[1969 Ram Air]

It seems that there is more interest than ever in RAIV cars. Which car is more desirable? A RAIV hardtop Judge or a RAIII Judge convertible? Assuming both are the same color and have four-speeds.

[Ron Landis]

he has both! lol Ron

[judgeragtop]

I get more inquiries for my RAIV Hardtop than my convt. Maybe because my convt is done and my RAIV hardtop is not. I think everyone needs one of each.

[70ra455]

Not even close. The Judge Ragtop is worth more ... period. Let' s not count that phony auction of the Florida car that the owner wouldn't give ANY numbers information but somehow sold the car for what was it ... $450K ... or something like that???

[roundportponchos]

My $,,, what little there is on the RAIV,, but to each his/her own... Buy what you like,, that is most important!!!!

[70ram4]

The ragtops always bring more money

[1969 Ram Air]

I didn't ask which car was worth more, I asked which car was more desirable. I think there are more guys chasing RAIV cars than Judge convertibles. Maybe it's the Mopar guys crossing over? Also, since there are fewer Judge convertibles maybe some guys have given up on that dream.

[gregsgtos2]

they made 239 raiv judge hardtops in 69,they made 103 raiii judge conv.in 69.the numbers answer that question very easily.

[Mike Lannom]

Judge convertible all the way!!!!!!!!!!

[The Boss]

I'd go with the IV, wildly powerful cars - just put all 4 windows down if you want the wind blowing through your hair.

[70ram4]

I've owned (own) both and they are 2 different animals, I'm partial to the conv

[gregsgtos2]

i have had 5 ram air iv cars this year,2 69 gto,1 69 judge,2 70 judges,and have only ever had 1 judge conv.i have only had the chance to buy 2 judgesconvs.the 1 i have now-69-and a 70 earlier this year.the 70 was a 4 speed,but couldnt take the color combo.it is MUCH easier to find ram air iv judge over ram air iii judge conv.any day of the week.

[1969Judge]

If I had to pick between the two, the Judge convertible wins every time.

[judgera4]

Ram Air IV !

[ramair2]

RA IV Judge over RA III Judge convertible any day of the week
(and that includes any 70 455 "HO" Judge convertibles)

At any one time there seems to be 3 or 4 of the RA III Judge converibles on the market. Not always true with the IV Judge hardtops. RA III judge convertibles are forever in 6 digit land value wise from here on out but I just dont see them escalating like the 68-70 roundport cars will over the coming years.

The high compression roundports (RA II and IV) represent the PMD high water mark as far as desireabilty, value AND performance. When the muscle car valuation skyride finally levels out (10 years from now imo) RA IV cars will be at the head of the Pontiac class in all respects (with the few RA II cars out there not too far behind).

One big D-port exception: 69 TA RA III convertibles. Those 8 cars are iconic and transcend all other Pontiacs. They are already (literally) million dollar+ cars today. Incredible. Imagine if PMD had made a RA IV TA convertible. Geez...

BTW the true value/desirablity king when it comes to hardtops is definitely NOT the 69-70 RA IV Judge. MUCH more desireable and MUCH harder to actually buy = RA IV TAs (esp 69s). Or as BOSS likes to say the country club member's car of choice. lol!

IMO I think the '69 RA IV TA has a very real shot within the next 3-10 years to be the first Pontiac hardtop to hit 7 digits.

(And yes I'm on crack...The same crack the Hemi E-Body guys were smoking back in 2000 when their concours '71 Hemi Cuda hardtops were trading hands for high 5 digits)

[Uncle Judge]

Originally Posted by 70ra455

Not even close. The Judge Ragtop is worth more ... period. Let' s not count that phony auction of the Florida car that the owner wouldn't give ANY numbers information but somehow sold the car for what was it ... $450K ... or something like that???

The car did not sell.

[gregsgtos2]

all i can say is i just sold a 1970 ram air iv judge-4 speed-to keep a 1969 auto judge conv.1 of 29 and know of about 5 ram air iv judges for sale right now.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

I'd take the III Jvert over the IV Jhard. Car for Car.

Monetary value, would have to give the edge to III Jvert also.

Point in reference : Greg sold a restored 69 Carousel IV/4spd Judge after 2 or 3 attempts on eBang fairly recent for something around 135k.

You won't find a restored 69 Carousel III/4spd Jvert for anywhere near that price. Maybe a nice unrestored. But, nobody is selling them boogers.

The King Kong Black/Black 70 IV 4spd Judge recently for 400k was quite an exception. I was closest forecaster, and was 150k under (LoL). Color was the key. Triple Black 70 III/4spd Jvert would probably match that or up that. Probably would even go to the same buyer.

[70ra455]

First off: Desireabilty is only determined by monetary value so they are one in the same. The more desireable the more money ... period.

Second to say that there seems to always be 3 or 4 Judge Convertibles for sale? What? Send us some of that stuff to puff on ... it's doing wonders.

[RAIVJUDGE]

I personally would prefer the RA IV hardtop, however the market shows us that converts especially Judge convertibles are more desireable. Across the board for all makes convertibles bring more $$$ and are more desireable. In the end it is what you like and can afford.