A GTO Judge That Can't Be Bought

This Pontiac GTO Judge has a Ram Air III 400, a Muncie 4-speed and been restored by its owner with original and NOS parts!

[@michaelkehm3663]

Was a Pontiac Service Manager in late 1972. Still had a few original owner GTO's coming in for maintenance and repairs. One was a 69 Judge in Warwick blue with a pearl white interior, 4 speed car. Loved being asked to test drive after a tune up and carb overhaul. Also had a difficult guy who bought a white 70 Judge with a 455HO 4 speed. He scattered the engine and we had to replace it under the 5year/50,000 mile engine warranty. He had abused it and the factory rep had to ok a new long block. Dealer handed the guy the keys when the job was completed and told him to never bring the Goat to the dealership again since he tripled our monthly warranty cost. Never saw the car again.

[@MrGTO-ze7vb]

LOL, I drove your Judge back in San Jose..!!! Those were the great old times with Bruce and Ed at the Goat Farm..!!!!

[@musclecarcampy9922]

Wow!

[@daveg.6820]

Terrific video. Kevin is an old friend of mine and he really deserves this video coverage. He doesn't mess around. Plus, this is not the only fabulous Pontiac he owns. A great guy. Cheers.

[@abetango]

Shifts like Butta

[@musclecarcampy9922]

You know it!

[@jsimo1431]

my highschool shop teacher gave me his keys and said get his car from the street and get it on the lift. was a judge and i was scared shitless to say the least. i can't explain how heavy the clutch was, and it was touchy too. trying to get it on the lift was beyond scary. i thought for sure i was going to pop the clutch, but i somehow managed. when i finally got it on the lift he had the look like a proud dad. never forgot that.

[@VideoAmazed]

Hey.....! That's my ole Buddy Kevin from Clearwater FL ! You did us Pontiac GTO Judge Guys Right ! Very nice ride Kevin !

[@user-vn6vx6rf7d]

Nice to see our 'ole Judge in such good hands- still. I bought this car in San Jose, CA back in 1986 for $6500.00 I believe it was, from a client of Bruce Bethels (Bethels Goat Farm), and drove it cross country back to Clearwater FL where I soon handed it over to my little brother John. RE: My brother and I went out there to buy two, but Bruce decided last minute not sell us his same colors, all original one, because I guess he thought we were too young. (I was 22 and my brother was 18). I flew out to Louisville, KY a month later and bought a Crystal Blue on parchment one. (I forged my dads signature on the loan docs in the bank parking lot because he was busy lol- and I did not want to miss that car!) We had a blast driving and racing the two real, original engine 1969 RAIII 4-speed Judges around Clearwater for a while. We unfortunately had to give up both cars due to our dad having unexpected, serious financial problems back then (we fought like hell to keep them), but I'm really glad Kevin tracked it down after and gave it such a good home. Kevin did a fantastic job making make the car much nicer today than when I bought it back in '86. When I bought it in CA, all I did was check the oil, water, and tires before driving it cross country- it never missed a beat. Nothing like driving and American legend across the country much to the delight of everyone who drove by. I never really got into that car hard until I was a few miles from home. It did not disappoint! Kevin let me drive it again a few years ago- same week my mom passed away. It was bittersweet and literally brough tears to my eyes...the next best thing to time travel. This car has QUITE story. -Wayne Blackburn

[@musclecarcampy9922]

I hope you enjoyed the video.

[@user-vn6vx6rf7d]

I did :) @@musclecarcampy9922

[@jasonmacneil2256]

Kevin seems like he has such a good heart. I love his happiness and passion for his Judge! Got me laughing with the "rubber calling cards" he left all over town!!😁

[@matrox]

I remember in 69' when these Judges would pull up to us at a light and me and my brother would be gawking at these beauties. I wasn't old enough to drive and didnt get my Lic until 74 or 75' and bought a 69' RoadRunner after HS.

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

That’s definitely my all time favorite muscle car! And they just keep climbing up in prices!👌😎👍

[@musclecarcampy9922]

If people didn't love them, they'd all be rusting away in junkyards.

[@bluesman7475]

Very nice historic car. The 69 is the best looking GTO in my opinion. Single stage Deltron is a great coating. Good choice. I would wait for that RA IV to warm up, no worry. But the RA III is a great motor.

[@USFlittlebull]

Absolutely beautiful! Can just feel the Pontiac 'Excitement' when driving.

