There will doubtlessly be debate about whether a 1969 Pontiac A-body in brown is worth $18k, but set that aside for a moment and consider this car: The Custom S replaced the 1968 Pontiac Tempest Custom, and slotted between the Pontiac Tempest and the Pontiac Lemans in the seemingly never-ending array of trims in Pontiac’s A-body lineup. http://york.craigslist.org/cto/4506032079.htmlTo add to the weirdness, this one is equipped with the standard Pontiac OHC-6, with a three-speed manual on the column.
The Custom S was aimed directly at either cheapskates, or young guys unable to pony up the scratch for some of the more expensive Pontiac muscle car models. At the time, the GTO started out at $3,500, and could easily run into the $4,500 range. The Custom S was available at a starting price under $3,000.
The Custom S nameplate lasted just a year. In 1970, it was replaced by a confusing array of Tempest and LeMans trim levels. The closest to the original vision of the Custom S as a “Junior Musclecar” was the GT-37 option, which started with a 350 and was available with a 400.
This example — for sale on Craigslist in York, Pennsylvania — has just 50,000 miles, and nothing about its condition suggests that the stated mileage is incorrect. The interior is in super condition and the paint and vinyl top looks great. About the only condition issue is the engine bay, which could use a solid detailing.
Unfortunately, this super-low-trim Custom S doesn’t have the Sprint package, which would’ve gotten the OHC-6 up to 230hp with a four-speed manual transmission.
I pray to god that someone doesn’t make it a GTO clone. Those ’69 LeMans are getting rare. We own one and rarely see another at a car show
So what if another one gets modified ? Like I said below … this car is all but worthless beyond the body and frame providing a foundation for which to build something significant out of . You may have an emotional attachment to the car for what ever reason but the rest of the world could not care less . And anyway . As Big Sid so often said and I’ve so often quoted ;
” Stock is a can of beans on a shelf ” 😉
I agree clones suck. Yet I have no problem chopping it up in order to save a real GTO.
Interesting, but certainly not 18K interesting. Maybe 4k interesting if the rust is low.
look a t37
It was a good platform to build a “Jr. GTO” using the H.O. 350 with a 4 speed. There were no special emblems when you ordered the H.O. 350 nor any of the “bling” that was on the GTO. Save some money and have a competitive street racer.
Saving $500 to $700 doesn’t sound like a lot today but when you take into account inflation, that translates to $3,230 to $4,522 in 2014 dollars.
So what if its rare ? In this car’s case its rare because nobody in their right minds wanted one and the few that did trashed them or modified them because they figured out after a few thousand mile were pretty much worthless .
‘ Rarity ‘ is no guarantee/indicator of value . Desirable is the key phrase needed to boost a cars value and make it a ‘ collectable ‘ regardless of how many were built or survive
So yeah . With this pig . For less than $4k … hot rod the heck out of the thing and make it your own
For $14k though ? Give it a rest !
The car shown on here is not “rare” in the way of being valuable. The Custom S was an experiment by Pontiac to try to get a few more bucks from a Tempest buyer. Guess what? It didn’t work, and that’s why it was a 1 year only model. But it’s just a trim package.
Having a “3 on the tree” isn’t going to motivate someone (with more brains than money) to do a full restoration.
And I agree with you and all the others in thinking that this car is way over priced at $18K. Even half that is asking a lot. Bad color, bad trans setup – the only things in it’s favor are the OHC 6 and it being a Custom S.
It is rare for a reason, nobody wanted it.
The Sprint Package “Big Horsepower” OHC would give a GTO a “FIT” until about 80 MPH.
Remember the day
I too had a LeMans sport with a 350 but this is the first I’ve ever heard of the over head cam 6 ?
I thought I had the smallest mill !
John Z. DeLorean’s idea of a European sports car engine – the OHC 6 Sprint engine. It has a 4bbl carb on it BTW.
The Sprint featured high-compression pistons, a hotter cam, dual valve springs, a split/dual exhaust manifold, a better coil, and it utilized the then new Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor.
It was introduced with the 1966 cars and ended production with the 1969 cars.
I like it, but don’t $18,000 like it. Some Pontiac enthusiest will preserve it just the way it is. This thing would win trophies at a Pontiac show. Custom S OHC 6 with 3 on the tree. COOL!!! I don’t care what anybody says.
Sprint 6 was fun sleeper option on these but 4 spd was better tranny. Sr year at Ohio State, I had 67 Sprint 4 spd, classmate had 68 Sprint 3 spd. He needed to drive in 3rd @ 35 (which was speed limit on most roads) plugs fouled
This one is way overpriced. Not bad if it were Sprint w 4 spd for they are rare
Some things should be left alone. This thing is cool just as it is
It’s a $3-4 base vehicle to make a fun old street machine or footbrake drag car, other than that it’s just an old “oops model” car.
OMG, look at the gap between the gas and brake!
I’m torn between leaving it as is, or dropping a 455 HO into it. It is cool the way it is, but not $18 k worth.
Neat car , I like it & hope it remains the odd ball it is but i don’t know where they came up with that price. Just for comparison in the latest issue of the Pontiac Oakland Club Int. monthly mag there is a 1969 Lemans convertible Sprint 6 in the same brown that has an older but meticulous restoration. I know the car, its a consistent winner at Pontiac events and it is stunning. You couldn’t build it for 50K. The asking price is 19K.
This child typically goes through life feeling dependent on constant validation from others, because he’s lacked the parental supplies of affection and
praise, from which he would have learned to self-validate.
There is nothing wrong with that; however, well known universities rarely offer this kind of deal.
And distortions in the template are what manifest into brain imbalances in the biological system.