Vehicle Description
Will the automobile industry ever match the glory it achieved in
the 1950s, '60s and '70s? A hallmark of an industrial powerhouse
that's spawned legendary designers, groomed global leaders and
literally driven innovation, the 'Golden Age' was an excellent time
to be a car enthusiast. Consumers were enamored with the latest and
greatest cars, and virtually every manufacturer, from Ferrari to
Hudson, was busy winning on Sunday and selling on Monday. It seems
only fitting that, along with celebrated personalities and
modern-era dynasties, this period gave rise to some of the coolest
collector cars ever created. In addition to being one of the oldest
1971 Judges in existence, this exclusive, 455/4-speed GTO is a
magazine-featured promo car that, unlike most of its 184 peers, has
been meticulously pampered throughout its entire existence. And if
you're in the market for a pedigreed collectible that backs an
incredible story with timeless looks and impressive attention to
detail, you're reading about your next classic!
THE LAST OF THE LEGEND
You might be wondering what's so special about this GTO. Well, many
things...
Let's begin with a little Pontiac history. Like all of 1970s
Detroit, Pontiac was under immense pressure to increase fuel
efficiency. But not just by the government, by private industry as
well, as the cost to insure a muscle car was simply becoming too
expensive for most consumers. That meant plummeting sales and, by
the middle of 1971, Pontiac got the call from parent General Motors
to phase out its legendary GTO Judge. In total, 374 1971 Judges
made it off the assembly line, with just 184 being fitted with
top-option 455/4-speed drivetrains. That's where this historic
coupe enters the picture. Not only is it a vaunted 455/4-speed car,
it is also, according to the low VIN sequence, a day-one 1971 GTO
build that is currently the second oldest 1971 Judge known to
exist.
That brings us to this classic's specific purpose. Documented by an
original Build Sheet as a Pontiac show car and documented by
Pontiac Historic Services through both corporate and consumer
invoices, this GTO began life as an official Judge promo piece.
After being admired by many, the car was shipped to Ted Rapp
Pontiac in Riverton, New Jersey where it would meet its first
owner. And for the next 51 years, this awesome goat would remain a
well-maintained testament to timeless American muscle and cool
General Motors history!
Today, with just 47K miles on its odometer, this Poncho sports a
correct coat of Lucerne Blue two-stage under striking Judge war
paint. That paint shines solid metal that, aside from being fully
stripped during the car's frame-up restoration, needed almost
nothing to align to better than new. That restoration was a
frame-up affair because this classic had been so well kept that a
full, ground-up rebuild simply wasn't needed. And, in keeping with
its tradition as a cherished banner piece, this GTO was featured
ten years apart in both High Performance Pontiac Magazine and
Pontiac Enthusiast Magazine.
Arguably the best year of Judge aesthetics, this 1971 coupe's buff
appearance is kicked off by a prominent Pontiac Endura nose clip
that hangs bold, "G T O" branded grilles between stainless-trimmed
T3 headlights and ornate parking lamps. A familiar Ram Air Hood
plants factory accessory hood pins in front of stainless-trimmed
glass that's reflected in body-matched Sport Mirrors. A sculpted
profile floats simple factory door handles between clean marker
lamps and tight rocker armor. And at the back of the car, an
imposing wing shades a polished bumper, polished exhaust tips and a
colorful Judge callout that's balanced on factory taillights.
455 HIGH OUTPUT
Pontiac's storied Judge is certainly cool but, in the collector car
world, cool doesn't always equal exclusive. That's why numbers are
so important. In addition to being a numbers-matching car, this
Judge is one of just 374 produced for 1971 - the final year of
Judge production, and it's also one of just 184 1971 Judges
equipped with PMD's top option 455/4-speed drivetrain. That,
friends, is about as cool and exclusive as it gets!
Under the sculpted hood, oxygen and fuel enter the big mill's
combustion chambers through a correctly decaled air cleaner that
rides a correct Quadrajet carburetor. Below that carb, a correct
factory intake feeds correct 197 heads that are dressed in stamped
and painted valve covers. Those heads play well with fresh pistons,
fresh valves and fresh rods, all of which were replaced during a
professional overhaul that coincided with the car's choice
restoration. Those components move inside a honed and magnafluxed
block that, naturally, sports attractive Pontiac Turquoise skin. A
hot points distributor lights loomed Packard TV R Suppression
Cables. Factory exhaust manifolds take care of spent gases. Tight
belts spin factory power steering under a rebuilt alternator. A
factory radiator is cinched to pliable GM hoses via tight tower
clamps. Those components are, in traditional fashion, seated in a
slick, Satin Black frame. And naturally, the High Output engine
displays a correct 9799140 casting number behind a correct "WC"
assembly code and a matching 100115 partial VIN.
AS PONTIAC INTENDED
When the big block jumps to life, it twists torque through an
original 'Rock Crusher' 4-speed, which hangs a correct 3925661
casting number in front of a 1971 (1) Muncie (P) M22 ( C )
assembled on July (K) 28th (28) build stamp, and a matching 100115
partial VIN. That gearbox spins power to an original 12-bolt axle
that, according to its "XV" build stamp, spins a Safe-T-Track
differential around big, 3.55 gears. That drivetrain pushes a clean
Ride and Handling chassis that's still built to factory
specifications. Turns come courtesy of correct power steering.
Correct power front disc and rear drum brakes provide easy stops.
Aluminized exhaust growls through throaty turbo mufflers. And at
the corners of the car's clean floors, OEM Honeycombs lap FR60-15
Firestone Wide Oval 60 tires.
AS PONTIAC INSTALLED IT
Between the doors, things are clean and traditional thanks to
original Dark Blue vinyl that's been supplemented with fresh Dark
Blue carpet. Comfy bucket seats frame a correct console, which is
centered on a correct Hurst T-handle shifter. An old school dash
hangs correct Delco AM/FM audio and correct Rally telemetry behind
a striking combination of engine-turned and faux wood surfacing.
And the driver carves curves through a monochromatic Formula
Steering Wheel.
Documented, exclusive and ready to rock and roll, this pedigreed
Pontiac is an excellent chance for any serious enthusiast to score
a world class collector car. Literally one of the first of the last
GTO Judges, it currently rolls as a well-kept, highly correct
testament to why American muscle cars continue to make big gains in
popularity and price. Looking for an ultimate homage to the 'Golden
Age' of the automobile industry? Find it now at
https://www.RKMotors.com!
HIGHLIGHTS
Authentic final-year GTO Judge that's currently the second oldest
1971 Judge known to exist
One of just 374 1971 GTO Judges produced
One of just 184 1971 GTO Judges equipped with Pontiac's top option
455/4-speed drivetrain
Originally assembled as a 1971 Pontiac GTO Judge show car
Featured in both High Performance Pontiac Magazine and Pontiac
Enthusiast Magazine
So well kept that it's only needed one frame-up restoration
Original 455 cubic inch Pontiac ...for more information please
contact the seller.