[@musclecarcampy9922]

I felt the excitement just looking at it. Hearing it run and driving it took the word excitement to another level entirely.

[@jasonmacneil2256]

@@musclecarcampy9922 Amen.

[@user-lh9nl7fm6l]

We have a 1969 GTO Judge Ram Air III 400 identical to this one. Had it for about 20 yrs. now.

[@musclecarcampy9922]

Great cars.

[@DanEBoyd]

When I was a little kid, my neighbor across the street got a Carrousel Red '69 GTO as a five year old used car, but it wasn't a Judge. He did put some Cragar SS on it though.

[@davedavis775]

Love these cars . My brother had a 65 tri power GTO hardtop . I was a Pontiac fan and got my first in 1982 . A 77 Trans Am that was totally stock. I got a 69 Ram Air III from a basket case GTO and installed in my T/A. I lived not far from a real GTO enthusiast . Wayne Garrison who owned quite a few GTO's . I bought some parts from Wayne . He had a 69 Carousel red Judge Ram Air III, 4 speed , I believe 3.90 rear . His dad was the original owner and bought the car having worked on the Baltimore Assembly line building them .

[@jasonmacneil2256]

Dave, I dont suppose you Brother lived in Lakeview Oregon ever?

[@mikemanning7809]

My dad bought this 69 GTO when he came home from Vietnam

[@tommyjohnson3294]

My 67 GTO is from the Freemont Factory

[@markreynolds7343]

In 1969 my brother was in the NAVY stationed Idaho Falls, Idaho. He was looking for a Z-28, but the Chevy dealer didn't have one. They were also the Pontiac dealer and had a brand new Judge. He bought it and I got to drive it once when he came home on leave. Being only 16 I did not do anything stupid.

[@Tusuperbis]

My stepdad told me that a Pontiac dealer here in southern Ohio had a carousel red 69 judge that was loaded with every option available in 69. He tried to buy it in mid 1970 but, they still wanted full sticker price for it. They finally sold it as a new car in 1973. He said whoever bought it must not have been from around here because, he never seen it again.

[@markcronk8109]

Exceptional car and great owner! The 69 Judge is my favorite too!

[@musclecarcampy9922]

Correct on both counts.

[@frankszymkowski7780]

My favorite 69 judge anywhere. You did a hell of a job

[@larryyose6559]

Here comes the Judge.

[@ArtieTheStrongestManInTheWorld]

I have always loved the GTO Judge. Side-note: none of the license plates were blurred in the video.

[@hansgruber650]

A friend in Philly is known for his Pontiacs past and present, currently has a 69 Ram Air III and 70 Ram Air IV.

[@musclecarcampy9922]

Bad ass.

[@tpock63]

Amazing car & caretaker to this GTO, love the passion unless your a car guy you won't get it

[@musclecarcampy9922]

So right you are.

[@gilbertcarrasco3095]

Beautiful rebuilt GTO. I always loved the 69 Pontiac GTO Judge. I've been fortunate to have bought and still have the 69 GTO Judge. After discharged from the military in 1968, 6 months later, I saw and bought my GTO. Every part of my car is still original. I'm hoping to have it completely restored to original looking.

[@musclecarcampy9922]

Congratulations on keeping it all these years and thanks for your service.

[@andylowe2725]

I love all the work you did, and I love this car! WOW

[@musclecarcampy9922]

Glad you like it!

[@Feb69Judge]

Super video! The valance mini grills were designed to hide the vacuum actuators. I met the chief designer for Pontiac GTO Judge at POCI nationals at the Texas Motor Speedway he redesigned the front and rear end of the Judge, etc. Great guy. Da Judge looked and sounded amazing, The owner is a very smart, knowledgeable detail oriented! Although I probably would not have let you drive mine LOL.

[@musclecarcampy9922]

I would be more worried about the other drivers on the road. They really scare me.

[@Feb69Judge]

@@musclecarcampy9922 Very Very True!! Great Judge Video, Thanks for posting.

[@paulvonauth7254]

the absolute nicest 69 GTO Judge was purchased/owned by William Reinhart from Toledo, Ohio. Today it's the lowest mileage Judge in a car collection...and it's one of the few with the parchment interior (white).

[@dragginwagon406]

I’m from the Toledo area, did that car leave Toledo or is it still here?

