1970 Pontiac GTO Hardtop

Pontiac's famed GTO Judge was meant to be a competitor to the Road Runner--Mopar's taxicab-plain intermediate with no frills, (save for the cartoon horn), big power, and a price tag aimed at getting kids to buy by the tens of thousands.  But the bare-bones 350-powered E/T, (as it was called then), concept was abandoned, at John DeLorean's insistence, and Pontiac swung the other way to build a threat to 440 Six-Pack Mopars.  Besides the standard GTO stuff--hardtop, GTO hood and bumper, bucket seats--it also received a trunk spoiler.  But it had the 366hp Ram Air III engine standard, with the grossly underrated 370hp Ram Air IV optional; the final striping scheme came after DeLorean approved the basic concept.  DeLorean wasn't keen on the E/T name: He preferred "The Judge," based on Flip Wilson's Laugh-In catchphrase.  And so The Judge was launched: The $337.02 trim package included the Ram Air III, T-handle Hurst shifter, wider tires, the trunk spoiler, and the tricolor graphics package, (the colors of which changed depending on what color Judge you ordered).  Initially, Carousel Red, (the color in all of the brochures, and on the 60-second TV commercial featuring Paul Revere and the Raiders), was the only hue available, with other colors coming on line later in the run.

With a restoration performed from 2013 to 2015 and retaining much of its original sheet metal, we present for consignment a beautiful 1970 GTO dressed in Judge livery.  Restored, but not so much to make this a trailer queen, resprayed in a color change to retina searing Orbit Orange, dressed with GTO Judge striping and spoiler, sporting color change to black interior color, with a non original but nonetheless powerful V8 and 4 speed manual transmission, this car was made to be enjoyed, I know I thoroughly enjoyed my time behind the wheel.  

Exterior
For 1970 GM tweaked the GTO's design with a number of detail changes and subtle refinements.  At the front of the car, Pontiac's installed smaller twin grilles with chrome trimmed quad headlamps at the edges of the iconic Endura bumper.  Below that bumper, the car's front valance features revised and more aggressive square parking lights, and above that bumper, a sculpted hood with Pontiac's legendary 'twin nostril' Ram Air air intakes and a hood mounted tachometer are present and accounted for.  Behind those intakes, the windshield glass is bordered by an attractive layer of bright stainless trim and correct chrome mirrors on either door.  Below that mirror and bathed in a color change respray of Orbit Orange, aggressive fenders and body lines are highlighted by dent-free stainless wheel well trim, straight stainless rocker moldings and traditional chrome door handles.  The gaps are nicely minded throughout the body and some inclusions and flaws are seen in the paint, they are particularly noticeable on the horizontal surfaces, but also appear on the doors as well.  A huge bonus to note is the lack of cracking in the Endura front bumper.  On the back fenders, '68-era arrowhead marker lights have been exchanged for wrap-around tail lights and at the back of the car, a chrome bumper hangs proudly with new for 1970 tail lights between quad exhaust tips.  Never overlooked are The Judge decal callouts in white on the front fenders and the trunk lid, so you don't forget who you're about to mess with.  15-inch Pontiac Rally II wheels are on all 4 corners and give the right vibe.  

Interior
Take a look inside this A-Body's cockpit and you'll find a snazzy black interior.  Front and center a straight and crack-free dash wears a wood applique around the original gauges with an engine turned aluminum panel at the bottom.  On the floor, a Hurst shifter in the original center console sits between the two bucket front seats.  The seating, both front buckets and rear bench, show very nicely with not a mar or spot of wear to be seen.  At the sides of those seats, stainless-trimmed door panels hang red-inlaid “GTO” emblems above the original hardware and armrests.  Below those panels, very clean black carpet frames chrome-trimmed foot pedals.  In front of the driver, what appears to be an original Pontiac 3 spoke formula steering wheel with its Pontiac arrowhead in the center now has a leatherette wrap installed around the perimeter.  Behind the passengers, the trunk is finished with a red oxide paint and has a correct liner mat and full sized spare tire.  

Drivetrain
A non original 1978 400ci V8, (casting # 481988 and stamping coded X7), steel blue painted block topped with casting number 12 Ram Air III cylinder heads rests between the fenders.   An non original, circa 1967 Muncie M20 4-speed manual is behind the mill and sends power back is a 10-bolt 3.55 conventional rear axle with a 1968 casting date.  This engine presents nicely in a fully restored engine bay and has some extra bling from the factory in the form of chrome valve covers and a functional Ram Air air cleaner assembly.

Undercarriage
Give this car a lift and we are met with independent coil spring front suspension and 4-link ad coil spring rear suspension.  Power disc brakes are up front and in the back we see power drums help bring the car to a halt and dual exhaust with stock style mufflers snakes its way from the mill back.  All of this is supported by a strong steel frame with hardly a hint of surface rust and patina.  The rest of the undercarriage is a mix of factory undercoating, very slight patina, and black paint.  

Drive-Ability
She fired right up, and as I put my foot into it the 400 cubes spring to life.  On our well hidden test track I experienced wonderful acceleration, smooth shifting and nice steering input from the power steering.  Braking was solid and all functions were working just dandy and the only flaw I could note is a slightly loose lid on the console glovebox.

Overall a nice example of the 1970 version of the Pontiac GTO in Judge tribute form.  Competently restored with only a few minor flaws, but a muscle car right from the folks at Pontiac.  With mostly original metal and a color change to an extremely eye-catching color, this goat won't last long, all nicely wrapped up and waiting for you to turn the key.

242370B123439

2-Pontiac
42-GTO
37-2 Door Hardtop
0-1970
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
123439-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG

ST 70 24237-1970 GTO 2 Door Hardtop
BDY B625207-Baltimore Body #
TR 250-Blue Vinyl Buckets
PNT 28B-Atoll Blue, Black Top
12C-3rd Week December Build

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.