American Car Spotters Guide - 1969 |
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AMC Ambassador |
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Also see: AMC Car Reviews | The History of Rambler |
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The 1969 model Ambassadors were introduced on the 1st October, they undergoing a very mild makeover. The most obvious change was the front headlights, which were now set to the horizontal (rather than the previous models vertical arrangement) Other changes included a revised rear fender detail, the front bumper amber lights were now in narrower slots, the "Ambassador" name was proudly displayed via a chrome badge affixed to the left side of the grille and there was a new horizontal shape for the front side safety lights. Models included the Ambassador, DPL and SST sedans, wagons and H/T's. The prices ranged from $2914 to $3998. |
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AMC AMX |
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Also see: AMC Car Reviews | The History of Rambler |
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The AMX was a special edition Javelin, introduced on the 24th February, 1968, while the 1969 model was introduced on the 1st October. The 1968 models had a A-8 serial number prefix, while the 1969 models had a A-9 prefix along with more stripe combinations available as options. Engines included the 290 CID 225 hp V8, or optional 343 CID 280 hp V8 and 390 CID 315 hp V8. Each AMX car's production number was set in the dash. The AMX was shod with E70 x 14 tires, with 1969 prices starting at $3297. 8294 were manufactured for the 1969 model year. |
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AMC Javelin |
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Also see: AMC Car Reviews | The History of Rambler |
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The AMC Javelin underwent minor changes in 1969, including a new "bulls-eye" on the grille, and the Javelin name now appearing above the grille. You could also get the "Big Bad" Javelin, available in orange or green with painted front and rear bumpers and other "go fast" options. |
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AMC Rambler Rebel |
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Also see: AMC Car Reviews | The History of Rambler |
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The 1969 Rebels were introduced on the 1st October, and came standard with the 232 CID six cylinder, a de-tuned version producing 145 hp and the high performance iteration producing 155 hp. Of course the V8's were still available, including the 290 CID 200 hp V8, and 343 CID V8 with either 235 or 280 horsepower on tap. The 69 Rebel used a 114 inch wheelbase, and featured a new grille, new tail lights and wider track. To invigorate sales AMC sold the Rebel at the "Sale" price of $2484, reduced from the list price of $2944. |
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AMC Rambler SC |
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Also see: AMC Car Reviews | The History of Rambler |
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Offered for one year only, in 1969, 1,512 Hurst SC Ramblers were built, leaving very few to exist today. With original ads that claimed "this car could make life miserable for any GTO, Roadrunner, Cobra jet or Mach 1", the mighty 1969 Hurst SC Rambler warned it could ward off any potential poacher at a stoplight. |
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Buick GS 400 |
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Also see: Buick Car Reviews | The History of Buick |
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The GS 400 was conceived to capture some of the youth market for the staid image Buick. Bulbous and styled something like a pre-war speed boat, the '69 GS 400 boasted a 400 cu. in. engine, which, in moderate state of tune, produced 340 horsepower. That didn't make it a 100-mph car in the quarter, but it did make it quick. Which was all the more reason to order the optional front disc brakes that would snub the car down in a smoothly-controlled manner. As was the case with most of the Buick line, handling was very good in spite of the suspension's soft feel, and the GS 400 wasn't going to disabuse anyone about that. The ride was comfortable enough for the frailest of grandmothers, but the car managed to handle well enough to suit a grandson on his way to the local drag strip. Despite its 400 cu. in. engine (or for the tight-fisted, there was a GS 350 available as a sort of semi-Super Car), Buick's GS 400 lacked the hell-for-Ieather feel of, say, Pontiac’s GTO. But for dusting off most cars, the GS 400 was plenty sufficient. Its interior was more plush than most cars of this breed. All of which added up to a Super Car for the middle, a car for someone who wanted dramatic performance when needed, but who didn't feel the need to risk their license at every stoplight. |
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Chevrolet Camaro |
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Also see: Chevrolet Car Reviews | The History of Chevrolet |
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The 1969 Chevrolet Z28 Camaro remains one of Americas most desirable Muscle Cars of all. With just $458 to the base price of $2,726 of a Camaro coupe, the Z28 included twin rally stripes, quicker steering and the F41 handling suspension with E70x15 raised-letter tires on seven-inch wide rims. With a solid-lifter 302 V-8 and four-barrel carburetor the ’69 Z28 wasn’t the fastest but definitely packed plenty of power for most performance seekers. Another option unique to the ‘69 Z28 was the cowl-induction hood with a valve that opened to draw in cool air from the base of the windshield. The Hurst-shifted close-ratio four-speed was standard. |
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Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible |
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Also see: Chevrolet Car Reviews | The History of Chevrolet |