[@joeshmoe1436]

Amazing judge, beautiful piece of history , absolutely agree with the favorite car on the planet statement ,

[@michaelreilly1310esq]

The other aspect is that not only did Pontiac invent the muscle car but they were unquestionably the best looking of them all

[@michaelkehm3663]

Thanks for the video and ride along, stunning Judge and I wouldn't sell it either since would be almost impossible to duplicate it.

[@julieguido6905]

Such a beauty !!!!!!!! I loved riding around in it. Congrats on the interview 👏

[@musclecarcampy9922]

Thanks for watching!

[@dianestrauss9699]

Kevin! Fabulous car! Video is wonderful also!

[@musclecarcampy9922]

Thank you.

[@garyblanchard1084]

Some griped that by 1969 the mid size GM muscle cars gained too much weight yet they still looked great and were by no means slow.

[@harley8728]

beautiful

[@JoeMama-ec3mr]

Great interview.

[@musclecarcampy9922]

Thanks!

[@unclerudy9797]

I paid $850.00 for mine in 1977.... Ram Air III Power Brakes, No Power Steering... Canadian build... Those were the days....

[@musclecarcampy9922]

I remember looking for a GTO in 1978. A lot of them had big block Chevys in them by then. Crazy.

[@bradgrissom5738]

What an awesome car! Great video Campy!

[@gilbertwashburn7095]

Beautiful judge1970 when I was a kid my neighbor bought a brand new 70 judge it was Green had about 400 miles on it the dealership uses for a demo car nobody wanted a green GTO but I thought it was awesome that it was Green I was 13 years old that guy was cool he no longer owns it but I don't know if it even exists can't be too many green ones great video thanks have a great day keeps me inspired

[@musclecarcampy9922]

The first time I saw a neighbor’s Carousel Red ‘69 Judge with that decklid spoiler I was shocked. Until a guy down the street bought a Superbird in 1970. That was shocking.

[@ChadsWebshop]

Stunning ride! Great video!

[@musclecarcampy9922]

Thanks you very much!

[@dynamicfirearmsinc432]

Nice the real deal very cool.

[@dynamicfirearmsinc432]

The real deal very cool.

[@dragginwagon406]

Great video, love the history lesson. Keep the videos coming.

[@musclecarcampy9922]

Thanks. Will do.

[@MrFrankCamp]

Beautiful!

[@frankszymkowski7780]

Wow kevin!!!! Love it. So damn beautiful

[@keviningle7246]

All Rise!

[@user-so3xk6zh7o]

Had a 69 judge after high school traded a 75 Catalina for it then totaled it shortly after dang shame have a 70 gto now

[@gnws6]

That AM radio comment. lol. -- Beautiful car for sure, the '69 Judge is one of the cars on my "short list." I remember reading about them in the '80s and '90s as a kid in Muscle Car Review, and I had one as a model kit, too, growing up. Awesome car.

[@musclecarcampy9922]

The owner spared no time or money tracking down OE parts. Radio played crystal clear, too! Glad to have you on board as a subscriber.

[@parrotlovers1]

Beautiful car and a restored gem. Kevin is wrong however on the ram air IV engines. The ram air IV engines ran fine in colder weather with the cross over under the intake manifold. However, if you removed it, as many people did, then it was very difficult to run in colder weather. The ram air IV engine was a superior motor, and few exist today because they were thrashed on the street and strip. A ram air IV judge is worth its weight in gold but like so many Judges seen today, fakes are everywhere!!! Seems there is more Judges seen today than ever made by Pontiac. That is common with any rare classic today!!!

[@jackcompton8752]

Gas Tires & Oil! Listen to the lope of that cam! Sad that today's youth can't find $500 cars to work on. As if the car prices aren't bad enough, the cost of parts is ridiculous. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to own, work on & drive classic American muscle. Now I have a flame red 2022 Ram 1500 Classic 2wd (Gen 4) reg cab, short bed with 5.7 hemi, 8spd & limited slip with 392 gears. She scoots! And, what I've seen from Ram it's the last of her kind... they aren't building anymore reg cab short bends.

[@billgonzales8978]

had one just like it, wish i still had it paid 4000.00 for it

[@starman6280]

That transmission may be a Muncie, but it doesn't sound like a rock crusher. An M22 would have made that car so much better than it already is.

