Vehicle Description
1970 Pontiac GTO Hardtop
From the 1970 magazine ad: "The Humbler is here. Pontiac GTO. If
the sight of it doesn't turn you on, the sound of it will. Listen,
its 400 cube V8 speaking out through a new, low restriction
performance exhaust you can order. Curve, straighten out. The
Humbler will take you in style. The Humbler. This is the way it's
going to be, baby.". You must appreciate the language of the times.
GTO abandoned the tiger in the tank campaign in 1967 when Pontiac
switched to The Great One campaign. Then, The Humbler was born not
long after.
For consignment, a two owner 1970 GTO wherein the original owner
bought it back after a brief ownership from a friend. The original
purchase agreement is included with the car and shows our
consignor's name. Between 1983 and 1986, a friend owned it, then
sold it back. What a story! The drivetrain is no longer original
but massaged components on a date correct engine have been put in
its place. It retains its original color and black vinyl top and
has some other styling cues that make it stand out just a bit.
Exterior
Our car comes in Granada Gold and lacks badging on the side and
rear, but a big wing, hood tach, and black-rimmed nostrils hint at
its identity. The infamous Endura nose fronts the car and GTO is
spelled out in the split grille. Chrome headlight bezels match the
metal rim of the grille and the t design over the marker lights.
The paint, chrome, and vinyl top are in great condition and that
rear wing painted black and dual twin exhaust tips are menacing
reminders that this might just be a quick car. 15-inch Chevrolet
rally wheels carry staggered size tires front and rear and look
great.
Interior
A Hurst equipped emblem has been added above the GTO emblem on the
standard door panels constructed of black vinyl in varying patterns
and textures. The black vinyl seats with knitted vinyl inserts are
in great shape, as is the rear bench. Above the bench are two large
pioneer speakers, mounted old school style up on the shelf. The
black GTO steering wheel is tri-spoke with a horn button on each
one, a pretty nifty design feature. A wood applique surrounds the
gauges on the dash, three deep and simple gauges displaying the
pertinent information. A dash long strip of machined metal applique
houses switches, knobs and the AM/FM radio. The center console
houses an AutoMeter tachometer, the notched gate of the shifter
which is indeed a Hurst model, and an armrest over a storage bin.
The black loop style carpet is in good shape and the perforated
headliner is in decent shape with some age beginning to show. The
trunk has a simple black carpet mat and a spare tire.
Drivetrain
An era correct 400ci V8 is in the bay and has been bored .030 over,
has Icon forged pistons, and Howards Cam and Lifters. Edlebrock
handles the fuel delivery with a 4-barrel carburetor and intake
manifold. The engine is mated with a TH400 3-speed automatic
transmission leading back to a 10-bolt rear and 3.55 gears. Pontiac
branded powder coated valve covers sit below a K&N style air
filter element. The engine bay is tidy and has lots of extra room,
a long way from modern engine compartments. A brake booster is
evidence that the disc brakes up front and the drums out back are
power assisted.
Undercarriage
Clean and dry on the underside with only small, random areas of
surface rust. The dual exhaust stretches the length of the car
before meeting two Cherrybomb mufflers just before the rear axle.
Up and over the axle the pipes go where they terminate at twin
splitters creating four exit routes for the spent gas. We note the
oil pan has been thumped at some point, but the gasket and drain
plug are not compromised, it's purely cosmetic at this point. Coil
springs are found up front and with the 4-link in the rear.
Drive-Ability
There is nothing like an old school muscle car and it's an honor to
drive a car bought originally by the current owner and cared for
all these years. Off we went around our loop at a mild pace,
enjoying the sound of the engine and exhaust. The suspension
functioned ideally for the straight aways, and the brakes were more
than adequate. A few notations from the ride: the hood mounted tach
and the console tach are not working, the radio did not belt out
any tunes, and finally, the brake lights do not illuminate.
The original purchase agreement and the build sheet accompany the
car and those are icing on the cake for this good looking, well
running 1970 GTO. This is one of those cars that benefits from an
enthusiastic and supportive community that is active around the
country, maybe even the world! If you have dreamed about owning a
GTO, this one is worth a peek.
242370B115034
2-Pontiac
42-GTO
37-2 Door Hardtop
0-1970
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
115034-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
ST 70 24237-1970 GTO 2 Door Hardtop
BDY B518972-Baltimore Body #
TR 258-Black Vinyl Buckets
PNT 58B-Granada Gold, Black Vinyl Top
11B-2nd Week November
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