We now know what eventually happened to the GTO in the first half of the new decade, but Pontiac still hoped to rescue its iconic model in the early ’70s.
The GM brand turned it into a Le Mans package in 1972, using the same approach a year later when its sales went through the roof. However, while Pontiac’s sales got close to 920K units, the GTO collapsed even more, with only 4,816 units shipped to customers.
The Sport Coupe accounted for 4,312 cars, while the coupe was ordered by only 494 customers. The GTO package carried a price tag of $368 on top of the base Le Mans that could be had for $3,406 in the base configuration and $3,493 in the Sport version.
The GTO was now available with only two engine choices. The first unit was a 400ci V8 with 230 horsepower, while the latter was a 455ci big-block engine with 250 horsepower.
The GTO in these photos sports a 400ci unit, but I’m certain the first thing you’ll find unusual is that it still has an engine. The car looks rough, but eBay seller dblei14 doesn’t share any specifics to let us know how the GTO ended up in this condition.
It’s this close to becoming a rust bucket, and the seller admits that “the body, the frame, and the interior are in really bad shape.” This GTO has likely been sitting for many years outside, and this is how the rust reached all the metal.
Detailing its condition makes no sense, as aside from the rusty parts, this GTO also has missing parts, possibly as it previously served as a donor for other projects. However, the powertrain someone survived, and the GTO still has a matching numbers driveline.
The 400ci V8 engine is paired with Muncie 4-speed transmission, but I wouldn’t see this as good news. The engine can’t come in good shape, and I wouldn’t be surprised to discover that it’s already locked up from sitting. This GTO is unlikely to have moved in decades, and considering it looks to be parked in a yard or a small junkyard, the metal issues make sense.
The odometer indicates 22,260 miles, but without more specifics, it’s impossible to tell if this is when the car was forgotten or the odometer has rolled over.
The selling price makes a huge difference and could become a roadblock for this GTO to return to the road. Fortunately, the owner is realistic that saving this specimen is incredibly difficult, so they are selling it at no reserve. The auction begins at $2,000 and will end in 6 days. The car is parked in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, and will require transportation to move from its current home to your garage.
