Frame Off Restored GTO Judge 400 Ram Air III V8 TH400

In the golden age of American muscle the Pontiac GTO was king. And today, when you're looking to grab a piece of Detroit's finest iron without closing out your retirement, a numbers-matching, investment grade GTO is one of the smartest purchases on the market. There's no reason a blue chip classic should cost more than the mortgage on your house. And there's ABSOLUTELY no reason spending your hard earned money should result in a 'rope and red carpet' trailer queen. After all, being a part of GM's rambunctious Pontiac family was never about striking pretty parking lot poses. This fully-sorted Judge, with its original Ram Air V8, correct Turbo-Hydramatic 3-speed and stunning red on black color combination, is the kind of car you can enjoy WHILE it appreciates. If you're the kind of gearhead who likes to put their hardware on the field and the street, you're looking at your next classic!

To authenticate this Pontiac's status as a real-deal GTO, I'll go ahead and break down both its VIN and cowl tag.

VIN: 242379B162968

* 2 – Pontiac
* 42 – GTO and Judge
* 37 – 2-door hardtop
* 9 – 1969 model year
* B – Assembled in Baltimore, Maryland
* 1 – One of the first 100K V8 cars produced
* 62968 – Production sequence number

COWL TAG:

* 69 – 1969 model year
* 24237 – 2: Pontiac, 42: GTO and Judge, 37: 2-door hardtop
* BAL – Assembled at GM's Baltimore, Maryland manufacturing facility
* 564545 – Production sequence number
* 257 – Parchment interior
* 72 – Carousel Red lower exterior paint
* 72 – Carousel Red upper exterior paint
* 03A – Assembled during the third week of January, 1969
* 137756 – Arlington Assembly body code

According to this sinister goat's Pontiac Historic Services documents, it was produced at GM's Baltimore assembly plant and delivered to Bill Beck Pontiac right here in Charlotte, North Carolina. Recently, a high quality, professional restoration transformed the car into a straight, road-ready classic that looks great from any angle. And presently, all its moving parts function as well as the day they left the showroom. On top of those parts, correct Carousel Red is amped beyond 11 by vivid Judge décor. And a mirror-like clearcoat defines sculpted, muscular lines with excellent, unbroken reflections.

By the late 60s, Pontiac had pretty much perfected its revolutionary performance car both mechanically and aesthetically. At the front of this coupe's body, a highly renowned Endura bumper hangs stainless-trimmed grilles and a pristine “G T O” emblem between four T3 headlights, a stainless-trimmed valence and clear, stainless-trimmed parking lamps. Behind that bumper, a Ram Air bonnet props black-detailed scoops in front of hidden windshield wipers, like-new glass and excellent stainless frames. At the sides of that bonnet, expressive 'coke bottle' fenders are highlighted by dent-free rocker trim, bright “G T O” emblems, classy chrome door handles and a factory-correct mirror. And at the back of those fenders, a thick chrome bumper centers simple tail lights and a small “G T O” script between a large spoiler, cool “GTO” branded marker lamps and pristine Pypes exhaust tips.

Pop this awesome A-Body's hood and you'll find an original, 400 cubic inch Ram Air III V8 that's branded with a familiar 9790071 casting number, a correct “YZ” engine stamp and a matching 162968 partial VIN. Turning stout 10.75 to 1 compression into 366 horsepower and 445 lb./ft. of torque, this fully rebuilt powerhouse utilizes original, open chamber heads, hardened valve seats, a hydraulic cam and a double roller timing chain to provide the legendary Pontiac performance we all know and love. At the top of the storied mill, a Satin Black air cleaner funnels wind into a big, 4-barrel carburetor. Behind that carburetor, a traditional points distributor shoots fire though fresh Packard TV R Suppression cables. Below those cables, restored, cast iron exhaust manifolds roar into large, true-dual pipes. And in front of those pipes, a beefy radiator hangs a correct fan shroud between pliable GM hoses, reproduction tower clamps and a standard issue pulley fan. The hot Pontiac block displays slick Turquoise pigment from its intake all the way to its oil pan. The car's fenders, firewall and hood are covered in a smooth combination of Carousel Red and Satin Black. And niceties such as chrome valve covers, stainless fluid lines and a new Delco battery topper can be found in all the right places.

Park this Poncho on a lift and you'll really begin to appreciate the amount of time spent on its body-off restoration. Clean, Satin Black floors, which appear to be original, ride above a straight frame that's held together with new stainless hardware. Traveling up and down those floors is fresh stainless fluid lines that run to either a bright stainless fuel tank or heavy duty brakes. In the middle of the chassis, a correct Turbo-Hydramatic 400 3-speed sends power through a 1,500 RPM stall converter to a mandatory GM 10-bolt and big, 3.55 gears. The car's familiar double A-arm front and 4-link rear suspension has been completely restored with fresh spiral shocks, a correct GTO sway bar and variable-ratio power steering. Aluminized, true-dual exhaust aligns welded, dual-chamber mufflers with the aforementioned Pypes tips. And, at the corners of the floor, stylish Rally IIs spin vintage G70-14 Goodyear Wide Oval Super Sports around red-lettered “PMD” center caps.

Take a look inside this goat's airy cockpit and you'll find a correct Parchment interior that plays perfectly against the car's bright exterior armor. At the front of that cockpit, a straight and crack-free dash hangs a correct Delco radio and bright wood applique below sporty Rally Gauges. At the center of the floor, a consoled shifter rides between restored and stainless-trimmed seats. At the sides of those seats, good looking Parchment door panels hang red-detailed “GTO” emblems among correct stainless trim and fresh chrome hardware. Below those panels, clean carpet contrasts correct, chrome-trimmed foot pedals and thick, Pontiac-branded floor mats. Opposite that carpet, a stain-free headliner stretches from pillar to post. In front of the driver, a stealthy steering wheel spins glossy vinyl around a satin-finished arrowhead. And behind the passengers, a fully restored trunk hides a correct mat, new tools and a full-size spare tire beneath a fresh decklid decal.

The sale of this striking classic includes an original owner's manual, restoration receipts, restoration photos, a cam card, a reproduction window sticker and the aforementioned Pontiac Historic Services documents.

This pristine Judge is certainly one of the coolest GTOs we've ever featured. And most diehard Pontiac fans will agree that 1969 was a high-water mark in terms of styling, performance and exclusivity. With a professional restoration and correct drivetrain, nothing will interfere with this coupe being both a weapon on the street and a winner on the show field. And if you're a dedicated enthusiast who's looking for the perfect opportunity to pick up the ORIGINAL muscle car, nothing can stop you now!