massive decline that continued in 1970 and 1971 when the annual sales collapsed to 40,000 and then 10,500 units.
The GTO hardtop was the most common choice for buyers in 1969, accounting for more than 58,000 units. The convertible was much rarer, with 7,328 units.
One of these convertibles is fighting for survival on eBay after spending 25 years in storage.
We're not getting too many details on the storage conditions, but you can tell the GTO has been properly maintained. The vehicle looks very good for a project, and its most pressing problems can't be observed unless you get close to it.
The paint and the interior caught my attention, but I'm sure there's more to discover on this GTO. Seller clayt-lawle says the lights, the blinkers, the horn, the wipers, and even the cigarette lighter are still in working conditions today. The power top goes up and down, and this is surprising for a car this old, especially considering the long tenure in hiding.
It doesn't mean this is a perfect project. It isn't, and it all starts with the rust issues. The GTO is overall very solid, but I can already spot a few spots on the floors and in the trunk that'll require urgent attention. The owner says quarter panel patches should be a priority.
The disappointment continues when you look under the hood. The vehicle rolled off the assembly lines with a 400 (though no further specifics are available), but the factory unit is no longer available. The GTO sells with a non-matching unit that starts, runs, and drives, but it's not enough to consider it road-worthy. The engine must be rebuilt, so the complete restoration should also include the typical powertrain overhaul.
The selling price is not a surprise, though it could make many people walk away. Most GTO projects I've seen lately come with serious metal problems and missing parts, not getting even close to the condition of this 1969 survivor. Its main issue is the non-matching engine, but it could be the right project if you're not particularly interested in restoring this GTO to 100 percent factory specifications.
The owner is ready to let the car go to someone paying $24,000, but they could also accept other offers. It's a non-bidding listing, and eBay's statistics reveal that 31 people are already watching this GTO, possibly hoping for a lower price.
The GTO hardtop was the most common choice for buyers in 1969, accounting for more than 58,000 units. The convertible was much rarer, with 7,328 units.
One of these convertibles is fighting for survival on eBay after spending 25 years in storage.
We're not getting too many details on the storage conditions, but you can tell the GTO has been properly maintained. The vehicle looks very good for a project, and its most pressing problems can't be observed unless you get close to it.
The paint and the interior caught my attention, but I'm sure there's more to discover on this GTO. Seller clayt-lawle says the lights, the blinkers, the horn, the wipers, and even the cigarette lighter are still in working conditions today. The power top goes up and down, and this is surprising for a car this old, especially considering the long tenure in hiding.
It doesn't mean this is a perfect project. It isn't, and it all starts with the rust issues. The GTO is overall very solid, but I can already spot a few spots on the floors and in the trunk that'll require urgent attention. The owner says quarter panel patches should be a priority.
The disappointment continues when you look under the hood. The vehicle rolled off the assembly lines with a 400 (though no further specifics are available), but the factory unit is no longer available. The GTO sells with a non-matching unit that starts, runs, and drives, but it's not enough to consider it road-worthy. The engine must be rebuilt, so the complete restoration should also include the typical powertrain overhaul.
The selling price is not a surprise, though it could make many people walk away. Most GTO projects I've seen lately come with serious metal problems and missing parts, not getting even close to the condition of this 1969 survivor. Its main issue is the non-matching engine, but it could be the right project if you're not particularly interested in restoring this GTO to 100 percent factory specifications.
The owner is ready to let the car go to someone paying $24,000, but they could also accept other offers. It's a non-bidding listing, and eBay's statistics reveal that 31 people are already watching this GTO, possibly hoping for a lower price.
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