It seems that every options brochure I see has the (=) style the car Non AC, and I like the(=) better, look on http://thefirstgensite.com/library/69pontiacoptions/69pontiacoptions.swf it shows the (=) style on an custom AC car (on Page 9) and also the whole dash is painted the same color, this also gives alot of info on the options.
might have something there , my car was a non A/C car (still is)