Though the muscle car market was showing signs of slowing down in 1969, Pontiac still sold more than 72,000 GTOs. But not that many may have been as well-equipped as this one, which has rare options like a power bench seat and electric radio antenna. We’re told it runs well but has just come out of 10 years’ worth of storage. Fairly clean for the age and hibernation, this GOAT is in Torrington, Connecticut, and is available here on eBay. The current bid is $6,300, but there’s a reserve in play.
The GTO was still powered by a 400 cubic inch V8 in 1969, with or without Ram Air induction. This one is without and was rated at 360 hp with a TH-400 automatic transmission. The 455 CI barn burner was still another year out in Pontiac’s mid-size muscle car. Even though this GOAT was locked away for a decade, the seller says it was driven every summer, so it still runs out great. Though maybe not a perfect looker, the seller says it’s ready to roll.
Rust doesn’t seem to be an issue, though the red paint is flawed, and the white vinyl top looks to be yellowing on the top (from exposure to the Sun?). The white interior with black accents may be presentable, too, except for the headliner. The seller relies on mostly on portraits rather than landscape photos, so we don’t get to see as much of the Poncho as you might like. The seller provides a copy of the MSRP sticker, and this GTO had a bunch of options piled on at the factory. If there was anything not ordered, what could it be besides Ram Air or The Judge package?
The heyday was over for the GTO in 1969. Sales dropped to 41,000 in 1970 and again to just over 10,000 in 1971. The car would limp along through 1974, even with its transformation that year into a Ventura-based compact. Pontiac would continue to push the muscle envelope, but would do so without the GTO.
Bench seat, vinyl top. On a GTO. WHY ???
Because. It looks sharp.
By ’69, these were largely being purchased by regular people, so they often had an automatic, air conditioning, power windows and door locks, deluxe wheel covers (which this had originally), and cruising gears of 3.08 or higher. The vast majority had vinyl tops. It was rare to see one without it.
One thing they didn’t typically have was the hood tach, which this one didn’t have when it was built, which is no surprise as it wasn’t a popular option.
A headliner doesn’t get waterstains without a leaky roof. What’s under that vinyl top?
Pretty sure those are footprints…
With a bench seat that shifter and your co-pilot could be a “his and her” for drive selection.
The body looks good and the top vinyl not sure until inspection.
It needs paint but that’s an easy remedy.
I like it !
Nice GTO here just needs some TLC.
What other options, you ask? For starters…bucket seats, console (with a 4-speed, preferably), suspension package, and a Safe-T-Track rear axle would’ve been nice, for starters!!!
This is actually a grocery-getter variety GTO with not much going for it.
No limited-slip differential is enough for me to “just say no.”
The bench seat is a deal breaker for me. Sometimes in a real “go-fast” stripper type GTO it’s a maybe for me? Looks like it was ordered with hub caps? I did not see the hood tach on the window sticker but great option in my mind. I really like hideaways so that would have been nice. The 8 track cars look cool with it in but was there an underdash one in 69 or do you need the console?
I think I remember the 69’s being 350 HP?
Need to take the vinyl top off and fix the rust under it get someone who is really good at painting and have the top repainted to look like vinyl. But otherwise looks like a nice driver
should have left it green instead of resale red. needs a lot of tlc. no phs offered either. something bad going on under that top
Wonder if a mouse got up in the headliner and made those stains? Had that happen in my Challenger. I do see a small hole in the headliner. Nice car otherwise.
All those options and no hide-a-way headlamps? I had an almost stock 69 GTO with buckets and not much else, even had the stock 3-spd manual but at least the original owners spent money on the hide-a-ways. IFRC a 4-spd would have been a cheaper option. Paid $550 in 1978 with an engine tick and all it needed was a new cam, timing chain and lifters. Sold it for $1100 six months later when hi-test got to be 75 cents a gallon. Too much money for a new college student.
The non Ram Air engine was 350hp in ’69, not 360.
Interesting that this vehicle was built in Baltimore, Maryland when the Pontiac plant itself was only about 20 mi away from the selling dealer.
Likely ordered new by a woman. GM built GTOs in Framingham, MA. Odd it is a Baltimore car. Either mice or water got to the headliner.
Ended at $24499.
Reserve Not Met.
28 bids.