I find it nearly impossible to believe that Pontiac would simply put in a "shorting bar" and have an unfused circuit. Blatant fire hazard.

I would never put such an idiotic move past any shade-tree mechanic that may have touched the car over the course of the past 45+ years...

Keep in mind my 68 has a "shorting bar" also in one part of the fuse panel...more properly called a buss bar I believe. And it is factory original. But it ALSO has a circuit breaker elsewhere on that circuit, giving the necessary protection to prevent over current and fires.

So if someone's 69 has a shorting bar on a panel, and it is factory original (never assume this), it also means there is a circuit breaker somewhere in the circuit...or there SHOULD be a circuit breaker. All the repro houses sell the circuit breaker as being correct for 67 thru 69. I know that's not gospel, but it leads me to believe there probably is, or should be, a circuit breaker in the 69's somewhere. Maybe not plain as day on the firewall like our 67/68 models are, but how about under the left kick panel where I have found other circuit breakers for power windows, etc...need to remove some interior to find it.

The real answer to this question should be pretty darn easy to figure out with a comprehensive 69 wiring diagram from a service manual that shows convertible top circuit.

I need to ask again as I believe this to be the key to everything...and still hasn't been answered:

What gauge is the wire feeding the convertible top motor, and what size fuses were you blowing?