1969 Pontiac GTO

The 1969 model.

The 1969 model eliminated the outside door vent windows, had a small grille and lamp revision, stirred the key from the dashboard to the steering column (which latched the wheel once the key was removed, a federal demand put in one year previous schedule), and also the gauge faces modified from blue to black. additionally, the rear quarter-panel mounted facet marker lamps modified from a red lens formed just {like the} Pontiac "V" crest to 1 formed like the broad GTO badge. Front outboard headrests were created commonplace instrumentality on all GTOs engineered when Jan one, 1969.

The engine.

The previous economy engine and commonplace 350 HP four hundred Criminal Investigation Command V8 remained, whereas the 360 HP (270 kW) 400HO was upgraded to the Ram Air III, rated at 366 HP (273 kW) at five,100 rpm. the highest choice was the 370 HP (280 kW) Ram Air IV, that featured special header-like high-flow exhaust manifolds, high-flow cylinder heads, a particular high-rise Al manifold, larger Rochester QuadraJet four-barrel carburettor, high-lift/long-duration shaft, and varied internal elements capable of withstanding higher engine speeds and power output. in contrast to the best rev big-block chevvy and Hemi engines, the Ram Air IV used hydraulic lifters.

By this point, the gross power ratings of each Ram Air engines were extremely suspect, bearing less relationship to developed power and additional to an enclosed metric weight unit policy limiting all cars except the warship to no over one publicised H.P. per ten pound (4.5 kg) of curb weight. The higher-revving Ram Air IV's publicised power peak was really listed at five,000 rev—100 rpm less than the less-powerful Ram Air III.

A new model known as the "Judge" was introduced. 

The name came from a comedy routine, "Here return First State Judge", used repeatedly on the mountain ash & Martin's Laugh-In television program. The decide routine, created common by legendary booking agent Sammy Davis, Jr., was borrowed from the act of long-time burlesque somebody Dewey "Pigmeat" Markham. Advertisements used slogans like "All rise for the decide" and "The Judge may be bought". As originally planned, the decide was to be a cheap  GTO, stripped of options to create it competitive with the Plymouth Road Runner. The package was US$332 dearer than a typical GTO, and enclosed the Ram Air III engine, Rally II wheels while not trim rings, Hurst shifter (with a novel T-shaped handle), wider tires, varied decals, and a rear spoiler. Pontiac claimed that the spoiler had some purposeful impact at higher speeds, manufacturing alittle however measurable downforce, however it had been of very little price at legal speeds. The decide was at first offered solely in "carousel red", however midway into the model year a spread of alternative colours became offered.

The GTO was surpassed in sales each by the Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 and also the Plymouth Road Runner, but 72,287 were oversubscribed throughout the 1969 model year, with 6,833 of them being the decide package.