Vehicle Description
1968 Pontiac Executive Hardtop
Wide was the word for Pontiac again in 1968, and Wide Track was
still its phrase. The entire Pontiac division was set to move
forward into the future on a broader path. In the case of the
second year 1968 Executive, width met up with length and largesse.
Available as a hardtop with either two or four doors, a four door
sedan, and as either a six or nine passenger station wagon, the
Executive, which was born from the previous Star Chief Executive,
was clearly targeted at the Pontiac owner who wanted a full size
car at a compact price. It matched the width and length of the
mighty Bonneville, but for less money. In fact, so considerable was
its length that its 10-foot wheelbase was overshadowed by nearly 19
feet of car. Dealer literature from 1968 bears out the Executive
approach. The car was touted as an example of the engineering and
styling departments joining forces in order to prove that a
luxurious automobile need not carry a price tag out of reach for
the average buyer.
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 applique 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....
256878P366444
2-Pontiac
56-Executive
87-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
8-1968
P-Pontiac, MI Assy Plant
366444-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
07C-3rd Week July
ST 68 25687-1968 Executive 2 Door Hardtop
BODY PON1865-Pontiac Body #
TR 529-Black Vinyl
PAINT T2-Primavera Beige, Black Top
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visi...for more
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