1968 Pontiac GTO

1968 PONTIAC GTO USHERS IN 2nd GENERATION
General Motors completely redesigned its entire A-body mid-sized car lines across all it’s brands for the 1968 model. Gone were the sharp edges and boxy shapes. In its place was a softer, more organic, more curvaceous body that almost looked like it set in the sun too long and melted. They were much more aerodynamic than their square-bodied ancestors through, and they also got slightly smaller. The new Pontiac Tempest, LeMans and GTO was 5.9 inches shorter, 0.5 inches lower, and 75 pounds lighter than the 1967 cars.

GTO HAS BOLD NEW STYLE
Along with the boxy proportions, gone were the stacked headlights and upright grille. In their place was a sculpted, aerodynamic, one-piece Endura (plastic) front facia/bumper that housed the 4 headlights now horizontally. Hideaway headlights became an option on the 1968 Pontiac GTO for the first time. The single scoop gave way to twin scoops that were much more flush to the hood, almost like NACA ducts. Concealed windshield wipers not only cleaned up the lines of the car, but also its aerodynamics. The hood-mounted tachometer reappeared for the 1968 model year, having been introduced on the 1967 GTO. A bold new optional wheel gave the car a much more modern look.


1968 Pontiac GTO INTERIOR


1968 Pontiac GTO ENGINE

ENGINE OPTINS
Powertrain options remained basically the same as in 1967, made up entirely of 400 cubic inch V8s. The standard engine rose from 335hp to 350hp at 5500rpm. A new Ram Air package called “Ram Air II” became available midyear, which included better-breathing heads, round port exhaust, and an 041 racing cam. GM wisely chose not to brag about the increased horsepower. As always, the GTO was fast, getting through the quarter in 14.7 seconds at 97 mph, with a 4-speed transmission. With the Ram Air package and the optional 4.33 rear end, a stock ’68 GTO clocked 14.45 seconds at 98 mph. Even with the base engine, an automatic & 3.23 gears, it would do a 15.93 quarter mile at 88.3 mph. Not to shabby.

1968 PONTIAC GTO AWARDED
MOTOR TREND CAR OF THE YEAR

The 1964 GTO may have been considered the first true Muscle Car, but it was was no longer alone, in fact it was getting very crowded. Everyone was selling muscle cars by 1968, but despite this, Pontiac still had a very good year with the GTO, selling some 87,684 units, the second-best year ever for the GTO. Per US law, all 1968 vehicles sold in the US, GTOs included, now had to have front shoulder belts and side marker lights. The front disk brake option included 4-piston calipers.


1968 Pontiac GTO SPECIFICATIONS

Model

Body style

Model # / Body style #

Production

Price when new

Wheelbase

Length

Track, front

Track, rear

Weight

ENGINE OPTIONS    

WS-code

WT-code

WW-code

XM-code

XP-code

XS-code

YS-code

YZ-code

1968 Pontiac GTO

2-door Hardtop

242 / 37

77,704

$3,101

112.0 in

200.7 in

60.0 in

60.0 in

3,506 lbs

400ci OHV V8 w/1X4bbl

400ci OHV V8 w/1X4bbl

400ci OHV V8 w/1X4bbl

400ci OHV V8 w/1X2bbl

400ci OHV V8 w/1X4bbl

400ci OHV V8 w/1X4bbl

400ci OHV V8 w/1X4bbl

400ci OHV V8 w/1X4bbl

1968 Pontiac GTO

2-door Convertible

242 /67

9,980

$2,996

112.0 in

200.7 in

60.0 in

60.0 in

3,346 lbs

Manual, 366 hp / 445 lb/ft

Manual, 360 hp / 445 lb/ft

Manual, 350 hp / 430 lb/ft

Automatic, 265 hp / 397 lb/ft

Automatic, 366 hp / 445 lb/ft

Manual, 366 hp / 445 lb/ft

Automatic, 350 hp / 430 lb/ft

Automatic, 366 hp / 445 lb/ft