[Steve_Hoog]

Jeff

Yes catalog's aren't the best reference. In this ones defense; the 1983 version from which this came, all of the non-serviced and discontinued parts had been long weeded out of this catalog. Anything left in this catalog at time of print, was close as it will get to good.

I so wish I still had my families dealership records for 69 sold cars, I studied them like the Bible until they left my possession in 91. 69 was my favorite year, and I had removed some of the records on 69 from storage. I can remember several things that were way off target from what is generally talked about, this H.O. thing was one of them. I wondered why these 69 GTO's had H.O. listed in the GM paperwork yet know one ever talked about it or referenced it.

I can remember street racing with my cousin Gary Hoog; who was old enough to drive at the time, in a 68 dark green Bird. I remember it so well because I was fascinated with the hood tach. 5 years old sitting on my knees watching the needle on the hood, was very impressionable. Later in life I had to ask him what year it was, he was stunned that I remembered the hole thing. And more surprised I remembered what kind of car, color, and the hood tach. As kids we used to fight over the plastic models that GM put out, king of the hill got the GTO's and Birds. So we did have a perspective of what the models were at an early age. Later when I was old enough to read and cared, I studied all of the internal paperwork deligently.

Some of it is still around in the old building, and I have plans to retrieve it. So I may be able to share some of it with you in the near future, for those Pontiac people interested.

Steve