1968 Pontiac Executive Hardtop
For consignment, a second year 1968 version of the Executive that represents, in my opinion, one of the nicest design years in the history of this car. With its split front grille, Pontiac "beak" breaking it up, dual side by side headlights, sleek rear with integrated tail lights and along with a clean interior, this example is a keeper. Coming to our Hallowed Halls with an unbelievable 15,599 title verified actual miles and an upgraded 400ci V8, this big budget minded Pontiac is ready to roll you into Wide Track luxury. Add in recent body work and a new paint job, a new interior, a power front disc brake conversion, and new suspension components all make this fun to drive and A ticket ride for sure.
Exterior
A color change coating of Springmist Green was recently applied and holds its own covering the big steel panels of this large and in charge cruiser. The panels are mostly straight and the paint is nice and consistently applied, and there is a lot of it to look at. The only real faults to note are a scuff on the left corner of the rear bumper and some scratching in the windshield. From the side view it appears as a 2 door spaceship with a swept back B pillar, and long, long trunk and hood and inset bumpers in chrome, it could be moving at warp speed. Adding to the spaceship mystique are the slotted and turbine style wheel covers and 215/70R14 thin white stripe sidewalls all in nearly new 14-inch format. A stainless rocker trim which covers the bottom from the front well rearward continues on the rear quarters and adds a nice highlight to the bottom end of this Starship Enterprise which is perfectly accentuated by the mid body beltline bump out. Areas of interest that are truly noteworthy are the chrome bumper beak and spaceship style tail panel.
Interior
Clean and original black door panels made up of tuck and roll vertical ribs and some nice trimming along with chrome window cranks. A white split back front bench, and another bench for the back are all in nicely preserved vinyl and make up the passenger compartment. Obviously well cared for and as per our consignor new, as the interior does not show much use. A wood appliqu© dash with plenty of chromed highlighting is slightly patinaed and all functioning. A factory clock and AM radio are all within the factory stock dash and the top dash is covered with a black crack free padded vinyl. Factory A/C is within the early "climate control" pushbuttons and wheel control. With the wood applique and thin bezels throughout, along with a black steering column and clean and black plastic 3 spoke steering wheel this car is a stunner for the interior. A bold move down below with white carpet covering the floors, and a sagging black headliner floats above. Beam me up Scotty.
Drivetrain
A pop of the large and long hood and we are in the presence of a nicely preserved patina engine bay, within which is a correct and numbers matching YC stamped 400ci V8. This light blue block is topped with same colored valve covers, has a black single snout air cleaner and has nice supple shiny rubber hoses, like new wires, and some snazzy blue spark plug wiring showing up showing wrapping around the valve covers. Below the air cleaner is an upgraded 650cfm AVSII 4-barrel carburetor and strapped to the back is the numbers matching TH400 3-speed automatic transmission. Power goes rearward to a 10 bolt rear axle with 2.73 gearing. "I'm giving her all she's got, Captain."
Undercarriage
Setting our phasers to stun-ned, the undercarriage is clean and mean with very little surface rust and a nice application of black paint. All structurally sound underneath, and noted are independent coil springs upfront, and a 4 link with coil springs on the rear to provide the glide ride this car is famous for. Our consignor notes that new ball joints, shocks and sway bar bushings were recently installed. An upgrade to power front disc brakes are noted along with rebuilt power drums bringing up the tail end of things, and all is well underneath, including a rust free like new stock style single exhaust system.
Drive-Ability
Past history allowed me to step to the front of the test drive line and frankly my sheer girth doesn't hurt in this process either, and I loved every minute of it. I spent much time reminiscing about my misguided youth and my time spent in the rear seat of my parents' Bonneville with my arm candy of the day, but I digress. This one started right up, idled smoothly, and when shifted into gear took off with V8 4-barrel power. It is a large car, and will not carve a curve, but then again it is a cruiser with plenty of cubic inches to romp around in and utilize under the hood. A super smooth ride with the radio, horn, wipers, heater blower, clock and reverse lights and AC being non functional, but this car will literally cruise all day at highway speed and can carry a family on long trips. While on one, don't forget to pull over, have a sandwich and pop the hood for the engine to cool faster before returning to the interstate. Is that a 60's thing? As it is highly illogical when really thinking about it. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
All in all a nice ride, recent body and paint, clean chrome, a new interior, and an engine which ticks like a clock. Plenty of room to play in, and the iconic Pontiac look with its split grille, "beak" and stacked headlights, and a wonderful interior to boot. Speaking of boot, prior to your purchase I'll move my 1 bedroom furniture out of the trunk, but for now it's staying. "Live long and prosper" Aye Aye Spock....
