GTO Barn Find

[427freak]

Stumbled on a Barn Find. 69 GTO hardtop. Original family owned since new. This is how the car sits and the PHS concurs, original black paint, falling off, no vinyl top, WT 350 hp 400 engine, 4 speed Muncie w Hurst shifter, pwr steering, pdb, rally II wheels, hood tach, 3:55 posi, AM radio, 8 track, center console, headrests, black interior, original jack and handle and spare rally in the trunk, orig black and gold plates. Built at Fremont CA plant and sold new at Roy Carver Pontiac in Costa Mesa Ca. Owner says it came with redlines, has Shelby Cal 500 mags on it now with dead tires. I will throw some pics up as soon as it sits in my shop. Been sitting for a while, I want to fire it up and drive it. I am a sucker for this stuff.

[mssl72]

Sounds like a neat find! I look forward to the pics!

[427freak]

Thanks Mark, keep in mind &quot;Beauty is in the eye of the beholder&quot; <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/burnout.gif

[Postsedan]

Pics, Pics, Pics Please.

Engine Pics too <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Congrats !

Dan

[Big Block Bill]

Story's tell Story's, But Pictures are what we all Dream of! Congrats! We ALL need to be so lucky.

Bill

[427freak]

I'm working on them. It was raining here half the day and caused a little delay.

[mssl72]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427freak</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks Mark, keep in mind &quot;Beauty is in the eye of the beholder&quot; <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/burnout.gif </div></div>

I thought the saying was &quot;beauty is in the eye of the beer holder&quot;. I have one standing by when the pictures are posted. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[427freak]

Mark, you might need 2 or 3.
Finally got here late today. Spent most time killing spiders. Tried loading a few pics and wasn't working for me today. Going to bed. Be back tomorrow.

[427freak]

I'll put up a couple now, I have to leave for work. More later

[mockingbird812]

cool and cool Dana. Congrats. Black was a special order in '69, right?

[427freak]

Thanks Sam,
I am not a GTO expert, but I think Starlight Black was on the list for 69. Not Spcl order, and I like it...

[442w30]

Black was RPO.

[njsteve]

It was 1972 and 1973 when black was a special order (for the F-Bodies at least).

[427freak]

More pics. Orig air cleaner, sway bar, intake and starter?

[427freak]

Trying to add more but it will only take jpg not jpeg?

[427freak]

GTO trim tag

[427freak]

Engine vin matches car, heads are dated correct as well as intake, has Edelbrock intake now with MSD ignition, headers, came with 750 Holley, looking for quadrajet, trans vin matches. Pans and frame are dry and nice, glass orig except for windshield, owner said it ran when parked. We will see. Turns over nice. Block close-up shows vin to the left and numbers to the right 026975 ? and WT stamp below those. Anyone know what the 5 stamped on the trim tag is?

[427freak]

Plates still good for car.

[mssl72]

Cool! Looking good so far Dana!

[427freak]

Thanks Mark
Come on over and help me kill spiders, creeping me out... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/no.gif

[MosportGreen66]

Nice find! Love the patina... clean, make safe and enjoy!

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427freak</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Trying to add more but it will only take jpg not jpeg? </div></div>

If you figure this out please let me know.... I can't post pics from my IPhone any more:-( probably operator error:-)

Ryan

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MosportGreen66</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Nice find! Love the patina... clean, make safe and enjoy! </div></div>

&quot;Clean, make safe, and enjoy!!&quot; Makes sense to me!!!

Ryan

[cook_dw]

Sweet absolutely love it.. I see another preservation!! Maybe a repaint if the paint is trash..??.. Great score!!

[njsteve]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427freak</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> Block close-up shows vin to the left and numbers to the right 026975 ? and WT stamp below those. Anyone know what the 5 stamped on the trim tag is? </div></div>

The &quot;5&quot; is most likely an inspector's stamp. Shouldn't the VIN be down at the bottom, front of the block, not on the top by then EUN (engine unit number and WT engine code)?


http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/02/full-1359-39468-gtoblock1.jpg


http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/02/full-1359-39467-enginestart.jpg

[DaJudge]

The Fremont plant did not always put the VIN down in the standard position next to the timing cover. I have had two Fremont cars and the VIN was below and to the left of the two letter engine code.One was a 69 and the other was a 70.

[PeteLeathersac]

SC<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/drool.gifRE!!!
Big congrats Dana and looking forward to more!
<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
~ Pete

[Tracker1]

Nice Dana - great find! Built a month before mine - mine is the earliest Ram Air car known, 12D. Similarly equipped as yours except mine no P/S, no disc brakes - great replacement for going to the gym. And the Ram Air engine of course. Clean yours up and drive it - beauty!

