1968
   GM redesigned its A-body line for 1968, with more curvaceous, "bustleback" fastback styling. The previous 115 in (2921 mm) wheelbase was shortened to 112 in (2845 mm) for all two-door models. Overall length was reduced 5.9 in (150 mm) and height dropped half an inch (12.7 mm), but overall weight was up about 75 lb (34 kg). For the GTO, Pontiac abandoned the familiar stacked headlights for hidden headlights behind the split grille (technically a $52.66 option, but seen on most GTOs). The signature hood scoop was replaced by dual scoops on either side of a prominent hood bulge extending from the protruding nose.
   A unique feature was the body-color Endura front bumper. It was designed to absorb impact without permanent deformation at low speeds. Pontiac touted this feature heavily in advertising, showing hammering at the bumper to no discernable effect. This model year further emphasized the curvacious "coke bottle" styling, as viewed from the side.
   Powertrain options remained substantially the same as in 1967, but the standard GTO engine rose to 350 hp (261 kW) @ 5000 RPM. At mid-year, a new Ram Air package became available with freer-breathing cylinder heads, round port exhaust and the 744 cam and 3:90 gear. Horsepower rating was not changed, although actual output was likely somewhat higher, especially with open exhausts. Another carry-over from 1967 was the 4-piston caliper disc brake option. While most 1968 models had drum brakes all around, this rare option provided enormous stopping power and could be found on other GM A-Body vehicles of the same period. 1968 also marked the last year the GTOs offered separate vent, or "wing", windows - and the only year for crank-operated vent windows.
   Aside from the grille and headlights, several other new gimmicks were offered. One feature was concealed windshield wipers, hidden below the rear edge of the hood. They presented a cleaner appearance and were another Pontiac first for the industry. Another popular option, actually introduced during the 1967 model year, was a hood-mounted tachometer, located just ahead of the windshield and lighted for nighttime visibilty. It could be replaced by an in-dash tach at the buyer's option, but became something of a status symbol.
   Redline bias-ply tires continued as standard equipment on the 1968 GTO though they could be replaced by whitewalls at no extra cost, sourced by various manufacturers under contracts with General Motors such as Uniroyal, Firestone, Goodyear, B.F. Goodrich and General. A new option this year was radial-ply tires for improved ride and handling. However, very few if any '68 GTOs, were delivered with the radial tires due to manufacturing problems encountered by supplier B.F. Goodrich. The radial tire option was quitely discontinued after this one year. Pontiac wouldn't offer radial tires as a factory option on the GTO again until the 1974 model.
   Hot Rod tested a four-speed standard GTO and obtained a quarter mile reading of 14.7 seconds at 97 mph (156 km/h) in pure stock form. Motor Trend clocked a four-speed Ram Air with 4.33 gearing at 14.45 seconds @ 98.2 mph (158.0 km/h) and a standard GTO with Turbo-Hydramatic and 3.23 gears at 15.93 seconds @ 88.3 mph (142.1 km/h). Testers were split about handling, Hot Rod calling it "the best-balanced car [Pontiac] ever built," but Car Life chiding its excessive nose heaviness, understeer, and inadequate damping.
   Now facing serious competition both within GM and from Ford, Dodge, and Plymouth — particularly the latter's new, low-cost Road Runner — the GTO nonetheless won Motor Trend's Car of the Year award, and sales remained strong at 87,684.
   
   1969
   1969 Pontiac GTO JudgeThe new 1969 model did away with the vent windows, had a slight grille and taillight revision, moved the ignition key from the dashboard to the steering column, and the gauge faces changed from steel blue to black. In addition, the rear quarter-panel mounted side marker lamps changed from a red lens shaped like the Pontiac "V" crest to one shaped like the broad GTO badge.
   The previous economy engine and standard 350 hp 400 cubic-inch V8 remained, but the 360 hp engine was dropped in favor of a pair of new Ram Air engines. The 400 c.i. Ram Air III was rated at 366 hp @ 5100 RPM, while the top option was the 370 hp Ram Air IV, which featured special header-like high-flow exhaust manifolds, high-flow cylinder heads, a specific high-rise aluminum intake manifold, larger Rochester QuadraJet four-barrel carburetor, high-lift/long-duration camshaft, forged steel crankshaft plus various beefed-up internal components capable of withstanding higher engine speeds and power output.
   By this time, the gross power ratings of both Ram Air engines were highly suspect, bearing less relationship to developed horsepower and more to an internal GM policy limiting all cars except the Corvette to no more than one advertised horsepower per ten pounds of curb weight. The fact that the higher-revving Ram Air IV's advertised power peak was at 5000 RPM, 100 RPM lower than the less-powerful Ram Air III, is a case in point.
   The significant event of 1969 was the launch of a new model called 'The Judge', ads used slogans like "All rise for The Judge" and "The Judge can be bought." As originally conceived, the Judge was to be a low-cost GTO, stripped of some gimmicks to make it competitive with the Plymouth Road Runner. During its development, however, it was decided to make it instead the ultimate in street performance and image. The resulting package ended up being some $337.02 more expensive than a standard GTO, and included the Ram Air III engine, styled wheels, Hurst shifter (with a unique T-shaped handle), wider tires, various decals, and a rear spoiler. Pontiac claimed that the latter had some functional effect at higher speeds, producing a small but measurable down force, but it was of little value at legal speeds except for style. The Judge was initially offered only in very loud "Carousel Red," but late in the model year a variety of other colors became available.
   The GTO had now been surpassed in sales both by the Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 and the Road Runner, but 72,287 were sold during the 1969 model year, 6,833 of them The Judge.
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