Classic Car Reviews: 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge

This is my favorite car of all time. The 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge, also know affectionately as "The Goat". I'm not really sure how The Goat name came into existence but I can tell you why I called mine that.

I got my first Pontiac GTO in 1973. I had just gotten my license to drive and being a typical American teenager, I wanted to go fast! The Pontiac's were legends in fast right of the showroom floor. I bought this purple monster from a friend so we (by we I mean the car and I) already had some history together. I helped my friend work on the car and do the maintenance not knowing that I would someday she would be mine.

My friend was the type of car owner that would take his motor apart, take it into his bedroom to clean it and do modifications. He was a super mechanic and he taught me all I know about classic Pontiac's. But I digress. The reason that my GTO got the tag as "The Goat" was because she went anywhere I ask her to go. Over hill, over dell, it really didn't matter where. More than once I had occasion to take a short cut through the woods and she never let me down. Of course you had to keep the speed up but if she needed to get some air to achieve a certain task, not problem, she'd get some air.

So along with the tag of being a Goat, I soon learned that the manufacturers logo, GTO also stood for the phrase, at least down south anyway, "Git cha Tools Out". Even short treks through the woods will cause minor problems but she didn't mind. She just took it, snorted and growled and rolled on home knowing I would take care of her.

The Pontiac GTO Judge is like any classic vehicle when it comes to maintenance and restoration. You must approach it with respect, a certain amount of love and always be loyal to the dream that brought you to this special vehicle. Never use sub-standard parts because only original Pontiac parts or parts approved by Pontiac will do. This is the respect I spoke of. Apply your own character to the car but don't stray to far from the designer's vision. This is the love I spoke of. Then about the loyalty to the dream, you only have to walk to my garage, raise the door and pull back the cover.

We've been together now for 35 years and when it's right, well; if you're a car guy you know what I'm going to say.