1968 vs 1969 Pontiac GTO: What's the Difference?

In this episode, we examine a pair of 1968 and 1969 Pontiac GTO coupes to answer the question: What's the difference between these two model years?

[ANACAD]

My first car was a 1969 GTO in Verdoro Green with a =black vinyl roof. It had a WT code 400, a Muncie four speed and a 410 Posi rear. Still my favorite car of all the ones I've owned.

[johnhall]

Apart from what was mentioned in the video here are some other differences and or corrections to errors in the video:

1… 68 headrest option had nothing to do with shoulder belts (which were standard on both years)

2…outside mirror was round in 68, rectangular in 69. Also 69 inside rear view mirror was widened from 10” to 12”.

3…steering wheel diameter did not change diameter. However the 69 steering wheel is shallower to reflect the new 69 steering column was longer.

4… side mount seat back release button was still used in 69 if car had reclining seat option.

5…in 68 you could order manual or power drum brakes or manual and power with front disc brakes. In 69 you only had two choices, manual drum or power disc.

6…68 disc brake option used four piston design, 69 used single floating piston design.

7…68 with power steering used normal 17.5 to one ratio but the 69 option used a unique 15.0 to one ratio.

8…68 400HO option was returned but was now equip with a Ram air system. 68 Ram Air engine options were replaced with Ram Air 4 option which included aluminum intake.

9…68 GTO used same valence as a Tempest but 69 valence was unique to GTO.

10…68 gauges and radio face used a steel blue color face while 69 switched to black.

11…68 dome light was rectangular, 69 was round

12…68 8 track had 4 knobs and mounted to underside of dash. In 69 it was redesigned with 2 knobs and a button and mounted on floor or console.

13…68 cars used a tuning pipe at the tailpipe to minimize drone. In 69 cars with automatic transmissions instead used resonators and manual cars had neither.

14…69 automatic transmission consoles had a wood grain and chrome insert ahead of the shifter, 68 did not.

15…the ignition switch light option offered in 68 was not offered in 69

16…similarly the switch controlled dash mounted reading lamp was not offered in 68.

17…the 69 AC option had a compressor cut off switch, 68 did not.

18…the 68 ram air system was always open. In 69 a dash lever was added that allowed the scoops to be blocked in bad weather. It also had an automatic system that blocked hood air and instead used hot air off the exhaust manifolds during engine cold starts.

19… new option for 69 included power door locks

20…with the elimination of vent windows in 69 non AC cars now had upper vents on each end of the dash. They were not fan powered or connected to the heater, instead they were opened by pull knobs and airflow was dependent on car speed.

21… another new option was power flow ventilation ((on non AC cars) which added blower motors in each dash vent, controlled by a 2 speed fan switch on the dash.

22…accessory switches in 69 moved from the upper edge of the dash to the wood grain trim beside the radio. They were now toggle style.

23…trunk paint switched from light grey-white speckle in 68 to a darker black-aqua color for 69.

24…in 68 radial tires were optional but not in 69.

25…the base 69 engine had a dual snorkel air cleaner, unlike 68 which had a single snorkel.

26…the 68 used an 8 bolt water pump while the 69 had a new 11 bolt design

27…68 window cranks have color keyed knobs while 69 are translucent gold regardless of interior trim.

28…69 optional clock added second numerals in addition to the hour numerals.

29…68 auxiliary gauge option in 68 used H and C numerals for temperature gauge while 69 used 100 and 250

30…68 wiper switch is a knob style, 69 is a toggle style

[kurtcocktoasten]

Tim Allen commenting on differences (long time GTO owner/enthusiast, collector). David Easley is the owner of the immaculate 1968 GTO on the right. Nice job boys!
Additional Notes:
* Hurst Dual Gate only available 1967 & 1968, not 1966. The 1969 GTO AT shifter was, in fact, a ratcheting shifter. When pulled into L, the driver could manually shift into S (2nd) and have the shifter4 mechanism stop IF the driver pushed the shifter at a 45 degree angle upward (off to the side when shifting). This engaged the detent and prevented the shifter from moving up to the next gear. The feature is still there (many don't know this) but the dual pattern gate was eliminated). I have never seen a 1969 or later shifter bezel with any numbers cast/etched into it. Just the indicator window.
* Hood for 1968 IS different in the support brace just behind the nose (David Easley made that comment later in the video). In 1968, the brace was straight (without an indent). In 1969, with the change to the 1-piece plastic fan shroud, the center brace was indented for the clearance. When a 1968 hood is used on a 1969 or 1970, the center brace (without indent) impacts the fan shroud and will eventually lead to a crack of the shroud
* Ram Air Heads were no different in external height than standard d-port heads of the era. A Ram Air IV head IS different in port design. A Ram Air III head is a D-Port head like the standard pontiac head, differentiated by casting number on the center two exhaust ports.
* 1968 air cleaner was a single snorkle, while 1969 was a dual snorkle design.
* 1968 GTO front inner fender wells were slightly different than 1969 - 1972 inner fenders in that a 1968 had a protruding bump that can be felt by reaching hand under fender lip at the apex (center) of the wheel arch. If a 1968 GTO does not have that bump, the inner fenders have been switched with later year.

