Muscle Car Review – September 2019

SEPTEMBER 2019 31

 Martin’s option-laden GTO was built with

tinted glass, a tilt steering column, Rally

gauges, a console, a power driver’s seat, A/C,

and an AM/FM/eight-track sound system.

Note that the eight-track came as a separate

unit below the dash rather than being incor-

porated into the main head unit.

 A power top was standard on 1969 GTO

convertibles, but the power antenna wasn’t.

Switches for each were placed side-by-side.

 Driver initiated Ram Air was common to

both the optional RA III and RA IV engines.

and install a number of date-correct items

that had been replaced over the years, in-

cluding the power steering pump and fuel

pump. While Nelson had the engine com-

partment apart, he also had the steering

box rebuilt and detailed. “It’s been a great

car for a long time,” says Martin, “but I’m

still trying to make it better each year.”

To date, the convertible’s best GTOAA

show performance was a Bronze award,

but Martin believes his car is poised to do

better. The correction of numerous small

items should make a big difference in the

show realm. Yet Martin isn’t so obsessed

by the correct detailing and minutiae that

he has stopped driving his unusual GTO.

On the contrary, we were impressed when

he didn’t bat an eye at driving an hour

through heavy rush-hour traffic to get to

our photo shoot. In the end, everything

went as it should. The car came through

unscathed, Martin’s drive home at sunset

was infinitely more pleasant, and we got

the chance to bring another fantastic

muscle car to our readers!

OPTIONS
GALORE!
Per PHS, these are
the options Stephen
Martin’s GTO was
built with.

Ram Air III engine
Automatic trans
S a f e -T-T r a c k differential
Solid Special Tone paint
Hood tach
Hidden headlights
Cornering lamps
Power steering
Power front disc brakes
Rally II wheels
Ride and handling pkg.
Tinted glass
Power antenna
Remote driver’s mirror
Door edge guards
Rally gauges with clock

Underhood lamp

Luggage compartment

lamp

Console

Tilt steering column

Custom steering wheel

Power driver’s seat

Air conditioning

Deluxe seat belts and

front shoulder belts

AM/FM stereo with

eight-track player

Front and rear floor mats