In 1964, as Detroit sought to capture the performance-oriented youth market, Pontiac stunned the automotive community by introducing a specially outfitted Tempest sporting a 389 cubic inch V-8 engine and a heavy-duty suspension. The car, named GTO at John DeLorean’s insistence, was America’s answer to the sporty grand touring cars of Europe, and was capable of neck-snapping acceleration and aggressive handling. In 1969, the performance leader of the GTO lineup was the Ram Air IV, equipped with a free-breathing 400 cubic inch V-8 engine with new cylinder heads, a radical cam profile, revised rocker arms, heavy-duty internal components, and an aluminum intake manifold with a big Rochester Quadrajet carburetor. Of course, cold air was fed to the engine by a pair of well-engineered, functional hood scoops. The result was an underrated 370 horsepower, and Ram Air IV-equipped GTOs quickly established dominance on the street and the track, with low 14-second quarter-mile times.

This incredible, less than 54,000 actual mile example was originally sold through Higgins Pontiac on famed Woodward Avenue in Ferndale, Michigan, and its powerful engine is matched to the very desirable factory Hurst four-speed manual transmission and Safe-T-Track rear end. The Expresso Brown with tan interior car runs with its correct drivetrain, including WW block. This fine machine has received only one repaint since new and has been in storage for the last five years. It has travelled only 1,200 miles since a complete engine rebuild to factory specifications. Further equipment found on this highly sought after Pontiac includes covered headlights, hood tach, AM/FM radio with rear seat speaker, remote mirror, reclining seat, various accessory lighting, visor mirror, deluxe seatbelts, center console, upgraded MagnaFlow exhaust; power antenna and brakes with front discs. This well-optioned musclecar also has Rally II wheels, redline tires, rear deck wing, Ram Air IV, GTO and Hurst badging, plus yellow, black and red Judge-type stripes.

One of 549 four-speed, Ram Air IV cars built in 1969, the GTO also comes complete with documentation from Pontiac Historical Services, as well as its dealer invoice.