[INJUNTOM]

I remember hearing about a few being built for '68 or '69. Did they really do that?

If so, was the bumper and grille the same as a LeMans or was it different?

A guy I know ended up with a barn find one that the old guy swears came off a GTO back in the day and got parted out when it got rearended.

I'm supposing it's the same as LeMans and maybe not that desirable...

[marxjunk]

try doing a search, theres some info already talked about on the subject

[robz]

'68 only (not '69) and they were called Endura Delete option. This was due to poor painting process on the first ones (cracking, etc) so Pontiac decided to replace them with Chrome until they fixed the issue...Not sure exactly how many got them...I believe you were able to order the chrome version in '68 even after they resolved the endura paint issue...

[steve v]

The Endura delete was a no cost '68 GTO option. I think it was more for the buying public that possibly felt a painted ~ rubber coated front bumper would never hold up. Pontiac was smart & offered the chrome nose for those not sold on the new endura material.

[68gtoMN]

2108 units created with this option of the 87,684, or 2.4% and 1968 was the second highest production year for GTOs

[Half-Inch Stud]

My understanding is the Chrome & Grills were identical to 68 LeMans. Leaves the issue of the GTO Grill emblem does not match the Pontiac Emblem.
So was there a grill mod, a unique driver Grill emblem bossing, or a unique GTO emblem?

[68gtoMN]

I have such a chrome nosed car. It is not here for me to check. However, I believe that the GTO emblem was the same as on the endura GTO.

[Aus Goat]

My understanding is the Chrome & Grills were identical to 68 LeMans. Leaves the issue of the GTO Grill emblem does not match the Pontiac Emblem.
So was there a grill mod, a unique driver Grill emblem bossing, or a unique GTO emblem?

The GTO badge on the front of mine is from a 67 GTO ( 2 pin ) it fitted the 2 holes for the old PONTIAC badge with no issues( Lemans Bar)
Unless there was a special grill made ? i doubt it.
I think when the paint on the endrua bar was not holding, Pontiac when to fire fighting mode . Put chrome noses on the GTO's use 67 badges and get them out the door.
I don't think chrome bars on 68 GTO's was on the agenda when they released the model.
It was more of getting the cars out the door now and fix the problem.Then stop chrome noses.
I ordered a 1968 GTO badge when i first got my car and found out it was a 3 pin ?
After scratching my head going what the !! thats when i found out about endrua delete.

i might be wrong ?

[Half-Inch Stud]

Aus GTO: You may be right, with a worthwhile response.

[69goatboy]

I thought that the chrome bumper was a color specific thing in 68.

Something to do with certain colors not being available with the correct flex formula to adhere properly to the endura material.

[gto4door]

'68 chrome nosed GTO sitting in backyard.

[Aus Goat]

68 chrome nosed GTO sitting in backyard.

how old are the pictures

[gto4door]

Originally Posted by Aus Goat

how old are the pictures

Aus Goat,
I came across those pictures on the internet while doing some research for an upcoming article for my Pontiac website. From what I know, those pictures were taken in 2009 by an aspiring young photographer who shoots artistic type scenery pics in and around North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. I kind of wish I knew where that GTO is located, so I can scoop it up.

[Aus Goat]

I thought that the chrome bumper was a color specific thing in 68.

ok guys can we list them
solar red - chrome nose

[68gtoMN]

Originally Posted by 69goatboy

I thought that the chrome bumper was a color specific thing in 68.

Something to do with certain colors not being available with the correct flex formula to adhere properly to the endura material.

Negative. It was a "paint will not affix" to the bumper thing. My endura delete is Verdoro green. Sheldon's is also.

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by 68gtoMN

Negative. It was a "paint will not affix" to the bumper thing. My endura delete is Verdoro green. Sheldon's is also.

I think what goatboy is getting confused about is the fact that some of the special order colors were only available with the chrome bumper in '68. Like that weird Pink color they had in '68. Otherwise, the chrome bumper was available with any color car in '68 if the buyer desired it.

[PaulatFast]

Greg is correct, the four late year special color cars all recieved the chrome bumper, the one I owned was Carnival Red.

Edit... not sure all those colors were mandatory with the chrome bumper... wasn't the dark blue one of those colors? I know I've seen a couple of those with painted noses... don't know if they were original or not.

[69goatboy]

Originally Posted by 68gtoMN

Negative. It was a "paint will not affix" to the bumper thing. My endura delete is Verdoro green. Sheldon's is also.

I believe that's what I meant, that certain colors simply did not have the correct formula to adhere properly to the endura material. Hence those cars in those colors had to get the chrome version.

So, since your Verdoro has the endura delete, does that mean ALL 68 Verdoro's were endura delete? Or was the endura delete on your's (and Sheldon's) were so ordered by the original customer(s)?

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 69goatboy

So, since your Verdoro has the endura delete, does that mean ALL 68 Verdoro's were endura delete?...

Of course not -

In fact, here's a very famous Verdoro green '68 GTO that is not an endura delete:

[Keith Seymore]

My recollection is that it was a regional thing, also. For example, states with high heat forced the endura delete as well.

When our '68 GTO was new we took off for a vacation in Florida. I remember that the car was literally mobbed when we would try to drive through the small towns, because people had not seen a GTO yet with the endura bumper.

I should also add we had to have the nose of our car painted two or three times during the five years we owned it.

K