1969 Pontiac GTO

Bill Collins teamed up with John DeLorean to create the first real 'muscle-car' by stuffing a big engine into a mid-size car and creating the legendary GTO. At the time, rules at General Motors forbid offering a standard model with such a powerful combination, but Collins and DeLorean had found a loophole big enough to drive a big-block V8 though. After two years of strong sales and a glowing reputation of building performance vehicles, the GTO was declared a model unto itself.

The second-generation Pontiac GTO was introduced in 1968, along with the A-body Tempest on which it was based. The wheelbase dropped from 115 to 112 inches, and overall length shrank nearly six inches to 201.2. The new hardtop wore a roofline more in keeping with the late-1960s trend toward fastbacks. There were four horizontally placed headlights in the front, although an extra-cost option would conceal them behind doors. The taillights were now part of the bumper assembly. The windshield wipers, for the first time, were concealed behind the rear of the hood when not in use.

The 400 cubic-inch V8 engine offering 265 horsepower in the economical two-barrel version. The Ram Air II induction had 360 hp. A base-engine GTO with automatic transmission and a 3.23:1 rear axle covered the quarter-mile in 15.93 seconds at 88.3 miles per hour. A Ram Air four-speed manual car with drag-strip-ready 4.33:1 gears reduced the trip to 14.45 seconds at 98.2 miles per hour.

For 1969, the Pontiac GTO received only minor changes, including a new locking steering column and the deletion of vent windows. The 350 hp standard and 265 hp two-barrel V8 versions remained unchanged. The Ram Air III produced 366 horsepower and 445 lb-ft of torque. The Ram Air IV was rated at 370 horsepower and 445 lb-ft. All of the four-barrel GTO engines had 10.75:1 compression.

The two-barrel 400 could only be mated to the three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission. The four-barrel V-8s were available with either a three-speed manual, four-speed manual, or the Turbo Hydra-Matic. The standard rear axle gears included 2.93:1 for the two-barrel engine and 3.90:1 for the Ram Air IV engine. Many ratios were available by special order and air conditioning was not available when gears from 3.36:1 to 4.33:1 were requested.

'The Judge' performance option was introduced in 1969 (December 18th of 1968) and added $337.02 (Code TW1 Judge Option) to the base price. It was an unrestrained performance option with an irreverent attitude and marketing to match, with famous taglines including 'All Rise for The Judge' and the infamous line, 'The Judge can be bought.' It did not add any comfort amenities but under the hood, it was downright potent. A new air-induction system was added to the engine, Ram-Air III, which delivered 366 horsepower from the 400 CID V8, and this was backed up by a choice of a heavy-duty three-speed or a close-ratio four-speed manual transmission. The Judge was originally available only in Carousel Red, which looked orange to most observers, with special striping and badging. It rode on Rally II wheels and was devoid of the usual beauty trim rings to keep cost and weight to a minimum. Dual functional hood scoops fed fresh, cool air into the deep-breathing RA II engine, with the air intakes opened and closed as necessary with a push-pull cable actuated by a button marked 'Ram Air' underneath the dash panel. Advertised as a benefit for traveling at high speeds was a 60-inch wide rear-deck spoiler-air-foil that was supposed to increase down-drafts and help stabilize the ride. A body-color, flexible Endura front bumper surrounded a sinister blacked-out twin-element grille with optional retractable headlight covers. Higher-rate springs and recalibrated shocks brought handling and road holding up to the same standards as the engine's performance

Pontiac built 6,725 Judge hardtops and 108 convertibles for 1969.

by Dan Vaughan

Royal Bobcat Coupe

In 1969, dealers were enjoying a boom in Muscle Car sales. With a wide range of offerings and a strong market, dealers were fighting for the attention of America's male. There was hardly anything around that could offer as much recognition and respect as Royal Bobcat Pontiac.

In the late 1950's Royal Pontiac in Royal Oak, Michigan began offering modifications for new cars enhancing performance. As attention on the small dealer grew with their racing efforts, upgrades and package offerings expanded. Royal Bobcat GTO's would command respect, and with the new tunnel port heads offered directly through Pontiac Motor Division, the word was on the streets.

This 1969 Royal Bobcat GTO is the actual car originally ordered by Pontiac General Manager John DeLorean and later assigned to Ad Executive Jim Wangers. Wangers knew that with some creative tuning and the use of the best performance parts, this GTO would become legendary. Featured in countless magazines, it served as a development vehicle and was feared on the streets.

