Vehicle Description
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 original1978 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-catchingcolor,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.
