The One-Year Pontiac That Hid A 330-HP 350 H.O. Behind A Plain Badge
Plenty of muscle cars have taught us that looks can be deceiving. One ultra-rare Pontiac is no exception to this rule. The mid-size powerhouse secretly hid high-output power under its hood. But you would never guess that it packed a potent punch based on looks alone. This Pontiac sleeper is wrapped in a clean, plain package and is easy to overlook, especially since it existed for only one model year. However, it should be remembered for inspiring powerful builds.
Pontiac Needed To Replace The Tempest Custom
In the late 1960s, it was clear that drivers were turning their attention to affordable muscle cars, and Pontiac wanted to make use of this trend. The automaker was looking to provide buyers with economic power and decided to streamline its lineup. The Tempest and Custom names were both folded into the more popular LeMans model by 1970. But the Tempest Custom was dropped in 1969.
Without the standard Tempest Custom model, there was a gap in the mid-size lineup. The 1969 Pontiac Tempest LeMans ranged in price between about $2,770 and $3,200 based on body style and available options. Also, it was quite lavish with all-Morrokide vinyl upholstery, a deluxe steering wheel, hidden windshield wipers, dual horns, panel courtesy lamps, and a full-length center console.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Pontiac Tempest had an original MSRP of between $2,621 and $3,175 based on whether you went for a two-door, four-door, or convertible body style. It was available with Morrokide-accented upholstery, a standard steering wheel, and manual windows. But the middle child was still missing.
The 1969 Pontiac Custom S Filled The Gap With Hidden Power
If you wanted a little more comfort and power than the Pontiac Tempest, but didn’t care to pay for extra lavish features available with the Pontiac LeMans, then the 1969 Pontiac Tempest Custom S was for you. This plain-looking mid-size car was an affordable way to get extra power in all five Pontiac body styles, including the two-door sports coupe (convertible), two-door hardtop coupe, four-door sedan, four-door hardtop, and station wagon.
It was introduced as an option to rival affordable muscle cars like the Plymouth Road Runner and had an original MSRP of about $2,663. The Pontiac Custom S was available with a 250 cubic-inch (4.0-liter) inline-six engine with up to 230 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. But the real fun was provided by the robust V8 engine.
With the 350 cubic-inch (5.7-liter) High Output V8, you got 330 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. While the Custom S looked plain, it would surprise you at stoplights with the ability to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 6.2 seconds. It featured a quarter-mile time of roughly 14.8 seconds with a top speed of around 125 mph.
Going for the Pontiac Custom S 350 H.O. added the 750 CFM Rochester Quadrajet four-barrel carburetor, a high-lift performance camshaft, a high 10.5:1 compression ratio, and factory dual exhaust. Plus, it was available with a Muncie M20 four-speed manual transmission or the heavy-duty Turbo Hydra-Matic TH400 automatic transmission.
The Judge Originated From A High-Performance Custom S Proposal
We might have the Pontiac Custom S to thank for leading to the creation of the highly coveted Pontiac GTO Judge. It’s also easy to confuse the two models or assume that the Custom S is a GTO clone because both models utilize the mid-size A-Body platform with a similar style.
When Pontiac introduced a budget muscle car prototype that was based on the Tempest in 1968, it boasted 350 H.O. power but lacked an official project name. It was called the WS9 to intentionally sound like the “what’s its name” phrase. However, John DeLorean decided that he didn’t like this idea.
He thought that making a stand-alone muscle car model that was more affordable would cannibalize GTO sales. So, the idea was transformed into a high-end package option known as option code WT1 for the Pontiac GTO. But it still needed marketing, so DeLorean named it “The Judge” after a popular TV comedy skit on the Rowan & Martin Laugh-In show.
But when the 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge dropped, it featured more power. It came with a 400 cubic-inch (6.6-liter) V8 engine with up to 370 hp and 445 lb-ft of torque. The Judge accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in around 4.9 seconds and completes a quarter-mile in about 13.9 seconds with a top speed of roughly 125 mph.
The 1969 Pontiac Custom S 350 H.O. Is A Rare Bargain
Despite being an ultra-rare powerhouse, you can find the 1969 Pontiac Custom S 350 H.O. ranging in value from $13,000 to over $50,000 depending on condition, quality, and body style. Two-door hardtop models in excellent condition typically sell at auction for an average of $26,000.
That means it’s quite a steal compared to 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge models. Options found in project condition sell for between $27,830 and $43,400. Then models in average, well-maintained condition fetch between $75,000 and over $115,000. Last but not least, models in pristine condition that are ready to hit the show floor go for between $130,000 and over $220,000.
Both cars tend to have more value as convertible models. Authentic, factory-original, numbers-matching blocks also make a massive difference. Plus, models equipped with a manual and/or heavy-duty transmission are harder to find. But either way, you could save thousands with a Custom S instead of a GTO.
Source: Automobile Catalog, GTO Association of America, Hagerty
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