1968 Pontiac GTO Royal Bobcat Tribute

1968 Pontiac GTO Royal Bobcat Tribute

So if you consider the term Goat, it indicates an animal that can eat anything, while the Pontiac GTO is known for "eating anything on the street", as a nod to its power and capability of beating other cars while racing.

For consignment, a Royal Bobcat GTO from 1968. This car is a tribute car to the dealership, Royal, who's owner realized he could increase horsepower on his Pontiacs he had at his dealership by putting better parts on them. He quickly gained a reputation for speed and hence the Royal Bobcat GTO was born. More horsepower translated into more and younger sales of vehicles for his dealership. Our consignment pays this tribute to these GTOs of yore with a frame off restoration and now with a 400ci V8.

ExteriorOur tribute car starts off with a hidden headlight horizontal ribbed split grille. This has a GTO badge and is split in the middle by the Pontiac "beak". This beak forms a bump that runs to the windshield and along the way sports 2 air scoops and a hood mounted tachometer. Straight steel for all the rust-free panels and all bathed in miles deep black. Shiny window trimmings and bumpers, the rear housing the taillights within it. On the doors a red and white pinstripe which begins at the edge of the front quarter, runs to mid door where it ends with a Royal Bobcat badge within a fading checkered flag. Nice stainless steel polished trim for the wheel well surrounds and rocker trim. A nicely sloping rear window gently makes its way to the trunk line and it almost forms a hatchback look. Dual pipes are peeking out from underneath the bumper and 14-inch rally 2 wheels are wrapped by red line rubber.

InteriorOpening the doors takes us past black vinyl paneled doors that have pristine black padded armrests, shiny actuators, and power window toggles. This interior was also the beneficiary of a complete restoration, and it looks the part. Nice black vinyl buckets with some tuck and roll inserts and smooth bolsters are curved nicely to meet the headrests which nestle on the tops of the buckets. A center console/armrest, covered in black rests between the buckets. In back a wide bench in the same design and in black stretches from side to side. Upfront the dash has been restored and now is showing very clean and very original looking. A black padded dash top floats over a wood appliqu dash front housing the triple round deep-set gauge cluster fronted by an original steering wheel. As we move across the dash, we find the factory radio in the center, and for the passenger a wood appliqu door glovebox. Below the dash is a trio of aftermarket gauges and just below these is a white ball topped Hurst shifter. Carpeting is like new, and a black headliner is hanging tightly above.

DrivetrainUnder the hood and the ram air cleaner topped 400ci V8 is in these tight quarters. This mill is from 1976 as the code goes. There is a single 4-barrel carburetor on top forcing fossils and air through a ported intake manifold. Behind is a 4-speed manual Muncie M21 tranny. Final drive works out to be a 10-bolt 3.90 posi rear axle. All looking good and showroom under this hood.

UndercarriageIt always fascinates this writer when a frame off restoration was completed, and you can view a virtually new frame and mechanical environment. This one does not disappoint as we gaze upon a new fuel tank, new dual Walker mufflers and straight black floor pans and toe kicks. Independent coil springs provide the ride for the front, and on the back is a 4 link with coil springs. Power disc brakes for the front and power drums for the rear. Very nice under here.

Drive-AbilityShe fires right and as I put my foot into it the 400 cubes spring to life. Here I experienced wonderful acceleration, smooth shifting and easy power steering. Braking was solid and all functions were working just dandy.

A tribute to the early days of muscle car performance in the form of a Royal Bobcat Goat. Frame off restoration has been performed, and all you have to do is get in and turn the key and start showing off.

VIN DECODE242378G1124642-Pontiac42-GTO37-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe8-1968G-Framingham, MA Assy Plant112464-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG11C-3rd Week November BuildST 68 24237-1968 GTO 2 Door Hardtop Sport CoupeBDY FRA29941-Framingham Body #TR 224-Parchment Vinyl BucketsPNT Gg-April Gold

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.