[beniciomoldenado]

This was a very good comparison of the 2 model years. I don't claim to be the sharpest tool in the box, but the video would have been so much better if you had mentioned the similarities and differences between the engines.

[jimmyreed]

So glad to see this video. I have owned my '68 for over 55 years but did not know many of these differences. Really enjoyed video (also loved the color which is mine also). JR

[lakemi]

Tim i grew up near woodward Ave in 60s & 70s we got to the prototype vehicles running around, AWESOME times, thanks goodpliers 👍

[michaelmacpherson-wmmh]

the little differences between 68 and 69 make the 69 much better looking. parking lights and tail lights especially.

[Banjoman]

Veldoro green-my favorite color-thanks!

[mikemanning]

Excellent video, Tim!! I'm refurbishing a 1972 LUXURY LEMANS with just 90, 000 documented miles, very nice PONTIAC! The numbers matching 350c.u Pontiac engine is rebuilt to 1969 350 HO specs; had to make a little more FUN to cruise, very much more potent. The original TURBO 350 trans redone with HD internals, as torque converter, differential is limited slip and has been freshened to factory specs. Paint is Springfield Green, which it was born with, black vinyl top and black Morrokide interior. She is qui❤te pretty, if I must say so, and wearing Le GRRRR vanity plates!! I've gotten many compliments; I forgot to mention 15" HONEYCOMB wheels w/ Silverstone whitewall skins! Looking forward to more content from you, especially. PONTIAC content! PEACE, LOVE and MUSCLE CARS. Mike from Delaware 4:30

[michaelmacpherson-wmmh]

"side button seats" I found and purchased a reclining passenger seat at the junkyard around 1980 in a 1969 GTO, it had 1969 Upholstery but was a 68 seat with the side buttons. probably would be worth a fortune now.

[suewatson]

Knowledge is power and I just got stronger Thank you for this informative video.

[johnstickel]

My first new car was a ‘67 GTO…it’s now in a museum in Pontiac, MI.

[cityfarmer]

Door mirrors different also. No pass side on 68. Gorgeous cars!!!

[mikebrown]

Great video!!! I can tell you that there are a lot of similar changes in the 68 to 69 Chevelle as well. Like the wing windows, ignition switch placement, and with the 1968 Chevelle, it was the last year for a metal grill. 1969 was plastic. 1968 Chevelle had a lot more metal in it than 1969; whereas it had a lot more plastic.
Thanks for sharing 👍

[unknownsoldier]

Great video...i learned a lot ...love the GTO !

[bobsilver]

I have a 1968 Lemans 350 H/O as of right now. I have owned 4 GTO's in my life...A 1968 Solar red 4 speed, 1970 Sierra Yellow auto Judge, a red 1970 4 speed, and a green with green interior auto 70. The 1968 solar red car seemed to be the quickest of the bunch...followed by my Lemans H/O...never had a 69 before, always wanted one, it just never happened. I will say I like the wing windows, the front valance panel, and the cool Pontiac arrow quarter lights on the 1968's over the 69's.

[jamesthompson]

Another reason for 68 only dash is that in 69, the interior ventilation system changed(also why the vent windows went away). While the 68 is somewhat unique, I personally prefer the 69 dash as it comes across as more 'complete' in terms of design. I think it lost something when they went back to a gauge bezel in 70-72.

[debbiebermudez]

Mr. B. Here ! Mr. Goodpliers GM in does days ( if it ain’t broken don’t fix it ; sale were going to roof . Also all infor is correct . 👍👀😎

[tomsettles]

The dual gate shifter on my 1968 was the baddest thing. It didn't really do much but looked awesome. I had talked with another mechanic about finding a way to advance the timing 4 degrees when pushing the shifter into the gate. Most 1969s had disc brake package, very few 1968s came with that option.

[vnvxrfd]

Cool, I've owned several 69's. 1.) Locking, energy absorbing steering column starting 1969. 2.) Both cars have the optional Ralley steering wheels.) 3.) RA III & IV car hoods were different underneath to accommodate the open scoop bezels. 4.) Single (1968) vs dual snorkle (1969) air cleaners.