[goatnutz]

first off, I wasnt gonna post this (and might wish i didnt) but what were they thinking? Thats gotta be the uglyist rear of a GTO to grace an American hi way, I own one and about every other year GTO, It scares me to open the barn and see that. Dont hate me,its just an opinion, not looking for enimies. In fact i love the grill and the dash compared to 69. Sorry to get you going.

[north]

I would not say ugly, It's just that when the 69 came out you wondered why they did not go that way for 68 as well. The 68 goat was the most beautiful car on the road back in 68 bar none, the back end was just a bit weak but clean

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by goatnutz

first off, I wasnt gonna post this (and might wish i didnt) but what were they thinking? Thats gotta be the uglyist rear of a GTO to grace an American hi way, I own one and about every other year GTO, It scares me to open the barn and see that. Dont hate me,its just an opinion, not looking for enimies. In fact i love the grill and the dash compared to 69. Sorry to get you going.

I like the '68 better than the '69 from any angle....and yes, I know I'm in the minority. I only wish more people disliked them. Maybe I could get another one cheap.

[OHC6-Man]

I think the tail lights just give it a little choppyness. But still, its very different from the other conformist cars out there. It also makes it a lot easier to recognize the car.

[dancolkate]

I've had two 68's and one 69. There are things that I like beter about eac year. I really never liked the rear bumper/tail-lights of the 68.

[Mean Green]

I think the 68 is the best looking GTO ever made, with 69's in 2nd. I think the rear screams muscle.

[trishieldchief]

I worship and own 69 GTO's and Judges,drop dead beautiful cars in every respect!
68 GTO's even though they share same body are absolutely HIDEOUS in rear bumper and tailite treatment,to the dash,to the Vent windows, to the front grills and cheesy GTO decals on rear Qtrs.......UGHHH!
I have always been amazed that correcting those issues for the 69 GTO made such a HUGE difference!

[CDN2PLS2]

YA,YA!!

[65WJ]

so why not back it into the garage? lol

[Andretti]

...or better yet, change the rear clip.

I have a bad memory but do recall reading about the original '68 designs. "Carl... something?) He had the tail lamps and grill styled like the '69 but upper management favored the final '68 look.

I'm sure other members here could helpfully add to this.

[goathead68]

I don't think it looks so bad.

[goatnutz]

I think the rear ride hieght has a lot to do with it like any other car, So many chose the wrong moog or whatever,then that amplifies matters. In some factory photos where they almost scrape pavement they look a lot better. Ilike the 6.5 litre crest uposed to the mailbox letters.

[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by trishieldchief

I worship and own 69 GTO's and Judges,drop dead beautiful cars in every respect!
68 GTO's even though they share same body are absolutely HIDEOUS in rear bumper and tailite treatment,to the dash,to the Vent windows, to the front grills and cheesy GTO decals on rear Qtrs.......UGHHH!
I have always been amazed that correcting those issues for the 69 GTO made such a HUGE difference!

What's amazing to me is how people can see the same thing so differently. Every single thing you mention that you hate about the '68 is why I prefer them over the '69....although I would never describe the '69 as hideous in any respect...with the possible exception of the grill. I really don't like the '69 eggcrate grille. That's why almost everyone paints them black. Rarely see a '68 grille blacked out. It's a much cleaner design in that area.

[cuz68]

I love them remember the 68 was moder trend car of that year, 69 do have more trouble with rust on the tale lights right?

[69RamAirDave]

Hmm... interesting topic. I own a 69, and dont really care for the 68s too much. Not a fan of the wing windows (great function, but poor aesthetics IMO). I dont care for how the grille and headlight doors arent "level" with each other. Also prefer the rear side markers of the 69 much more.

Dont get me wrong, I dont hate the 68s at all, just prefer the 69 by a large margin

Originally Posted by cuz68

69 do have more trouble with rust on the tale lights right?

Thats because the 69 has a potmetal bezel rather than just a plastic lens

[kaysersuzuki]

with 5 69s you already know my preference

[Blue'69]

I think Pontiac was so successful with the GTO in the mid 60's (66-67) with the stacked rear taillights that after the redesign in '68 they were trying to listen to all the positives and negatives of buyers of '68's. Thus in '69 they kept most of '68 characteristics but cleaned up and reshaped the areas of concern based on feedback of customer opinion. Rear lights were stacked again but have individuality, vent windows eliminated, front grill area stayed but had its own identity. Different side markings. I think Pontiac did a fantastic job of making each year GTO unique without screwing them up...I like them all. *2 cents worth*

[robz]

"I really don't like the '69 eggcrate grille. That's why almost everyone paints them black. "
Greg, I tend to disagree with this..I think the biggest reason they paint them black is to avoid having to mask off the hideaway covers (little squares) to have the silver/black combo..That is the reason I had done my H/T back then..I went the extra mile on the conv when I did the grilles and don't regret it as the silver/black is much nicer...Of course this is for people with Hideaways..For those without, there shouldn't be a problem as the grilles are pretty straight forward to paint with silver/black...

[Greg Reid]

Well, regardless of why they paint them black, they sure look better with the single chrome line rather than the overly busy eggcrate. I do like the way the '69 levels the hideaway cover rather than having them stick out like they do on '68s.
As for the wing windows, this wasn't a style preference (I don't think so anyway). All GM intermediates did away with them for '69. I've always heard/read it was a theft prevention move...Same with the steering column ignition...but I can't swear to it.
As to the interior dash design, I always liked the chrome and steel look of the '68 and earlier dashes and interiors better than the overly plastic look that was so prevalent in the '70s and which began with the '69 lineup.

[OHC6-Man]

Personally I like the vent windows of the '68. Looks much better than the plain open windows of '69s.