[trophy421]

Here is a pic of a new '68 GTO. It probably has the standard engine, but the pipes appear to be angle cut, even though it's hard to see it clearly in this pic.

[dataway]

Neither here nor there ... but I remember the day I bought my 68 in 1976 and it annoyed me that it had nerdy looking straight cut pipes instead of cool slash cut pipes. I knew the exhaust had been replaced with cheapo pipes when I saw they were straight cut.

[68gtoMN]

Just to be clear, zero criticism of this car. It was just something that I had not previously seen.

Prototype pictures showing bent exhaust, but no angle cut (prototype pictures - scroll to section 2 for 1968)
http://www.musclecarfilms.com/Pontiac_Promo_Errors.html

Here's what I recall of these cars growing up and friends with original cars - never saw an angle cut

Notice exhaust pipes here. Un-restored original 68 GTO "Only things ever changed was front brakes, water pump, and rear shocks. Everything else is the way it came from the factory."

HOWEVER, the GTO restoration guide shows original parts and illustrations that appear to show an angled cut. I'm going to pull back and accept that this car is correct until proven wrong.

[dataway]

I have no idea if the exhaust system had been replaced or not ...but here is a photo of the rear of my 68 the day I bought it in May 1976.

[BB70]

[BB70]

Hate to keep this thread offtrack from its original post, but possibly the reason for the slash versus the no slash may be due to the replacement tails were bent on a machine from a straight stick of tubing and the slash wasn't done to it . I know when we were slow I was bending pipes for stock on a machine using bend cards. It was alot cheaper than purchasing prebent pipes. Back then mufflers and tail pipes didn't last very long at all.

[dataway]

That is certainly a dark blue.
Anyone know what kind of paint on it? Look kinda like a single stage. Has kind of a factory look to it.

[MikeNoun]

Here's a couple original photos, taken on or very near the day the car was brought home from the dealer.

I have a lot more original 1968 GTO photos, but not many pics of the back end of a new 1968 GTO. Must be that Endura front bumper that garnered all the attention...

Mike

[MikeNoun]

1968 GTO at the Chicago Auto Show.

[The Boss]

This picture of mine is the best shot I've got that shows the tips.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by dataway

That is certainly a dark blue.
Anyone know what kind of paint on it? Look kinda like a single stage. Has kind of a factory look to it.

Ad says base coat/clear coat.

K

[dataway]

Looks like the BC/CC was done in such a way as to not be too shiny, too deep. To my eye, looks like a believable factory paint job on the upper end of typical factory quality.

[PurelyGTO68]

Originally Posted by Judge273

I see that price is up there and beyond some 69 RAIV 4 speed Judge with numbers...

I would expect a numbers matching RAII car of this caliber to be in the same ballpark as a RAIV Judge. RAIV cars are always available for sale somewhere....RAII cars are hard to find and even harder to find for sale IMO...

[PurelyGTO68]

Originally Posted by 68gtoMN

Just to be clear, zero criticism of this car. It was just something that I had not previously seen.

.....

HOWEVER, the GTO restoration guide shows original parts and illustrations that appear to show an angled cut. I'm going to pull back and accept that this car is correct until proven wrong.

Agree. I looked at the restoration guide and it looks like the tips are angle cut to me as well. I did see a note that says automatic cars received 2" pipes while manual transmission cars had 2 1/4" dia pipes. That is something I wasn't aware of until just recently. Also worth noting that exhaust tip extensions were available as an RPO option....so some cars may have those and be correct (depending what the PHS says....)

Very nice car though....I happen to like the color quite a bit. I didn't think the accelerator pedal was supposed to have the stainless trim but I looked at my car and sure enough, the trim is there so I learned something new once again.

[trishieldchief]

Originally Posted by PurelyGTO68

I would expect a numbers matching RAII car of this caliber to be in the same ballpark as a RAIV Judge. RAIV cars are always available for sale somewhere....RAII cars are hard to find and even harder to find for sale IMO...

I disagree with this statement,a 68 Ram Air II 4 speed GTO is not in the same league / value as a 69 Ram Air IV 4 speed GTO Judge in the same condition.

[PurelyGTO68]

Originally Posted by trishieldchief

I disagree with this statement,a 68 Ram Air II 4 speed GTO is not in the same league / value as a 69 Ram Air IV 4 speed GTO Judge in the same condition.

I understand your point of view. You may be correct. My opinion stems from the fact that GTO Judges never impressed me....even way back when I was first learning and lusting after muscle cars. I see Judges on a fairly regular basis and I usually just stroll on by. The last Judge that I was impressed with was a '69 RAV built by Purely PMD back in the 80s.....I thought that was a pretty cool car and was even lucky enough to help out (very slightly) with that build.

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[68gtoMN]

This is why I love this board and the hobby. I stand corrected. My recollection was not correct. Angle tips it is!

[Diego]

I'm with Rich on this - not that I know values well, but I'd think a RAII and RAIV would be priced similarly. A Judge with RAIV exceeds both.

[Judge273]

Originally Posted by PurelyGTO68

I understand your point of view. You may be correct. My opinion stems from the fact that GTO Judges never impressed me....even way back when I was first learning and lusting after muscle cars. I see Judges on a fairly regular basis and I usually just stroll on by. The last Judge that I was impressed with was a '69 RAV built by Purely PMD back in the 80s.....I thought that was a pretty cool car and was even lucky enough to help out (very slightly) with that build.

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Why hasn't someone snatched this up? Pricey?

eBay kind of lessen the aura?

[PurelyGTO68]

Originally Posted by Judge273

Why hasn't someone snatched this up? Pricey?

eBay kind of lessen the aura?

Good point. I would speculate that Jim set the price based on the recent RAII sale at BJ of a not original engine car that went for $110k (with buyers premium). This car has the original drivetrain and is a Jim Mattison car......both of which add some extra value to an otherwise nice car. Does it add nearly 40%? Probably not, but it wouldn't surprise me if he eventually found a buyer willing to pay north of $130k or even perhaps more. The eBay ad says "or best offer" so presumably a lower offer could buy the car.