Lot 227: 1969 Pontiac GTO 'The Judge'

The Pontiac GTO is considered by many the first true muscle car. Whereas other manufacturers were concentrating on their full size lines, Pontiac saw the potential for dropping a big block engine into an intermediate frame and marketing it at a budget price. Pontiac sneaked past the GM restriction on this combination by making the GTO an option on the Tempest model, creating the hottest performance machine yet. The GTO sold in great numbers and would fuel the competition between GM, Ford, and Chrysler that would keep the muscle car industry thriving for years to come. The GTO would later evolve into the Judge, an extroverted option package of the blotted GTO, and would continue the tradition until the GTO died an embarrassing death in 1974, strangled by newly introduced emission and safety regulations. In 1969 the GTO received a modest redesign. Most notable changes included; new grille inserts, elimination of the triangle door vent windows, and a new rear bumper. The 1969 GTO could be ordered in two different body styles - the hardtop and the convertible. A specially optioned GTO could be ordered which was called The Judge. The first 5,000 Judges were painted Carousel Red (a bright shade of orange). The 1969 GTO's set of standard options included; bucket seats, special exterior trim, 350hp 400ci engine (optional Ram Air) with chrome valve covers and air cleaner, dual exhausts, and 3-speed manual transmission with Hurst floor mounted shifter. Out of a total production of 72,287, only 6,725 Judge Hardtop Coupes were made. This GTO 'The Judge' is suitably finished in Carousel Red with a black interior and was fitted from new not only with the 'Judge' packet, consisting of the 400 V8 Ram Air engine, producing a mighty 366 hp, a ride and handling package and the 'identification' decals and stickers, but boasted also the following options: Turbo Hydramatic Automatic transmission, the 'wonder-touch' power steering, a tilting steering wheel and front disc brakes, softray glass and a limited slip differential to name but a few.Thus powered, this true muscle car was able to jump from 0-60 mph in 6.2 sec. Exported in 1997 to the Netherlands, this rare GTO formed part of a small private collection and has been properly looked after since. We are informed that everything works as it should and the car is in good condition. It is supplied with the original window sticker mentioning all the options ordered from new, the original dealer brochure with a Hot Rod road test of 'The Judge' as well as the California title and Dutch registration papers. Surely much more fun than modern SUVs!