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The 1969 Camaro SS included a 350 cu in (5.7 liter) V8 engine and the L35 and L78 396 cu in (6.5 liter) big-block V8's were also available. The SS featured non-functional air inlets on the hood, special striping and SS badging on the grille, front fenders, gas cap, and horn button. It was possible to order both the SS and RS to receive a Camaro RS/SS. |
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Chevrolet Impala |
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Also see: Chevrolet Car Reviews | The History of Chevrolet |
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During the 1969 model year Impala production topped Caprice production by 611,000 units. Right Hand Drive cars were manufactured in Canada for export to some countries such as Australia, UK, etc., until 1969. They used a version of the 1965 Impala dash panel until 1969. Australian models were assembled in Australia from kits as this lessened tax on the cars. |
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Chrysler Newport |
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Also see: Chrysler Car Reviews | The History of Chrysler |
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Once the backbone of the American auto industry, by 1969 the full-size car had become a sort of step-child-unloved, uninspired and unadvertised (except when loaded down with optional trim packages, a high-performance engine, a super sexy interior-the works). A standout exception to this trend was the Chrysler Newport. Even in its most basic form -and that meant a 290-hp, 383 cu. in. V8 - it offered distinctive styling along with adequate performance. And at a price that was comparable, if not directly competitive with the top-of-the-line offerings from Chevy, Ford and even sister-division Plymouth. The 383 cu. in. V8 was never going to appeal to the performance-minded (there was an optional 440 cu. in. V8, however, that did), but you could keep up with traffic and still have something left for passing manoeuvres - all of this on regular-grade gasoline. Not as softly suspended as a luxury car, but offering a smooth and silent ride nevertheless, the Newport handled better than most of its peers. Unfortunately, Chrysler did not equip the big car with disc brakes and the drums didn't pack the arresting power or the staying power that was necessary. But otherwise, a very good car. |
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Dodge Monaco 2 Door Hardtop |
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Also see: Dodge Car Reviews | The History of Dodge |
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AII of Chrysler Corporation's "full-size" cars (some thought "over-size") were built on a common body, so there was really very little to choose from when comparing the Plymouth Furys, the Dodge Polaras and Monacos, and the Chryslers. All of them used the same engines (318, 383 and 440) and the same old and much-revered TorqueFlite automatic transmission. Evaluation was often reduced to merely identifying differences in styling details and simple subjective reactions to one car versus another. The husky 440 cu. in. V8 was reserved for the 500-series Monaco, which was also trimmed more luxuriously than Dodge's less opulent models. The optional disc brakes were almost mandatory on this powerful 4100-lb. car. And don't be mislead, the Monaco was a large car - even gigantic by most enthusiasts' standards - but it was firmly suspended for its bulk, and control at normal speeds was not a problem. The Monaco was ideally suited to turnpike use, with its low noise level, long legged gearing and powerful engine. Monacos were available with adjustable power front seats, and they are recommended for anyone planning lengthy trips. |
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Imperial LeBaron 2-door Hardtop |
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Imperial LeBaron 2-door Hardtop |
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Imperial LeBaron 4-door |
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Imperial LeBaron 4-door |
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Mercury Cougar |
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Also see: Mercury Car Reviews | The History of Mercury |
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In 1968 motoring journalist Roger Huntington had the opportunity to drive a Mercury Cougar fitted with Ford's new 7 liter Cobra Jet engine. The following is an excerpt following his encounter with the beast..."I HAD a chance to sample the performance of Ford's new 7-liter "Cobra Jet" high performance engine option the other day, installed in a Mercury Cougar' sports coupe. I think they may have a winner here (that is, a winner in the popular "Traffic Light Grand Prix" that is tentatively scheduled day and night on every wide boulevard in America!). We timed standing quarter-miles in the mid 14 second bracket, at 100-103 mph terminal speed, and in full road trim. This is right up with the best of the "supercars" with full -passenger-size bodies. About the only thing quicker would be the 7-liter Corvette, and possibly a Dodge or Plymouth with the 7-liter "road version of the "Hemi" racing engine - which is good for over 400 bhp in road trim with closed exhaust. But this new Ford Cobra Jet should be able to handle the Pontiac GTOs and the Olds 4·4-2s and Dodge-Plymouth 7.2-liter 'wedge" powered cars. These are good for high-14 sec times at 95-98 mph terminal speed.
And it's about time Ford got back in this picture. For all the millions they've been spending on world-wide racing, their image for road performance is not very strong among the young buyers. Their 6·4-liter high-performance GT engine option hasn't been getting the job done in Mustangs and Fairlanes and such. And yet this new 7-liter job is not a complex, finnicky engine at all and it's warranted for five years or 50,000 miles. Ford use hydraulic valve lifters to limit rpm to 5,500 and eliminate valve adjustment; there's only a single four-barrel carburetor, 10.7-to-1 compression ratio, and you can only get the engine with a torque converter transmission in the heavier models. This cushions the drive line and saves warranty expense on U-joints, axle gears, shafts and transmission gears with enthusiastic young drivers! The hydraulic lifters and automatic transmission are built-in warranty insurance.
