Poll: Which '68? (2/5/2026)

I'd pick ANY '68 GTO over '68 Merc. Just because the pic has the chrome bumper and v.t. doesn't mean I don't like it. And if the Merc has the same dash as the Torino, with four deeply recessed gauge pods....well I hated it. My grandpa had a 68 Torino two-door hardtop and I thought the interior was a big disappointment.

Both these mid-sized muscle cars look excellent and while I have a replica of the 1968 Pontiac in 1/18 scale, the closest Mercury mid-size muscle I have is a 1/18 Mercury.

@geno 

Thx Geno, that's news to me.  I scoured Pontiac forums and sales brochures and could find nothing about a chrome bumpered GTO.  I'm surprised that buyers would opt for the chrome bumper when the new Endura bumper was all the rage.  I suppose some didn't like the look of a body-colored bumper or were worried how well it would hold up in the real world.  I still remember the commercial with the guy swinging the sledgehammer at the bumper and it bouncing off of it.  If I ordered a '68 GTO I definitely would not order it to look like a LeMans, and of course the concealed headlight option would be a must!

Oh, and John B, I hope my ignorance didn't offend you.  You do a stellar job of finding cars to compare.  I know how tough it is to find decent pictures of particular cars on the web.  I'm still trying to find a 1962 Chrysler Newport 4-door sedan in Seascape green...

@pete-rovero You're welcome Pete, my understanding is some folks weren't comfortable with, didn't like, or were concerned about the durability of the rubber bumper, but still wanted a GTO, so the chrome option was made available. Some racers liked the chrome bumper as it was about 70 lbs lighter than the endura bumper. Having 70 lbs  less weight on the front helped. A considerable amount when you want you car as light as possible,  lol.😊

@pete-rovero No offence taken.

Posted by: @geno

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@pete-rovero You're welcome Pete, my understanding is some folks weren't comfortable with, didn't like, or were concerned about the durability of the rubber bumper, but still wanted a GTO, so the chrome option was made available. Some racers liked the chrome bumper as it was about 70 lbs lighter than the endura bumper. Having 70 lbs  less weight on the front helped. A considerable amount when you want you car as light as possible,  lol.😊

Posted by: @sizedoesmatter

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Posted by: @geno

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@pete-rovero You're welcome Pete, my understanding is some folks weren't comfortable with, didn't like, or were concerned about the durability of the rubber bumper, but still wanted a GTO, so the chrome option was made available. Some racers liked the chrome bumper as it was about 70 lbs lighter than the endura bumper. Having 70 lbs  less weight on the front helped. A considerable amount when you want you car as light as possible,  lol.😊

Geno, I also read the first 1,000 or so GTOs came with the chrome bumpers because Endura bumpers were still being perfected.

 

For me it's the GTO, with or without the Endura bumper.

Gents, thanks for your responses.