Though still popular, Pontiac wanted to keep its mid-size muscle car at the top of its game. So, in 1969, they introduced “The Judge” option which included a 400 cubic inch Ram Air V8, Hurst shifter, and a rear spoiler. The car was only offered for three years and sold in somewhat smaller numbers, so they’re not commonly seen today. So, it’s unusual when you find three of them together from the same model year. This trio of 1969 “Judges” are in Rogers, Arkansas, and available here on craigslist starting at $59,500. Thanks for this cool find, Gunter Kramer!
The name of this new edition of the GTO was derived from a comedy routine on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In TV Show. “Here Come de Judge” was repeatedly used by comedian Flip Wilson who continued to parlay it when he got his own show in the early 1970s. Pontiac’s advertising used slogans like “All rise for the Judge” and “The Judge can be bought” to draw in potential buyers. When you ordered The Judge package for $332 over the standard GTO, you got the previously mentioned goodies plus Rally II wheels without trim rings, wider tires, and various decals. The car was initially only offered in Carousel Red paint, but other colors soon followed.
The Judge sales peaked in its first year, 1969, at 6,725 hardtops and 108 convertibles. Interest dropped the next two years, so the option was discontinued after 1971. The seller owns three of the Year 1 Judges in the famous red color, another in Cameo White, and a third in Verdoro Green. Two appear to be garage kept while the third may reside outdoors, but we say that only because they’re photographed that way. They all come with PHS documentation.
Verdoro Green
This one has a black vinyl interior and was the subject of a frame-off restoration some years ago. So. It presents well enough but is not a show car. The YS 400 V8 has been rebuilt and has its original Ram Air heads. The same can be said for the Muncie close-ratio 4-speed manual transmission. This is the least expensive of the three at $59,500 and it can be taken home right away.
Cameo White
This one comes with a bench seat instead of buckets and the interior is finished in Parchment. The motor is a period-correct YZ Ram Air version that has recently been rebuilt. The seller says the car has no rust and the paint is good, suggesting it may not have ever been redone. At $79,500, the car won’t be ready until November 2022.
Carousel Red
This one may be the cream of the crop and is presently receiving a frame-off restoration, so it too won’t be available until November 2022. It’s a numbers-matching Pontiac that also has a 4-speed manual tranny. Photos for both it and the white car were no doubt taken before whatever transformation they were scheduled for. This one will cost you $95,000.
Wow 3 of these cars, really? All seem nice and seller has invested heavily into them. One and two still have details to work out and the owner changed direction? What a stable!
Wow, that’s a whole barnyard full of goats!
The vedoro green one has a ’68 front bumper.
Pkg deal available ? Package them up like on the tv show Pickers.
When did other colors become available besides Carousel Red in 1969?
The option for colors other then the Carousel Red started in January.All the Judges before that were that red somewhere around 2500 if I remember.
All very nice > Jim Wangers – John Delorean would be proud :)
Ennie Meenie Miney Mo! Can’t go wrong here.
No idea of the seller’s circumstances, sell one, maybe…..all three? no way for me. Way too nice for me anyway. I’d be trapped at my house, afraid to leave incase the house caught fire or some dirtbag tried to steal them….would remind me of the time when I bought 550 gpz when they came out in 1981. I got my bike license on that bike and back in them days here in Maine. when you passed the test you got a small piece of paper that said you passed, then you went to the dmv and they gave you a new license with the code that allowed you to operate bike on the street. Well, I live in a very small town an the closest dmv office was Portland back then, I get there and the office was in this shopping mall, out of site from the parking lot. I had to leave my pride an joy, first brand new bike I ever had, alone….I figured for sure it would be gone when I came back out, I literally ran out to the lot an to my great relief, there it was…..never went to Portland again…..
The courts in session, the courts in session, now here come the judge- here come the judge—
Flip Wilson, Rowan and Martin’s Laugh in, 1967
I believe thats how the goat got the moniker “the judge”
Cheers
GPC
Who first said Here Comes the Judge?
Comedian Pigmeat Markham
Here Comes the Judge is a 1968 song by legendary comedian Pigmeat Markham. It become one of comedy’s first memes when Sammy Davis Jr. made it a catchphrase on the TV show: Rowan & Martin’s Laugh In.
Make mine the green machine! Dark green paint, black interior and nice wheels, says “speedy car” parked curbside.
The first thing that comes to mind for me when I see a GTO Judge is the movie Two Lane Blacktop, with warren Oates driving the Yellow ’69 Judge. That is a true time capsule movie, and one you need to see “before you die” as says the 1001 movie to see list. I have a ’65 GTO and love it. Would sure like to have one of these Goats but my muscle car buying days are pretty much over due to age and health. Hope they all go to a good home and are enjoyed for many years to come.
Warren Oates drove a 1970 Judge in Two Lane Blacktop
You are correct, it was a ’70. It was filmed in August thru October in ’70 so that would have been the GTO to use as new at the time. The movie wasn’t released till early July ’71.
I have been in love with the 1969 GTO Judge, Carousel Red car since early 1969 when I first saw one at an indoor car and model show at the 4-H building in Tipton Indiana. I was 14 years old at the time, went with my brother and a life-long friend John, God rest his soul. A fond memory that has never left me.
the green one makes my knees shake
The Yankees should buy all 3 of these as a deal breaker for Aaron Judge to stay, but he will go to the Giants or Mets I believe.