In 1980, this car was sold to the current owner and used as a daily driver. After graduating from high school, this legendary car would be restored by the owner and his father. It has numerous 'Day 2' modifications, including the ultra-rare and desirable Ram Air V heads. It is acknowledged to be one of the most authentic and documented Royal Bobcat GTO's ever built, and is the actual factory test car.

'Judge' Hardtop

Although some may feel the writing was on the wall for the Muscle Car in 1969, others will call it the best year to date. Nearly all of the manufacturers were deep into wild and unusual marketing campaigns and for some, the more outrageous the better.

With Plymouth's unexpected success with their cartoon based budget priced Roadrunner, Pontiac knew they had to move quickly. After several years of sales growth, they suffered a hit with a slight loss of market share, even with the totally restyled 1968 GTO.

The Judge was created to grab interest with vivid colors, wild graphics, a 60-degree spoiler and of course, loads of horsepower. Starting with the basic hardtop, the earliest Judges were built in eye searing Carousel Red, which was actually Hugger Orange, borrowed from corporate brother Chevrolet. Although the added content would mean it was not budget priced like the base Roadrunner, the available options and a standard Ram Air III 366 horsepower engine meant that Pontiac had another hit on their hands.

This GTO Judge is one of very few built in Palladium Silver with the optional Ram Air IV engine backed by a 4-speed manual transmission. Although claimed to have 370 horsepower, those in the know will tell you they are grossly under rated, and are one of the most powerful and desirable engines ever offered by the Pontiac Motor Division.

Hardtop
Chassis number: 242379A115250
Engine number: 041981

Pontiac stunned the world when they introduced their specially-outfitted Tempest sporting a 389 cubic-inch V8 engine. It was given the name 'GTO' upon John DeLorean's insistence. These cars offered aggressive straight-line performance and performance-natured handling. Production began in 1964 and continued through 1974 and are considered to be the start of the American muscle car movement. For 1968, the Tempest models, including the GTO, were given a completely new body design. The 389 had since been replaced by a 400 cubic-inch V8.

This particular 1969 Pontiac GTO Coupe was created in Atlanta, Georgia. The engine has recently been professional rebuilt by the Classic Showcase in California, and fitted with a Rhino Pac Heavy-Duty clutch, resurfaced the flywheel, serviced the transmission, and installed new rubber brake lines. This car includes the hood mounted tachometer, Ram Air hood, air ducts that provided air flow tot eh four-barrel carburetor, MSD ignition system with Billet aluminum distributor, factory four-speed transmission with floor shifter, bucket seats, a Delco AM radio, center console, and dual Flowmaster exhausts.

In 2008, this vehicle was offered for sale at the 'Sports & Classics of Monterey' presented by RM Auctions. It had an estimated value of $40,000 - $60,000 and offered without reserve. The lot was sold for a high bid of $33,500, including buyer's premium.

The Pontiac GTO known as 'The Legend' and 'The Great One' is the car that actually started the muscle car era. Pontiac production of the GTO from 1964 to 1974 was 514,797 units.

by Dan Vaughan

'Judge' Hardtop
Chassis number: 242379A119466

This 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge is finished in Carousel Red paint and has the Ram Air III 4-speed drivetrain. It was given a frame-up restoration during the mid-1980s by a GM-certified Pontiac dealer mechanic, who rebuilt the 400/366 HP Ram Air III engine, brake, electrical and cool systems, front and rear suspension and steering. At that time, it was given hardened valve seats to allow the use of unleaded fuel. The clutch and 4-speed were both rebuilt and a new dual exhaust system fabricated using stainless-steel pipe and Flowmaster mufflers. Inside, there is a Parchment-on-Black interior and the original radio (which is not connected). Instead, there is a hidden AM/FM radio installed in the glove compartment and connected to a trunk-mounted CD player.

The car has power steering, power brakes, hood tachometer, Rally II wheels, Hurst shifter, factory 4-speed, WS-suffix 400 CI Ram Air III V-8 engine, and is documented with the dealer invoice and Protect-O-Plate. The sticker price was $4292.76.

