[Lidpainter]

Originally Posted by north

Headrests were standard equipment and installed on all 1969 Pontiac cars. However, up to dec 31st 1968 factory to dealer invoicing date they were billed as an option at $16.85. On Jan 1st 1969 they instead increased the base price on the car by $17 and no longer listed them on the invoice separately.

The reason for this is federal law mandated front headrests as of Jan 1st 1969 but GM decided to build all 69 model year cars with them as of start of production in September 68. The legal distinction (confirmed by Pontiac bulletins) is that if the buyer of a 69 Pontiac invoiced to the dealer before Jan 1st 69 requested to have the headrests removed the dealer would do so and credit the customer $16.85 (and GM would also credit the dealer). The dealer had to install a kit that blocked the holes the headrests slid into to prevent a finger being trapped in them, and they had to return the headrests to Pontiac.

As of Jan 1st 1969 invoicing it was illegal for a dealer to credit and/or remove headrests.

Very cool. I did not know that. Thank you.