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Ram Air III 400 Four-Speed! 1969 Pontiac GTO

Down but not out, this red 1969 Pontiac GTO in Salem, Wisconsin retains its numbers-matching original 400 cid (6.6L) engine, and shows less rust than you might expect from the land of cheese and Supper Clubs. The grille split inboard of the headlight buckets might suggest (optional) hidden headlights, but this youtube video of a hidden headlight GTO shows a different look. The seller has owned this Pontiac since 1984 and should be able to relate its history since then. It only had one owner before that! The listing here on craigslist makes no mention of running or driving condition, but based on the dust and photo location we would surmise it is not road-worthy. The $9,000 asking price may not be the bottom dollar, but it’s low enough to avoid inquiries regarding what the seller may be smoking. Thanks to reader Ikey H. for spotting this garage-kept Goat.

Sadly someone jettisoned the functional Ram Air III setup for this extra-tall air cleaner. A fresh-looking loaded brake master cylinder indicates brake repairs. Earlier work shows no concern for originality, and that’s OK. For a long time, even a GTO was simply an “old car,” and nobody cared about stock-appearing heater hoses and the like. “Just get some parts and keep it running so we can cruise tonight.” The 3.55 gears and four-speed manual promise tons of fun. Purists would want original exhaust manifolds, but the headers (visible in the listing photos) probably make more power. The Ram Air III 400 made a stout 366 HP and 445 lb-ft of torque. Remember, the 455 didn’t arrive until 1970 and only the 370 HP Ram Air IV 400 made more power in ’69.

The overall look, Cragar S/S wheels, skinny up front, and fat in the rear, combined with the Firestone radials with raised white letters, render this faded red “Goat” perfect for the high school parking lot of your choice. I’d love to see this Pontiac on the road just like it’s shown here, simply for novelty. Who hasn’t seen a perfectly restored factory ’69 GTO? You don’t see one like this very often, and there’s nothing wrong with paying tribute to the ’80s, a decade when classic muscle cars could be thoroughly enjoyed without concern for decreasing their future value. Rust in typical areas demands some attention, but we’ve seen worse from Wisconsin! Removing the vinyl top will no doubt disclose additional metal degradation.

General Motors offered the black-and-white two-toned interior on many vehicles, and it looks great in this GTO, brightening up the inside with white but keeping enough black to look sporty and tough. The Hurst T-handle shifter angles back toward the driver, begging to be handled with authority. Perhaps a tachometer rests among additional parts that come with the sale to fill that hole in the dash. What would you change on this GTO?

Comments

  1. Avatar Troy s

    Looks a little rough outside, being held up by a jack, but what I dont care for is the white top, interior could be sharp.
    It most definitely was a cruiser years ago, gotta like those skinnies up front!
    Day 2 car it’s not as these mods were done years later. Keep em comin!

    Like 7
  2. Avatar Kevin Ferrell

    I had the 69 or may have been a 70 it was the Ram Air 4 with the 400 4 speed with the T handle. Only had 1 hood scoop. It was a very strong running car for sure. Didnt know what i had till later on in life… Wish i still had it…lol

    Like 1
    • Avatar Stan Marks

      Kevin, If your ’69 or ’70 GTO, had a single hood scoop, it wasn’t factory. The last year, for the single hood scoop, was ’67. Someone pulled a switcheroo.

      We all wish we had our old muscle cars. I miss my ’65 goat.
      Too bad I didn’t have a crystal ball.

      Like 0
  3. Avatar Steve

    Had a 69 judge back in the day..
    Lots of fun! Had mine painted silver…had black interior and black top.

    Like 2
  4. Avatar Jost

    Wow, this one is red with white top and interior, with black tips on the hood scoops. My 69 goat was red with black top and interior with white tips on the hood scoops. So very tempting to me….
    Troy is correct , this is not a day 2 car, this is all 1980.s.

    Like 2
  5. Avatar Whynot Member

    Now I like this. A throw back 70’s muscle for sale that doesn’t break the bank. I too love the skinnies up front.

    Like 1
  6. Avatar Stan Marks
  7. Avatar Craigo

    I actually like this car but I’m reluctant because the owner couldn’t tidy things up bit. Did he ever even take care of this car when it ran?

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Stan Marks

    Kevin, If your ’69 or ’70 GTO, had a single hood scoop, it wasn’t factory. The last year, for the single hood scoop, was ’67. Someone pulled a switcheroo.

    We all wish we had our old muscle cars. I miss my ’65 goat.
    Too bad I didn’t have a crystal ball.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Jost

      If I kept this car, that car, a car, lol…if I bought Apple stock at $5. A share I could havevvthem all! Stan is right!

      Like 1
  9. Avatar Stan Marks

    1970 GTO “The Judge”
    Open in full screen & enjoy.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGPpwmIPeTM

    Like 1
  10. Avatar Kevin Ferrell

    Well it prob was a switcharoo then. It had the one hoodscoop. I thought it was the ram air 4 or maybe 3. Had the smallblock 400 2barrell with the 400 trans 4 speed. The car was fast even with the 2barrell.

    Like 0

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