Color Change: 1969 Pontiac GTO Hardtop – Sold?

February 11, 2022 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

Pontiac GTOs are among the easier muscle cars to document the authenticity of. In addition to the car’s trim tag differentiating GTOs from Lemans (after 1964), if the original build sheet usually found under the back seat has been lost, an owner can reach out to PHS Historical Services to receive a complete package of how a car came originally equipped. A seller who openly provides this documentation usually has a real-deal car.  In the case of this daily-driven 1969 Pontiac GTO originally listed in January 2022 on Craigslist in Rochester, New Hampshire, the seller only provides the Trim Tag located on the car’s firewall:

While the “69 24237” indicates this car started life as a real-deal 1969 Pontiac GTO Hardtop, the “72” upper and lower paint code and “257” trim indicate this GTO came from the factory on the fourth week of May 1969 painted in Carousel Red (Pontiac’s version of Hugger Orange) with a Parchment interior. If we’re reading that correctly, then it indicates someone at some point restored this example using a much less popular Cameo White over Blue color combination in addition to adding the popular Judge trim to the car. (Please comment below if you believe we have decoded the trim tag improperly).  With a color change and other changes underhood, we question whether this ’69 Pontiac GTO has only traveled 44,500 miles. Unless the seller can document that fact, we’ll call the mileage here “TMU”.

Don’t misunderstand us: we love the car, especially since the private seller daily drives this GTO and does not try to pitch the car as an original Judge.  Not everyone wants to fill their garage with a documented GTO that they are afraid to drive.  This 1969, despite what we believe to be a color change of a non-Judge GTO, still represents a great way to enjoy a potent muscle car.

Currently asking $38,500, comparing that price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms the private seller has their 1969 GTO priced between this guide’s #3 “Good” estimate of $33,700 and its #2 “Excellent” appraisal of $55,000.  Similarly, the Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #2 “very Good” estimate of $34,475 and its #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $50,600 before making adjustments based on original equipment.  Please note the values quoted are for a non-Judge-equipped car featuring the base, non-Ram Air engine.

1969 marked the second model year for the second-generation Pontiac GTO. In addition to the typical minor grille and taillight changes typical of the period, the most notable changes were the elimination of side vent windows and the relocation of the ignition key from the dashboard to the steering column as part of a new anti-theft device. Another minor styling change was the switch of the rear quarter panel marker lights from the Pontiac arrowhead style emblem to a “GTO” script. Front-seat headrests were now standard as well.

We came across this 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge commercial featuring the pop band Paul Revere and the Raiders singing about all of the features GTO Judges came equipped with:

If you’re looking for a 1969 Pontiac GTO Hardtop you can daily drive rather than winning Concours events, this may be the Goat for you. A nice feature is the factory air conditioning the next caretaker should invest in making operable again.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1969 GTO. This car is driven daily(only on sunny days)and has always been garaged. It is currently registered and inspected. It has a 400cubic inch engine with an Edelbrock carburetor with an electronic distributor. I do have all the parts for the Ram air. Just need different heads. It has a completely rebuilt front-end steering. New alternator, power steering pump, new gas tank, and sending unit, new steering gearbox, radiator and fan shroud, rear axles, lower control arms, upper and lower ball joints, antenna and mounts, new rear brakes, new front flex brake hoses, new pinion seal and axle seals, new radio, new headliner and dome light, new grille, and lower front valance. I have all the receipts for all these items along with the mileage and dates when installed. The frame is in good condition and rust-free (fluid film every year).

The factory A/C is not operating. Cigarette lighter not working. It needs a heater core(currently disconnected).

This is a fun car to drive and definitely a head-turner.“

Show or go: What would you do with this 1969 Pontiac GTO Hardtop?  Comment below and let us know!