[@musclecarcampy9922]

The gear ratios are the same in an M21 and M22, so it would be louder with an M22, but better? I dunno.

[@starman6280]

@@musclecarcampy9922 I've owned both transmissions, M21, M22. Nothing wrong with either one, but that gear whine that gave the Rock-Crusher its name make a huge difference in how the car feels. For me the car feels like it has a more commanding presence. That is a big part of the musclecar experience. I mean c'mon the Judge is 'shouty", bold, unafraid to make himself known.Who wants a quiet musclecar? Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying talk this car down, It is spectacular. Just stating a personal preference.

[@musclecarcampy9922]

@@starman6280I have also owned M21 and M22 cars. You make an excellent point here.

[@RO-cf3lz]

Best of the best. My best friend owned one exactly like this one. An absolute beautiful car assuming it is stock like off assembly line.

[@musclecarcampy9922]

Yes it is.

[@gregkistner1955]

An amazing car indeed!!

[@musclecarcampy9922]

Driving it was truly great.

[@garyclem19]

Traded my blue 67 gto in 69 for my Judge. Wish i still had my beast back.

[@johnhall8364]

Beautiful car! Really nicely restored. Only things that catches my eye is the white letter tires which were never offered on 69 GTO’s. Also the rear ride height is noticeably higher than stock.

[@GetsumJ]

At 61, I have had a few cars. Never had a Judge, but did have a 70 GNX and a 71 HO-455 WC code, which was a beast. I cut a trade for a 67 GT-500 W coded oiler (Dealer Convert) Shelby #67402F-2A00366. I raced many Hemi's, 400 Tri-powers, and yes; a few Judges. No offense, but the only other car that gave me a run for the money was the COPO 9561 Camaro. The cars that ate me alive were the T-Bolts and the Shelby Cobras. No offense, but most all Hemi cars were just too heavy for the Elephant to move.

[@matrox]

GTO=Grand Tempest Option.

[@musclecarcampy9922]

Never heard that one before.

[@matrox]

@@musclecarcampy9922 The original name by pontiac during development.

[@musclecarcampy9922]

@@matrox I’ve been writing about Pontiacs and GTOs for over 30 years and I’ve never heard that before. Interesting.

[@billmagorian490]

Awesome car. Great interview. A little more detail on the build. What did he have to do on the interior? Carpet, headliner, seats, dash, gauges ect. I don't know if the owner said how many years the restoration took from when he bought it to completion.

[@davidroberson8030]

I may have missed it but I never heard what size motor the thing had I don't know why they don't talk about that stuff I did see something that said it had 300 and something horsepower that's about it.

[@russelltackett4779]

@@davidroberson8030 Says ram 400 4 speed

[@ogtfno]

🔥🐐🔥

[@genegoodwin8925]

My brother in law had a 1968 442 which I thouh=ght was great, but I have to admit the JUDGE was much better loooking.

[@racerx7319]

1968 THE HURST OLDS 455 HAD 380 HP .

[@musclecarcampy9922]

390, actually, but you got milder heads and cam if you ordered it with AC.

[@alanarmstrong2323]

You could also get the 427 t bolt !

[@backroom12]

That cam wow pure music . Mines sounds pretty good but that’s a bit better . Ram air !!

[@charlieb308]

Imagine buying a muscle car back in 1991, instead of paying 90 grand you paid 10K. Unfortunately GTOs in last 3 years prices have doubled.

[@musclecarcampy9922]

Imagine buying Apple or Amazon stock when it was next to nothing.

[@charlieb308]

@@musclecarcampy9922 in early 1993 I saw a 1969 Dodge Charger for sale, 440, zero rust, ran perfect but could use a paint job, $7,500. Now that car is $70,000

[@darrellbounds9919]

That is funny my 442 would and did make the judge cry 😢 stock 445

[@Tusuperbis]

I believe that! Except for maybe a Ram Air IV stock for stock?

[@russelltackett4779]

😆🤣

[@elbatosarosatodriguez9769]

🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷

[@rogerwydler1482]

Ram Air IVs being traded in because they warmed up slowly? Any GTO with a Ram Air IV is more interesting and valuable than any Ram Air III car Judge included. See the results form the 2023 Mecum auctions in Kissimmee Florida? My GTO was owned by the original owner for 7 years and blew any Ram Air III car off the road. Yes they had such a tremendous cam and advantages in drive train and most people wouldn't race a cold Ram Air IV car but once warmed up they would eat the competition.

