Sometimes it’s easy to forget that most muscle cars built in the 1960s came standard with a three-speed manual. Look at the specifications for most performance vehicles at the time and you will find that a floor-mounted three-gear transmission was the default — in fact, there are several that came standard with a three-speed on the column!
Image courtesy of Muscle Car Campy
Some heavy hitters came standard with a three-speed manual, including the Stage 1 for the 1970 Buick GS 455 and solid-lifter 396 Chevelles! Even Corvettes had three-speeds through 1969.
The subject of this video is a 1968 Pontiac GTO. In its current state, it is Starlight Black with a four-speed manual, but it originally was a three-speed (a unit from Ford, believe it or not) with the standard 350-horsepower 400. Though somewhat obscure, a surprising 5,374 were built in this configuration, according to the GM Heritage Center. In fact, there’s a lot that’s unusual about this car in its original form: AM/FM with rear seat speaker, Rally I wheels, and not much else (clock, tinted glass, HD air cleaner, and floor mats). FM radios were expensive back in the day and not quite mainstream in 1968, but everything else on the original window sticker shows that this car was intended to have a reasonable price point ($3,400) but look good in the process. Perhaps a Goat for dealer stock?
Image courtesy of Muscle Car Campy
Since 1979, this car has been upgraded to what you see here. Pam Smith’s late husband John rebuilt the engine (which was machined by Sox & Martin) and restored the car, then maintained it in pristine condition for shows. When he passed, Pam started driving the Poncho and having fun. Today, it continues to lack power conveniences, but Grandma handles the Goat with aplomb.
Watch the above video as Muscle Car Campy goes for a ride and lets Pam talk about her love for this GTO. If you dig this video, you can can find more Muscle Car Campy vehicle and owner profiles by clicking here.
