1968 Pontiac Gto Once Owned By Val Kilmer Heads To Auction With Upgrades

Once owned by Val Kilmer, a 1968 Pontiac GTO convertible will land at an auction, an event held by Mecum Auctions during Monterey Car Week. Everybody loves a decent muscle car, and the Pontiac GTO aptly falls into such a category. Those who love Val Kilmer will be especially drawn to this 1968 model with his name attached. The Iceman drove the car, and Mecum Auctions is proudly displaying the fact in its marketing efforts to promote the upcoming Monterey Car Week auction. A full roster of past owners have claimed the ride, and the more recent ones have given the car a well-deserved makeover. The Iceman’s former drop-top is a crowd-pleaser and will be sure to garner top dollar from buyers hoping to own a piece of automotive history. Mecum Auctions Mecum Auctions Mecum Auctions Mecum Auctions The GTO made muscle cars a big deal back in the 1960s. In fact, it’s often argued that Pontiac started the trend as other domestic automakers followed its lead after the fact. Similar cars were produced with the GTO in mind such as the Oldsmobile 422, the Buick Gran Sport, and the Chevrolet Chevelle. First hitting the market in 1963, the GTO was seen as an optional package of the Pontiac LeMans in 1964. By 1966, it had earned its place as a separate offering. This remained so until 1971 when the ride once again was slated as an option tied to the LeMans. By 1974, the GTO was a package associated with the Ventura. 1968 was perhaps a crowning year for the model when it was dubbed the Motor Trend of the Car of the Year. Val Kilmer loved his version until letting it go a few years ago. The owners that came after were responsible for its full bumper-to-bumper restoration. For the classicists, this could come as a shock. The end results, however, speak for themselves. The original vehicle came in light blue, but today’s version is a deeply reflective black. Mecum Auctions Mecum Auctions Mecum Auctions Inside, a creamy white interior marks a distinguished retro look along with the radio and OEM shifter in the center console. The soft-top contrasts the black exterior in white. The contrast speaks to a two-toned design, sure to catch onlookers’ eyes at every turn. The car’s impressive power is sure to impress under the hood. A 6.8-liter Pontiac V8 engine has been rebuilt. The four-speed transmission remains as strong as ever, too. Other noteworthy upgrades are seen in the belt pulleys, intake manifold, and Patriot headers. Although this particular car’s horsepower wasn’t released this time, the original was said to get up to 370 hp back in the day. In other words, vroom, vroom – this is one fast ride! The last time the car was sold, it went for a low rate of $17,000. The GTO once owned by Val Kilmer will now head to auction as part of the 2021 Monterey Car Week with different expectations, with an estimated price tag of as much as $140,000.

See more about - 1968 Porsche 911 R Expected To Fetch $5 Million at Auction

Once owned by Val Kilmer, a 1968 Pontiac GTO convertible will land at an auction, an event held by Mecum Auctions during Monterey Car Week.

Everybody loves a decent muscle car, and the Pontiac GTO aptly falls into such a category. Those who love Val Kilmer will be especially drawn to this 1968 model with his name attached.

The Iceman drove the car, and Mecum Auctions is proudly displaying the fact in its marketing efforts to promote the upcoming Monterey Car Week auction.

A full roster of past owners have claimed the ride, and the more recent ones have given the car a well-deserved makeover. The Iceman’s former drop-top is a crowd-pleaser and will be sure to garner top dollar from buyers hoping to own a piece of automotive history.

Mecum Auctions

The GTO made muscle cars a big deal back in the 1960s. In fact, it’s often argued that Pontiac started the trend as other domestic automakers followed its lead after the fact.

Similar cars were produced with the GTO in mind such as the Oldsmobile 422, the Buick Gran Sport, and the Chevrolet Chevelle.

First hitting the market in 1963, the GTO was seen as an optional package of the Pontiac LeMans in 1964. By 1966, it had earned its place as a separate offering. This remained so until 1971 when the ride once again was slated as an option tied to the LeMans. By 1974, the GTO was a package associated with the Ventura.

1968 was perhaps a crowning year for the model when it was dubbed the Motor Trend of the Car of the Year.

Val Kilmer loved his version until letting it go a few years ago. The owners that came after were responsible for its full bumper-to-bumper restoration.

For the classicists, this could come as a shock. The end results, however, speak for themselves. The original vehicle came in light blue, but today’s version is a deeply reflective black.

Inside, a creamy white interior marks a distinguished retro look along with the radio and OEM shifter in the center console. The soft-top contrasts the black exterior in white. The contrast speaks to a two-toned design, sure to catch onlookers’ eyes at every turn.

The car’s impressive power is sure to impress under the hood. A 6.8-liter Pontiac V8 engine has been rebuilt. The four-speed transmission remains as strong as ever, too. Other noteworthy upgrades are seen in the belt pulleys, intake manifold, and Patriot headers.

Although this particular car’s horsepower wasn’t released this time, the original was said to get up to 370 hp back in the day. In other words, vroom, vroom – this is one fast ride!

The last time the car was sold, it went for a low rate of $17,000. The GTO once owned by Val Kilmer will now head to auction as part of the 2021 Monterey Car Week with different expectations, with an estimated price tag of as much as $140,000.

See more about - 1968 Porsche 911 R Expected To Fetch $5 Million at Auction

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