[@scottmoore1530]

i've got that same carburetor on my 69 gto judge non matching engine. please don't hype up a Judge cause the only rare thing was the engine,

[@user-vn6vx6rf7d]

There were several different Rochester Quadrajets for 69 GTOs, depending on auto or manual trans, RAIII or RAIV. The latter are very hard to find and high dollar when you find a good original. Both RA engines were available in GTO's and Judges.

[@howardcooper1187]

Very weird guy. I bet that car is his best friend lol

[@musclecarcampy9922]

He is a fine individual. And he has great taste in cars.

[@michaelhamm6805]

WRONG TACH. That's a GTO Tach, NOT a Judge Tach...a Judge redlined at 5500 RPM, not 5000...

[@user-vn6vx6rf7d]

WRONG. The 5100 RPM Redline IS correct for the RAIII 400, which is what this car has.

[@backroom12]

The 71 t37 is a boring looking car . Front ends on those cars look like the ultimate grand pa car . It has the 455 big deal . Still ugly lol the 72 gto front end is miles ahead in terms of looks and could have the same engine

[@douglasdobson8110]

Judges never had retractable headlights . . . people all over the place pretending they have Judges, my brother had a real one, 1969 with the Judge plaque on the dashboard with the run number and the original owners name. His was a 400 with ram air IV and he installed a Muncie five speed. If someone says they have a judge the first thing I look at is the headlights, if they're retractable it's not a Judge and the second thing I look for is the plaque on the dash, if it's not there it's not a Judge, and when I see there's no plaque and the headlights retract I call it what it is, a fake Judge, because everyone who builds themselves a fake judge deserves to be called out on it. This car here, It's a GTO, it's NOT a Judge

[@musclecarcampy9922]

Sorry to tell you this, but hidden headlights were optional on Judges. Pontiac showed Judges in ads and commercials with hideaways and there are vintage road tests from when Judges were new that show them with hidden lights.

[@douglasdobson8110]

@@musclecarcampy9922 and did you also select the option to not have the plaque installed on the dash like every single Judge made had? I will believe what I know until someone proves me wrong, consider that a challenge, I say that car never was a Judge because it has no plaque and retractable headlights. If you're so sure I'm wrong then post the proof, I'll be happy to review it

[@douglasdobson8110]

I had a similar argument with an engine rebuilding company, they said all 350 Cubic inch engines were small blocks, I told him my Buick 350 was a big block, he argued until he discovered he was wrong and then he vanished. My brother had a real legit Judge, 1969. What you have IS a GTO, they offerred the flip headlights on GTO's but without the dash plaque and the headlights being wrong, I don't believe this to be a Judge, why would you remove the plaque? that plaque is all the proof you need if it's a Judge and every real Judge came with one hard mounted on the dash . . . Whatever, I don't believe it's a real Judge, but I'm not the final word so you believe what you want, I can be wrong, I'm not above admitting that. I believe this is a GTO but not a Judge, but look at the bright side, I didn't call it a Lemans . . . . lol, if it never had the plaque it was never a Judge . . . cheers

[@douglasdobson8110]

@@musclecarcampy9922 I mean your fake Judge is still a nice GTO, It's just funny how every guy with a GTO thinks they have a real Judge when most of them don't, and they (like you) will argue over their fake Judge and be very sensitive to it being called a fake. My Brother's GTO Judge was 1969 run number 528 so his was the 528th Judge made in '69, tell me what your run number was? Should be right on that plaque that doesn't exist on your dashboard . . . ALL JUDGES HAD THE PLAQUE, yours doesn't, yours is not a Judge . . . end of story

[@user-vn6vx6rf7d]

Douglas, do the owner of this car (and the general public) a favor and delete your comment. RE: I owned this car sir, I'm happy to defend it 38 years after I owned it. I know it very well and the current owner is my friend. You apparently do not know (among other things) it is very easy to document a real JUDGE. Pontiac Historical Services / PHS documents prove it was in fact BORN A REAL JUDGE. Hide-a-way headlamps WERE an option on ALL versions of the 1969 GTO- including THE Judge. Very early '69 Judges DID NOT come with a glove box THE JUDGE emblem. This car does, it is later production. And... a Muncie 5 speed? I'm sure you meant either a Richmond, or Tremec. 5-speed. @douglasdobson8110