Real GTO, Accurate Ram Air IV, Built by Hendrick Motorsports for Rick Hendrick

Description

With muscle cars, and GTOs in particular, there’s a fairly gray area between real-deal, matching-numbers cars with a pedigree and the various fakes, tributes, and clones running around. Some are just because a guy wants a GTO but can’t afford a real one. Some are done because it’s easy to put GTO badges on a Tempest and make a few extra bucks. And some are like this stunning 1969 Pontiac GTO convertible, which is an exacting replica of a factory Ram Air IV convertible, of which only 14 were built and which currently change hands for, oh, about $300,000. Even better, it was commissioned by the legendary Rick Hendrick (yes, THAT Rick Hendrick of NASCAR fame) and the frame-off restoration was performed by the noted GTO experts at John Kane Restoration. It is a real-deal GTO, not a total fake, and remains in show-quality condition today. 

The paperwork that accompanies this spectacular Goat calls it a “one of none” meaning that the factory never built a Judge Silver GTO with a red interior. That doesn’t mean they couldn’t, just that nobody ordered that particular combination on that particular car. Now that you’ve seen it in person, it might be hard to understand why nobody chose this look because it’s simply stunning. The sheetmetal is laser-straight and I can’t tell you if any of it has been replaced simply because there’s no evidence. On the other hand, there’s no way the factory was building them this nice, so whatever the case, this car is exceptional. The urethane nose cone is unmarked, the doors and hood fit beautifully, and the trunk, even with the heavy wing on top, swings effortlessly on its hinges. Flip-up headlights are a desirable option and you’ll note that they added black hood nostrils and proper “Ram Air IV” markings on the hood (which are painted, not decals). The single swooping black and red J79 body side stripes add just the right contrast to what would otherwise be a fairly low-key car, but between the red interior, reline tires, and black top, they’re the perfect accent. Obviously all the chrome and stainless has been restored, the emblems are like new, and even the beautiful rear side marker lights are crisply rendered. If you didn’t already know this was a “one of none” you’d swear it was a $300,000 car.

The red interior is brand new and there are no surprises here because nothing is modified or altered from stock spec. The seats are firm and supportive with fresh foam underneath—perhaps too firm simply because nobody’s ever driven the thing. The good news is that it will only get better from here. Fresh carpets, a color-matched steering wheel, new dash pad, and a myriad of other parts were replaced to give it a factory-fresh look. The original interior was Parchment, so anything you can see is obviously new. All the gauges are fully operational, the woodgrained appliques are bright, and all the knobs, switches, and bezels are new. Heck, even the seat belts are brand new. The only things that stand out are the heavy rubber GTO floor mats, but that’s easy to remedy and if you’re going to drive it, they’re not a bad idea. Overhead there’s a brand new black power convertible top that folds effortlessly and stows under a matching red boot (two boots are included, as a matter of fact). The trunk is accurately detailed with a reproduction mat, full-sized spare tire with jack assembly, and a matching cover.

John Kane did his homework for the build (it was for Rick Hendrick, after all) and that means the Ram Air IV insignias aren’t just for show. The 400 cubic inch Pontiac block is a correct 9792506 casting with a JX stamping code, both correct for a 1969 GTO Ram Air IV with automatic transmission. It also carries a correct set of round port 722 casting cylinder heads and a proper Winters aluminum intake manifold topped by a proper Rochester Quadrajet. The big air cleaner assembly inhales directly from the air nostrils on the top of the hood, hence the “Ram Air” designation, a term Pontiac invented. It’s nicely detailed with Pontiac Turquoise engine enamel that shows just the right amount of metallic, plus chrome valve covers that were a GTO feature from day one. And you know they got the little stuff right, too: tower hose clamps, GM-stamped hoses, a date-coded distributor, and even the hot air hose from the driver’s side exhaust manifold. Even better, it starts and runs beautifully without any of the fussiness that you’d expect from a high-performance engine. It idles at 700 RPM with a nice burble from the twin tailpipes out back, it pulls without a hitch, and it never feels like it’s working very hard, although you will suddenly find yourself hurtling along at speeds that’ll get you an expensive ticket. This is not some fussy trailer queen, but a fully sorted car that probably runs every bit as well as the best factory-built Ram Air IV.

Underneath, the chassis is highly detailed and the fruits of the insanely expensive frame-off restoration are quite obvious. No patches, no rust, no questionable workmanship, and aside from the X-pipe and Flowmaster mufflers, it’s exactly how the factory would have done it. The front suspension is all new, so it tracks smoothly and steers easily. The suspension is supple yet firm, something that’s hard to quantify but you’ll understand after a drive. The TH400 3-speed automatic transmission seems to have a higher-stall torque converter inside because this car lunges off the line, and like all Ram Air IV cars, there are 3.90 gears and a Saf-T-Track limited slip inside the 12-bolt rear end. There are few very, very minor signs of use, but this car is exceptional in every way that matters. Even the Rally II wheels are correct and come complete with trim rings and a set of 225/70/14 BFGoodrich Silvertown redline radials which look right and handle great. 

Even though it’s not really a Ram Air IV car, it is nevertheless very nicely documented with a full PHS package that proves it’s a real-deal GTO. It also includes extensive documentation from Rick Hendrick as well as a stand-up show board.

Exceptional cars stand out, and this silver GTO glows in the showroom. It is superior in workmanship and finish quality, and if not for the fact that a few numbers stamped into the engine block don’t match a few other numbers on the dashboard, you would never know it isn’t one of those $300,000 originals. The quality is just over-the-top, the color combination is stunning, and the way it drives is probably better than new. This is not some garden-variety clone, this is a car built to replicate one of Pontiac’s best, built by the best names in the business, for a guy known for his uncompromising dedication to quality. And with all that in mind, the asking price starts to look like a bit of a bargain. Call today!