And yet you get practically racing car performance when you punch the loud pedal. Detroit deserves a lot of credit for this progress. |
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Mercury Cyclone GT |
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Also see: Mercury Car Reviews | The History of Mercury |
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The Cyclone GT was Mercury's sporty intermediate - and went head to head with the Dodge Coronet R/T and Charger, Plymouth GTX, Pontiac GTO, Chevelle SS 396, Buick GS 350/400, Oldsmobile 4-4-2, and its own sibling, the Ford Torino GT. Available with either a formal or fastback roof, the Cyclone GT was designed to have an appeal broad enough to challenge all of them. Like many of the industry's high-line cars, the Cyclone GT came standard with much of the equipment that was optional on lesser models; bucket seats, heavy-duty suspension, wide-oval tires, V8 engine, and Comfort Stream Ventilation were all part of the Cyclone GT package. The 335 horsepower engine was coupled to a 4-speed transmission, and while performance was spirited it was not breathtaking. The special suspension and power disc brakes completed a well-matched package. Despite the firmer-than-standard suspension, ride comfort was very good, with at least part of the ride quality attributable to the seats. In fact at the time, many could only criticise the Cyclone GT due to its abstract nature; it just didn't look like a real muscle car of the late '60's. The fastback rage, for example, went out with the Dodge Charger and the Marlin. |
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Mercury Marauder X100 |
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Also see: Mercury Car Reviews | The History of Mercury |
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The Marauder was a two-door hardtop based on a Marquis chopped in wheelbase by three inches and shortened in the body by about five. The result was a relatively roomy two-door hardtop with a long-hood/short-deck profile on a still-substantial 121-inch wheelbase. Curb weight started at two tons, escalating to 4500 pounds with a full option load. Marauder essentially was the same as Ford’s big Galaxie 500XL coupe and its flying buttress roofline and upright, tunneled backlight mimicked the "SportsRoof" Ford. |
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Pontiac 2 Plus 2 |
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Also see: Pontiac Car Reviews | The History of Pontiac |
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The 1969 Pontiacs received a major restyling with somewhat more squared off sheetmetal (though not as much as similar cars from other GM divisions) and rooflines. However, the basic 1965 chassis, inner-body structure and four-door pillared sedan roofline were retained although vent windows were dropped on all models and Safari wagons got a new two-way tailgate that could be opened to the side like a door or downward like a tailgate. Catalinas also got a one-inch wheelbase increase to 122. |
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Pontiac Acadian Beaumont 4 Door |
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Also see: Pontiac Car Reviews | The History of Pontiac |
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Variable-ratio power steering was a new option for 1969 and front disc brakes were now automatically included when the power brake option was ordered. Engine offerings consisted of a standard 290-horsepower 400 two-barrel (or no-cost optional regular-fuel 265-horsepower 400 with Turbo Hydramatic transmission), 330-horsepower 400 four-barrel, 370-horsepower 428 four-barrel or the 428 HO rated at 390 horses. The standard three-speed manual transmission and optional three-speed Turbo Hydramatic were continued as before, but the four-speed manual with Hurst shifter was dropped from the option list. |
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Pontiac Ventura |
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Also see: Pontiac Car Reviews | The History of Pontiac |
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The Ventura was first introduced for 1960 as a classier version of the Pontiac Catalina four-door Vista sedan and two-door hardtop. It had exterior identification, deluxe wheel covers, a sport steering wheel, and distinctive tri-tone seats done in Morrokide (Pontiac's vinyl upholstery trim which had the look and feel of top-quality leather but far more practical for everyday use). In 1961, the Ventura's length was 209.7 inches (527.5 cm), and its wheelbase was 119.0 inches (302 cm). Weight was between 3680 and 4005 pounds (1670 and 1815 kg), depending on what options and engine the car had. The 389 CID (6.4 L) engines were standard, and the 421 CID (6.9 liter) was a special order option. This was an interesting and logical move - the Star Chief middle-of-the-line model was restricted to four door sedans and hardtops and continued on the longer wheelbase shared with the Bonneville, while the Ventura offered only two doors and was smaller and lighter, though similar in price. This was such a good idea that it spawned the similarly-sized, but pricier, Pontiac Grand Prix in mid-1962. The Ventura returned as a trim option for the Catalina for 1962, often using interior trim similar to that of the slightly larger Star Chief/Executive , which was built on the longer-wheelbase chassis of the Bonneville. It returned as a model for 1969 and 1970. The Ventura was replaced by the Catalina Brougham for the 1971 and 1972 model years. However, after a few-month's absence, the Ventura name was resurrected in mid-1971 when name (augumented by the suffix II) was applied to the Pontiac version of Chevrolet 's compact Nova. |
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