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1969 Pontiac GTO Convertible Ram Air IV

1969 Pontiac GTO Convertible Ram Air IV

1969 Pontiac GTO Convertible Ram Air IV

With what started as a performance package on the Tempest, the GTO became a staple of the muscle car era. With cars such as the Chevlle SS396, Plymouth Roadrunner and Ford Mustang 427 gaining sales, Pontiac responded with performance options which kept the GTO in the market until 1974.

Still retaining the trademark hidden headlight option and Endura front bumper, 1969 GTOs were relatively similar to the 1968 cars . The only major change to the GTO line was the Judge package named after a phrase in the television show ‘Laugh In’. These cars included a large rear wing, blacked out fenders, a hood mounted tach and decals on the front fenders. Usually sold in Carousel Red and other hot colors the Judge was a hard car to miss. Through the Judge’s image, Pontiac was able to reestablish the GTO in the muscle car market.

Standard GTOs came with the 400 cu. in V8. A Ram Air III option, rated at 366 horsepower, used different porting in the cylinder heads, a free flowing exhaust and a ram-air system. The hood scoops were fully functional with the driver being able to open and close the scoop via a dash mounted cable.

More exclusive than the Ram Air III was the Ram Air IV. It used new cylinder heads, new rockers, a more radical camshaft and an aluminum intake manifold with a Rochester Quadrajet carburetor. Air conditioning was deleted and an automatic or manual transmission could be chosen. Only 759 GTOs received the Ram Air IV package in 1969, and of those 59 were convertibles

In Detail

submitted by Richard Owen
engine Quadra-Jet V8
position Front Longitudinal
valvetrain Pushrod Operated OHV, 2 Valves per Cyl
fuel feed Rochester Quadrajet Carburetor
displacement 6555 cc / 400.0 in³
bore 105 mm / 4.13 in
stroke 95 mm / 3.74 in
compression 10.75:1
power 275.9 kw / 370 bhp @ 5500 rpm
specific output 56.45 bhp per litre
bhp/weight 232.85 bhp per tonne
torque 603.34 nm / 445 ft lbs @ 3400 rpm
body / frame Unit Steel
driven wheels RWD w/LSD
front brakes Discs w/Power Assist
f brake size mm / in
rear brakes Discs w/Power Assist
r brake size mm / in
f suspension Doubel Wishbones
r suspension Live Axle
curb weight 1589 kg / 3503 lbs
wheelbase 2845 mm / 112.0 in
front track 1499 mm / 59 in
rear track 1499 mm / 59 in
length 5110 mm / 201.2 in
width 1925 mm / 75.8 in
height 1328 mm / 52.3 in
gear ratios :1
final drive 3.55:1
top speed ~201.2 kph / 125.0 mph
0 – 60 mph ~5.9 seconds
0 – 1/4 mile ~14.7 seconds