1969 Pontiac GTO

1969 Pontiac GTO The Judge Hardtop Tribute In 2017, the Nissan Rogue SUV was offered in a Star Wars limited edition version with the Rebel Alliance and other logos on a black trimmed commuter. But it wouldn't be the first time pop culture and cars would unite to attract buyers. The Plymouth Roadrunner not only wore decals of the cartoon bird, but even had the Warner Brother's trademarked meep meep horn sound. Then, of course, there was the GTO Judge, a version of the muscle car named for a character on Rowan and Martin's Laugh In, a popular comedy variety show at the time.     For consignment, a 1969 Pontiac GTO The Judge hardtop tribute showing 21,502 miles, but the true miles are unknown. 6,725 hardtops were built with the Judge trim level and upgrades in 1969, but through the aftermarket, many of the components and cosmetic enhancements are available and with the right ingredients. A convincing tribute can be produced, especially when you start with a real GTO!  Exterior Carousel Red was a GTO Judge color in 1969, and it coats our car in two stage beauty, here with the requisite Judge stripes in yellow, black and red. These are unique elongated spears that ride straight over the wheel openings and are paired with the decal on the spoiler and front fenders reading THE JUDGE in a 60's font associated with the TV show. The spoiler, a Judge standard, along with the hood nostrils wearing Ram Air IV decals together create a menacing machine even as highlights are done in bright colors. Back to the tail, two exhaust tips split wide under the straight bumper which contours around the horizontal tail lights. Dual headlights are recessed into the split black grille while the marker lights are carried by the front valance flanking the low intake and what would a GTO be with the GR-RRR tiger license plate? 15-inch Pontiac Rally II wheels look great on the corners and carry staggered size tires. The trim, paint, decals, and wheels are all in great shape and we could not find any glaring exterior imperfections. We would be remiss if we didn't acknowledge the presence of the iconic hood tach!  Interior Monochromatically black, beginning with the door panels, nicely geometric, clean, and a carpeted strip on the lower section. Tall bucket seats live up front, with grain vinyl inserts, a pattern which repeats on the rear bench, and both are in excellent condition. The 3 spoke plastic steering wheel fronts a black plastic triple instrument cluster that includes a clock while simulated wood lines the mid dash housing knobs and an AM/FM radio. Back up in the black and in the center is the vent control panel and as we leapfrog over the woodgrain, we find a double gauge pod added under the dash. Woodgrain dresses up the center console as well where a wood handled shifter looks right at home. Black loop carpet on the floor is in very good shape and so is the headliner above, complete with shoulder belts clipped in place. The clean brigade continues in the trunk where a houndstooth vinyl mat covers some of the floor and the spare tire. Overall, the interior is in fantastic condition.  Drivetrain We're running out of words for clean because the engine bay also presents as, um, sparkling! Here we have a 400ci L78 V8 with #62 heads, and Edelbrock intake, a Holley 4-barrel, and some chrome bits that make it all pop. It's mated to a TH400 3-speed automatic that sends power to the 10 bolt axle with 3.23 gears and Safe-T-Track. Headers head up the exhaust system.  Undercarriage Show ready and yes, clean is how we find the underside. No rust nor errant fluids and the pans, flywheel cover, and rear differential are chromed. The dual exhaust flows through stock style mufflers and exits rather modestly out back. The Carousel Red paint shines bright underneath and the black painted frame is glossy. Suspension consists of coil springs in front and a 4 ink with coil springs in back. Brake configuration puts power brakes on board as f