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/02/full-3497-39472-img_0811.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/02/full-3497-39473-img_2379.jpg

[earntaz]

Napalm -- works every time! Actually, get some RAID spray. Many times when I visit salvage yard looking for pieces-parts, my tool bag includes RAID Wasp spray. TAZ

[njsteve]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DaJudge</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> The Fremont plant did not always put the VIN down in the standard position next to the timing cover. I have had two Fremont cars and the VIN was below and to the left of the two letter engine code.One was a 69 and the other was a 70. </div></div>

Neat info. I learn something new every day!

[427freak]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ryan1969Chevelle</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427freak</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Trying to add more but it will only take jpg not jpeg? </div></div>

If you figure this out please let me know.... I can't post pics from my IPhone any more:-( probably operator error:-)

Ryan </div></div>

Ryan
I used this converter and it worked great. Very fast too. Also reduces the pic just a bit so it fits better here. Oh, and it is free!
http://image.online-convert.com/convert-to-jpg

[427freak]

Thanks Guys
I was planning to just clean up and make safe like you suggested. Showing 43k on the odometer, ?? Steering wheel and door panels are nice, crack in dash, drivers seat torn and headliner hanging down. If I address those interior will be nice. Got some 8 tracks with it, seller said it works.
When I finally started looking hard at the car it was dark out and I had the lights on, I sprayed the underside liberally with Raid and a minute later all these black and brown widows started coming the down from the car slowly dying and then I spot sprayed of course. Spiders don't usually bother me but it was night and I was alone in shop and I started feeling them in my mind landing on me. Does that ever happen to you. I fogged the car last night. Cleaned them out pretty good.
Learning a lot of Pontiac info here, thanks, so if the earliest Ram Air car was 12D, does that mean the highest HP engine before that was 350 hp, or was it just the hood option added?? Also, Tracker1 Des, your Black car is so similar to this one, crazy...

[Tracker1]

SPIDERS ARE AWFUL.

Yes your interior looks EXACTLY like mine - 3 chrome gauges hung from bottom of dash and 8 track sitting on the console, everything - I thought I was looking at my own car.

I do find it hard to believe that there isn't an earlier ram air car than mine , but so far no. The Pontiac guys have not yet nailed down the point of availability for Ram Air motors for 1969 model year - it was a whole new system for '69 with the interior driver-operated pull cable and hood flappers and its availability may have been delayed.

But your engine - being a 4-speed car - is functionally equipped with the same engine as a Ram Air III - (does it have #48 heads?) just without all the induction paraphernalia and foam air cleaner stuff...the automatics had a different (tamer) cam, heads and gearing than 4-speeds so is considered more &quot;sluggish&quot;

[442w30]

Des, not sure I'm feeling the characterization of the similarities between the two engines.

It's my understanding that the carb is different between the two.

Plus, the heads and cam were different in the beginning of the year, but eventually the RAIII was downgraded to feature the same cam and heads as the 400/350 MT.

[Tracker1]

Diego , not gonna get into the dates of running changes
Of the swap from the 744 cam to the 068 cam in the III engine
(Customer complaints to GM re cold start problems) but yes that happened.
And the carbs have a different number on the body BUT
Have Very little functionally different and the 7028273 carb has been found on
Some WT coded 4 speed non ram air cars. The heads were 48s on both
Engines at that time that the two cars were built in late '68 I assure you.

[427freak]

Des
Yes it has the 48 heads and I believe came with a 066 cam? Thanks for the Ram info making more sense to me now.

[Rixls6]

Cool find. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif
Look forward to how it cleans up.

[Xplantdad]

Very cool Dana!

[GTO_DON]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tracker1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Diego , not gonna get into the dates of running changes
Of the swap from the 744 cam to the 068 cam in the III engine
(Customer complaints to GM re cold start problems) but yes that happened.
And the carbs have a different number on the body BUT
Have Very little functionally different and the 7028273 carb has been found on
Some WT coded 4 speed non ram air cars. The heads were 48s on both
Engines at that time that the two cars were built in late '68 I assure you.
</div></div>Just for the record the Ram air cars had 48 heads which is correct but had a slightly stiffer spring setup for the 068 cam and had a different distributor,better flowing ram air exhaust manifolds and the carb was jetted differently to give you the boost in horsepower. Personally I've never come across a WT motor to ever have a 273 carb but never say never with a pontiac.

