Vehicle Description
1969 Pontiac GTO The Judge
The Judge is a car built for one purpose; to shoot down the track
faster than any other car and leave burnouts that none of the
others could match. General Motors has had numerous muscle cars
throughout the years, but nothing could catch the eye and stick on
the tongue like the Pontiac GTO Judge. "Here Comes The Judge" was a
common mantra on the streets around the nation, which to most meant
that the cars they brought to race would not have a chance. Much
like when going in front of the court judge to face charges of
street racing, the Judge was not something to be excited to see if
you're going up against it. It may be thought that the only reason
a car could get the nickname of "the Judge" would be because it
laid down the law everywhere it went, which was not the case. The
actual reason the Judge was the Judge is because of a designer who
enjoyed comedy. He enjoyed comedy skits so much that one, in
particular, Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In's famous routine called "Here
Come The Judge," left a lasting mark on him and the car he was
designing. The Judge was created out of the need to overpower the
competitors but was dubbed with a name that all would remember.
More than 6,800 Judges, not quite 10 percent of all GTO production
in 1969, were built in its debut year and gracing our Hallowed
Halls for consignment, this Carousel Red muscle car in very nice
condition. This car checks all the right boxes with its tail
spoiler, retina searing paint and smile inducing400ci V8 and
4-speed manual transmission. A "Goat" which is more like a wolf in
sheep's clothing and is ready to lay down the law with its nicely
performed restoration, blistering acceleration, PHS documentation,
and beautiful good looks...Cue up Paul Revere and the Raiders
because court is in session in our West Mallway!
Exterior
For 1969 GM tweaked the GTO's one year old redesign with a number
of detail changes and subtle refinements and this example is bathed
in Carousel Red. While the finish remains in the deep end of the
pool territory, we do note evidence of body filler in nearly all of
the lower panels with some areas succumbing to body contour line
blurs in the filler. At the front of the car, Pontiac's familiar
stainless trimmed twin grilles hang dual headlights and a pristine
white "GTO" script behind a revolutionary Endura bumper. Below that
bumper, the car's curved front valance features revised and more
aggressive parking lights; and above that bumper, a sculpted hood
with Pontiac's legendary 'twin nostril' Ram Air badged intakes
lives between the fenders. Behind those intakes, like-new glass is
bordered by an attractive layer of bright stainless trim and the
correct side mirrors. Below the mirrors, expressive 'coke bottle'
fenders are highlighted by dent-free stainless wheel well trim,
straight stainless rocker moldings and traditional chrome door
handles. On the front fenders, white inlaid "GTO" emblemsadd just
the right amount of flash to the car's slick orange paint, but this
is not to be outdone by the swoop spear neon orange highlighted
black decal that follows the curving beltline starting at the front
quarters and gently wrapping up to the B-pillars. On the back
fenders, '68-era arrowhead marker lights have been exchanged for V
shaped "GTO" branded units. At the back of the car, a show-worthy
chrome bumper hangs showroom fresh taillights between spotless
stainless exhaust tips and a white "GTO" trunk emblem. Lest we
forget the Judge specific rear spoiler thatstands off from the
trunk with the edges wrapping down to meet the tops of the rear
quarters. 15-inch Pontiac Rally II wheels are on all 4 corners and
are wrapped in staggered width BF Goodrich Radial T/A's from
2021.
Interior
Take a look inside this A-Body's cockpit and you'll find a snazzy
correct black interior. Front and center, a straight and crack-free
padded dash in black grabs our attention with its deeply inset
gauges and fresh wood applique dressings. The factory AM radio is
still in its original location and a 3 some of chrome trimmed
gauges within an applique dress bezel hang below, and we note a
black faced gauge to the right and the functional Ram Air pull to
the left. On the floor, an original console with its long armed
Hurst shifter sits between the two beautifully sculpted like new
black vinyl bucket front seats. At the sides of those seats,
stainless-trimmed door panels hang with the tail of an arrow
designed right into the panel and come with fresh hardware and
pliable armrests. Below those panels, clean black carpet frames
chrome-trimmed foot pedals in front of heavy duty floor mats. In
front of the driver, what looks like to be the original wood rimmed
steering wheel spins around a Pontiac branded horn button. Behind
the passengers, thetrunk hides a gray felted mat as well as a
bumper jack.
Drivetrain
Under the twin nostril hood resides a non numbers matching 400ci V8
that is dated 1971 and is correct for a GTO/Firebird. It is dressed
in Pontiac Blue with chromed valve covers, a chrome alternator and
the foam sealed functional Ram Air air cleaner assembly. This is a
300hp automatic transmission equipped block based on the YS
stamping code and is topped by a single 4-barrel carburetor. A
circa 1966 Muncie M20 4-speed manual is behind the mill and shifts
through the gears flawlessly. On the back is a correct casting
number 9795084 10-bolt rear axle and based on the PHS documents it
is a 3.55 geared heavy duty Safe-T-Track axle.
Undercarriage
Give this car a lift and we are met with independent front coil
spring suspension and a 4-link and coil spring rear suspension.
Power disc brakes up front, and power drums on the rear to bring it
to a quick halt. Dual exhaust with headers and turbo mufflers
snakes its way from the mill back to chrome tips and past the black
menagerie that makes up the chassis. Speaking of which, we note
painted over surface rust on nearly every component along with
amateurrepairs performed to the trunk pan and flooring. That aside,
the frame, rockers and inner wheel houses remain solid and
sound.
Drive-Ability
We had some fun test driving this restored car on our test track. A
turn of the key and this judgementalgoat was ready to send the
competition to Greaterford prison for 20 years to life. It had
snappy acceleration, good handling, and bias free panic stopping.
It handled very well, and all functions save for the horn not
beepingworked as they should.
Overall a very nice example of the first year example of a PHS
documented GTO Judge. Runs great, shifts smoothly, and is a looker
to boot. While i'm no appointed judge, I can give you my
verdict....4 out of 5 stars and a sentence to be served in the
garage of a lucky Pontiac aficionado. Here Come Da Judge!
242379B160167
2-Pontiac
42-GTO
37-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
9-1969
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
160167-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
ST 69 24237-1969 GTO 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
BDY BAL567731-Baltimore Body #
TR 258-Black Vinyl Buckets
PNT 72 72-Carousel Red
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