This Pontiac GTO was delivered new to W.H. Gailey Pontiac Company in Cornelia, Georgia where the original owner traded-in his 1966 GTO for this a factory 4-speed Carousel Red GTO Judge on March 22, 1969. Currently, the car has 53,655 original miles.

by Dan Vaughan

'Judge' Hardtop

Many consider the 1969 to be the pinnacle year for the American Muscle Car. The hot television show Laugh_In was all the rage in the late 1960s, and would could forget Sammy Davis Jr. peering over his glasses proclaiming 'Here Come Da Judge, Here Come Da Judge!' One particular marketing guru by the name of Jim Wangers would recognize this as an opportunity to grab some of the spotlight that Plymouth was enjoying with their budget priced muscle car known as the Roadrunner. Utilizing a similar formula, the GTO would soon be offered with special trim and an outrageous bright orange color, oddly named Carousel Red.

Featuring a 400 cubic-inch, 4-barrel V8 engine backed by a manual transmission, a basic bench seat interior, dual hood scoops and 14-inch Rally wheels, (sans trim rings) it screamed performance and affordability, reminiscent of the original GTO of 1964.

This particular GTO 'The Judge' was originally sold new in Welland, Ontario, Canada. Off the road for nearly 15 years, it was sold to the current owner who commissioned a full restoration to factory original specifications. IN addition to having its original numbers matching drive-train, the current owner also had been in contact with the original owner, who gave him the original paperwork, including a collection of time slips from local drag strips.

Convertible
Chassis number: 242679B164263

This Pontiac GTO is one of just 113 convertibles that left the factory in 1969 with an automatic transmission and the Ram Air III V8. The 400 cubic-inch Pontiac Ram Air III produced 366 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. It has functional cold air hood scoops which feed a single 4-barrel Rochester carburetor. The transmission is a 3-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic with 3.55:1 gears and a Safe-T Track limited slip differential.

This GTO is painted in Liberty Blue with a blue interior. There are bucket seats and a deluxe steering wheel on a tilt column. Rally gauges with integrated clock join a power antenna AM radio on the dash. There is a joystick-control remote driver's mirror, power windows, and Soft Ray tinted glass.

by Dan Vaughan

'Judge' Hardtop

For 1969 model year muscle cars, there may not be a more recognized model than 'The Judge.' Originally intended as a low priced showroom traffic builder and over the top attention grabber, it was a huge success for the Pontiac Motor Division. It remains as one of the most sought after muscle machines ever to leave Detroit.

Although many Judges are Carousel Red (actually orange), this one left the assembly line in straight Starlight Black with a parchment interior. To make it even rare and more desirable, it is one of a mere 108 Judge Convertibles built.

Powered by the Code WS Ram Air III 400 cubic-inch engine backed the M20 4-speed manual transmission; this car represents an era of a truly care free top down dream

Convertible
Chassis number: 242679B177568

This 1969 Pontiac GTO Convertible was originally equipped with a 400 CID V8 but currently powered by a 455 CID V8. Both engines remain with the vehicle. There is a four-speed with reverse lock and original radio.

by Dan Vaughan

Hardtop
Chassis number: 242379G135426

This is a second year, second-generation example, the GTO nameplate running for five generations in total ending in 2006; the fifth generation cars being a 'captive import' from the Australian Holden factory. 1969 was the first year with Pontiac selling 6,833 Judge packages that year using GM's comedic ad agency by-lines, 'All rise for the Judge' and 'The Judge can be bought.' The Pontiac Ram Air III engine was installed in the 1969 Judge with a rated 366 horsepower at 5,100 RPM from 400 cubic-inch and big 4-barrel Rochester Quadrajet carburetor on an aluminum intake manifold, special head and a high lift camshaft.

'Judge' Hardtop

This one-owner car was purchased new at Hetzel Motors in Wellsville, New York in March of 1969. The window sticker was $4,033.86, which include the Judge package of $337.02. That package included a 400 Ram Air III or IV engine, Rally II wheels, ride and handling package, cable-controlled Ram air hood outlet, blacked-out grille, airfoil, identification decals, and vinyl striping. The owner was called to active duty in the Navy four months after purchasing the car and one month after marrying his high school sweetheart. While he served in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, Nancy drove the car to work every day. In the fall of 1974, the car was put into storage in Bolivar, New York. It stayed there until 1986, when the couple moved to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. It stayed in storage until 2012, when Bob asked Nancy if she would rather have a new kitchen or 'The Judge' restored. She chose the latter, and in August of 2013, the car began traveling to shows.