[Tracker1]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GTO_DON</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tracker1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Diego , not gonna get into the dates of running changes
Of the swap from the 744 cam to the 068 cam in the III engine
(Customer complaints to GM re cold start problems) but yes that happened.
And the carbs have a different number on the body BUT
Have Very little functionally different and the 7028273 carb has been found on
Some WT coded 4 speed non ram air cars. The heads were 48s on both
Engines at that time that the two cars were built in late '68 I assure you.
</div></div>Just for the record the Ram air cars had 48 heads which is correct but had a slightly stiffer spring setup for the 068 cam and had a different distributor,better flowing ram air exhaust manifolds and the carb was jetted differently to give you the boost in horsepower. Personally I've never come across a WT motor to ever have a 273 carb but never say never with a pontiac. </div></div>

Right on, forgot about the manifolds Don - big difference there.

[flyingn]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 442w30</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Des, not sure I'm feeling the characterization of the similarities between the two engines.

It's my understanding that the carb is different between the two.

Plus, the heads and cam were different in the beginning of the year, but eventually the RAIII was downgraded to feature the same cam and heads as the 400/350 MT.
</div></div>

Don't forgot about the RA headers too. Thats another difference

[Tracker1]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: flyingn</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 442w30</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Des, not sure I'm feeling the characterization of the similarities between the two engines.

It's my understanding that the carb is different between the two.

Plus, the heads and cam were different in the beginning of the year, but eventually the RAIII was downgraded to feature the same cam and heads as the 400/350 MT.
</div></div>

Don't forgot about the RA headers too. Thats another difference </div></div>

See last post, pg. 4 flyingn

Dana, any more pics?

[427freak]

PHS

[427freak]

Looked at the spare wheel closer today. Dated 11/68 just like the car with JA disc brake 14x6 Rally II like the 68 Yenko got. Tire on it is a Mickey Thompson Indy Profile J70-14. Jack and Handle are in there too. Picked up a set of Rally II's with patina from CL for $75 yesterday. Pure luck.

[427freak]

Intake and head dates and head #48.

[mssl72]

Cool find Dana! I'll have to make a trek down to see it.

[Xplantdad]

Nice Goat Dana!

[427freak]

Thanks guys. Come on by Mark.
Bruce I'm confused, is it a Yak or a Goat?

[Xplantdad]

It can be either <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif

[JpMotorsports]

Awesome find!

[sixt9rsx33]

Is the underside undercoated? Being from CA probably not? I have had good luck soaking the underside of none undercoated cars with Simple Green then pressure washing. Amazing the cool old stuff that comes up. I would guess your car still has a lot of original marks/stencils underneath. Very cool car. Congrats!

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sixt9rsx33</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is the underside undercoated? Being from CA probably not? I have had good luck soaking the underside of none undercoated cars with Simple Green then pressure washing. Amazing the cool old stuff that comes up. I would guess your car still has a lot of original marks/stencils underneath. Very cool car. Congrats! </div></div>

Thanks for the public tip, I will try this with my car in spring.

Ryan

[chevyman0429]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427freak</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Looked at the spare wheel closer today. Dated 11/68 just like the car with JA disc brake 14x6 Rally II like the 68 Yenko got. Tire on it is a Mickey Thompson Indy Profile J70-14. Jack and Handle are in there too. Picked up a set of Rally II's with patina from CL for $75 yesterday. Pure luck. </div></div>

I have one maybe two of these Pontiac rims I'd be willing to give away ( don't know the dates) if a member needs them.

[427freak]

Undercoating, what is that? Just kidding, no undercoating on this one. Wheels are a patina match.

[grantprix]

Very cool find! Great colors and nicely optioned.

[427freak]

It's alive...
<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[Xplantdad]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427freak</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It's alive...
<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif </div></div>

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif

[Bill Pritchard]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427freak</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It's alive...
<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif </div></div>

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Very <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/cool.gif car, Dana. Looks like the hood and hinges were replaced with used blue ones.....any story on that?

[SuperNovaSS]

Or someone just painted the hood hinges blue?

Jason

[427freak]

They are blue. Who knows, I missed that fad...

[47Hammer]

Great stuff <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[jbr69gto]

Very cool score Dana. That 5 stamped in the cowl tag is usually a factory line inspectors stamp, so inspector #5 at the Fremont plant checked that car out after final assembly.

Block vin is legit, Fremont stamped those higher than other plants.

Great patina, keep and enjoy as is I'd say.

[budnate]

Dana, where the hell is the ride along video!... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif

[427freak]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: budnate</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dana, where the hell is the ride along video!... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif </div></div>

I actually got it running pretty well. After the prep it fired instantly and didn't even throw a puff of smoke. Drove it around the parking lot. That is about as far as I could take it with life right now so my friend talked me out of the car. His wife's first car was a 69 GTO so it was really her who wanted it. It is only a few minutes from me. They have scrubbed it up and it looks good. I will get pics or video for you.