400 Ram Air/4-Speed: 1969 Pontiac GTO The Judge

When Pontiac released the GTO “The Judge” in 1969, buyers could initially order their new purchase in any color they liked…as long as it was Carousel Red. The company added additional shades later that year, but Carousel Red became inextricably linked with Pontiac’s legendary muscle car. This Judge looks like an essentially unmolested and extremely tidy survivor. Its most pressing need is a new home, so why not take a look and see if it ticks the right boxes for you?

Regular readers are probably becoming tired of me talking about poor-quality photos, but the harsh reality is that they invariably reduce a seller’s chances of success. The images of this Judge are okay, although a few key details escaped attention. The seller is vague with the description, seeming unsure about the car’s history. It presents quite nicely, with the paint shining richly, and the prone front bumper free from chips and marks. There is no evidence or mention of rust, although I would like to climb under this classic to establish whether there are any hidden nasty surprises. One Rally II wheel is missing a center cap, but the remaining trim and the glass are in good order.

The seller doesn’t include any engine bay shots in their listing, which I consider almost unforgivable for a car of this caliber. However, we know it features the 400ci Ram Air V8, a four-speed manual transmission, and front disc brakes. The V8 should deliver 366hp and 445 ft/lbs of torque, allowing this judge to storm the ¼-mile in 13.8 seconds. That figure remains quite respectable in a modern context, but it meant that in 1969 this car didn’t ask for respect, it demanded it. We’ve reached a point where the story takes a vague turn because the seller knows little about the GTO’s ownership history. They hold a copy of the Window Sticker and PHS documentation verifying its authenticity. The odometer shows 38,800 miles, although since it is apparently inoperative, the true mileage is unknown. The seller advises potential buyers to satisfy themselves about its condition, suggesting that an in-person inspection would be wise.

It would be unfair to describe this Pontiac’s interior as factory fresh, but the condition is comfortably acceptable for a driver-grade classic. There are no signs of issues with the Black vinyl trim or carpet, and the dash and pad look excellent. It retains the correct shifter and the pushbutton radio specified on the Window Sticker, and there are no visible aftermarket additions beyond someone’s decision to swap out the original bench seat for a pair of buckets. The first owner didn’t load it with luxury items from Pontiac’s extensive options list, preferring to focus on outright performance.

The seller listed this 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge here on eBay in Norman, Oklahoma. The viewing history suggests it has generated plenty of interest, but that hasn’t translated into genuine auction action. A single bid of $60,000 is below the reserve, although there is time left in this auction for the action to intensify. NADA figures suggest the current bid is well below expectations, although Hagerty indicates it is in the ballpark. However, I only ever take their information as a guide, preferring to examine recent successful sales to establish a clearer picture. This is an occasion where Hagerty seems to have it right, and I believe it will probably pass the reserve at around $65,000. It might go slightly higher, but that depends on how determined two or more people are. Even if this Judge is beyond your means, the auction could be worth watching.