May is finally here, and with it, is a new season of car shows, cruise nights, good food and good company. Like myself, I’m sure a lot of you car guys and gals have been eagerly waiting for another great season of getting together with fellow car enthusiasts at your local cruise spot.

My first interview for the 2019 Car Season is Ed Ratschki. Ed is only the third owner of his beautiful number’s matching 1968 Pontiac GTO. Ed Ratschki is a Highway Maintenance Supervisor for the New York State Department of Transportation. Ed is also a United States Marine Corp Veteran who served with the 2nd Combat Engineers, 2nd Marine Division 1986-1990. He is also an avid local car enthusiast. Ed told me that he brought his 1968 GTO about 20 years ago. Ed purchased the car for $12,000. He restored the car mechanically, he rebuilt the engine, rear-end, brakes and suspension. He also had the car repainted. The color of the car is Alpine Blue, an original color from Pontiac in 1968. Ed advised that the engine, is the original 400 motor that came from the factory. The car has 360 Horsepower to the rear wheels. It has a Safety Track (Posi) rear-end. His car has 106,000 original miles on it. Ed told me that he still has all the original paperwork that came with the car when it was purchased by the original owner. Some of the special features the car has are: Hideaway Headlights, 4 speed Transmission, AM/FM Radio, Endura bumper, bucket seats and a vinyl top.

I asked Ed what his favorite moment with his car was, he told me it was the day he purchased it. I asked what his worst moment with his car was, he said this past winter when mice ate through his original headliner in his garage. Ed told me that his favorite person to cruise with is his wife, Renee. Ed enjoys cruising the local roads in his hometown of Gardiner. His favorite music to cruise with his 50’s and 60’s music. But he explains the sound of the 360 Horsepower motor cruising down the road is also music to his ears. Ed’s dream car is a 1970 Hemi Cuda.

The Pontiac GTO had a total makeover in 1968. General Motors made major styling changes on their A-body. A rubber bumper called the Endura was added. Hidden headlights were optional. The changes to the GTO were so successful that the 1968 Pontiac GTO won “Motor Trend Car of the Year” in 1968. The name GTO was inspired by the Ferrari 250 GTO race car. GTO is an Italian abbreviation for Gran Turismo Omologato, which means certified for racing in the Grand Tourer class. Pontiac Chief Engineer John DeLorean played a major part in the development of the GTO.

1968 Pontiac GTO Specifications: 87,684 GTOs produced, Base Price: $4,242, Length: 202 inches, Width: 76.7 inches, Wheelbase: 112 inches, Curb Weight: 3781lbs, 0-60mph in 5.7 seconds.