John DeLorean, Pontiac's general manager at the time, based on the suggestion of his Product Development department, ordered the creation of an all-new Grand Prix for 1969 based on a slightly stretched version of the intermediate GM A platform, which was dubbed the "A special-body". The previous platform was based on the 121" wheelbase from the Catalina, however for in 1969 it was cut to 118". This smaller, lighter car had its own unique body and Pontiac's longest-ever hood, harking back to the Classic car era. Even the model names took elements of old Duesenbergs using "J" and "SJ" for model designations. The new Grand Prix would be offered only as a 2-door sport hardtop.

Development of the new intermediate-based 1969 Grand Prix began in April 1967 after a few prototype GPs were built on the full-sized Pontiac platform as originally planned. DeLorean and other Pontiac planners decided to make the switch due to declining sales of the full-sized Grand Prix in comparison to competition from unique personal cars in both the luxury and sporty car fields including the Ford Thunderbird, Buick Riviera and Oldsmobile Toronado at the luxury end, along with the emerging ponycars such as the Ford Mustang and Pontiac's own new-for-1967 Firebird. To save product development costs, it was decided that while the newest GP would have a unique bodyshell of its own, the car would use the basic chassis and drivetrain from the A-body intermediates (Tempest, Le Mans and GTO). This move also enabled Pontiac to reduce development time for the 1969 GP from the usual 36 months required for a new model to less than 18 months.

The new model also refocused attention on performance, jumping into the vacuum created by the demise of the 2+2 in the US market. As in 1968, Two engine sizes were offered with two power options available in each engine size; a 265 HP or 350 HP 400 CID V8 as well as a 370 HP or 390 HP 428 CID V8, but with the car lighter by 350 lbs, performance was increased substantially.

The 1969 Grand Prix featured a sporty interior with a wraparound cockpit-style instrument panel that placed most controls and gauges within easy reach of the driver —named the "Command Seat". The "Strato" bucket seats were separated by a console slanted toward the driver and included the customary floor shifter, storage compartment, and ashtray and was integrated into the instrument panel. Upholstery choices included standard vinyl or cloth and vinyl, or extra-cost leather trim. The leather interior option also included cut-pile carpeting replacing the standard nylon loop.

Innovations introduced on the 1969 Grand Prix included a concealed radio antenna, which amounted to two wires embedded in the windshield; an optional built-in electrically heated rear window defroster and side-impact beams inside the doors. Also new were flush-mounted "pop-open" exterior door handles, instead of the normal door handles featuring a grab handle and thumb-push button. The basic 1969 body shell continued until the 1972 model year with a major facelift in 1971, but only minor detail revisions in 1970 and 1972.

Production:

1969 Grand Prix S and SJ models  112,486 units - well above the 31,711 full-sized models built in 1968.

Available Engines:

• The 350 HP 400 CID four-barrel V8 remained the standard engine.
• A 265 HP 400 CID two-barrel was the step-down optional engine
• A 428 CID V8 with four-barrel rated at 370 HP
• A 428 HO option with four-barrel and 390 HP