The 1969 GTO was very similar to the model that came before it. Of course, Pontiac made some key changes to ensure that the 1969 GTO was one of the best of all time.
When compared to the previous model, it was easy to see from the outside that the 1969 Pontiac GTO did not have the vent windows. Along with this, the grille was changed ever so slightly and the taillights received minor revisions as well.
The previous base engine remained in place for the 69 GTO. It was a 350 horsepower 400 cid V8. As you can see, even the best engine in this car was quite large and produced a lot of power. The 360 horsepower V8 was upgraded to the Ram Air III – this was a big change for the 1969 model year.
The Ram Air V was introduced by Pontiac in 1969. This special 400 block had an all new design that car enthusiasts were waiting on for years. Unfortunately, this option was not installed at the Pontiac plant. Instead, it was an over the counter product. Even then, it became quite popular in a relatively short period of time.
The biggest change to this model was the introduction of the 1969 GTO Judge The original idea for the Judge was to strip it down and make it a low cost GTO. But during the development phase things changed quite a bit and Pontiac decided to make it the best of the best in terms of appearance and performance. The result was a package that cost approximately $337 more than the base model.
The Judge included the following upgrades: Ram Air III engine, Rally II wheels, wide tires, Hurst shifter, rear spoiler and unique decals. At first, the Judge model was only offered in one color: Carousel Red. But later on in the year Pontiac decided to produce the car in different colors.
During the 1969 model year Pontiac sold 72,287 GTO’s. Although this was a respectable number, the 1969 Pontiac GTO was outsold by both its main competitors: the Plymouth Road Runner and the Chevrolet Chevelle SS396. Out of those sold, only 6,833 were the Judge model. The rarest car from this model year was the Ram Air IV Judge convertible with only five being built.
The 69 Pontiac GTO was one of the top muscle cars of its time. Thanks to the Judge model, this vehicle has held its value over the years and is now considered by many to be a classic.
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