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 1970 Pontiac GTO hardtop owned by our consignor
for more than 20 years and now with about 500 miles on an engine
rebuild. There are numerous upgrades and refreshed elements so be
sure to read on.
Exterior
This A-body glistens like gold with its two state Baja Gold paint
and when other cars were still running chrome front bumpers, this
Pontiac rocks Endura, a plastic compound molded over steel and
color matched with the body. In back, the chrome bumper remains,
fitting a cutout in the body and housing wraparound tail lights
while hovering over twin dual exhaust tips. Up above, we have the
color keyed rear wing on which you could serve a sizable buffet
meal. Back to the front where the beak fronted face sends a hump
down the hood which is flanked by two intake ducts and embellished
by the legendary hood mounted tachometer, about as cool a feature
as to ever appear on a car. The window frames, bumper, and other
bright work are in great condition as do the 15-inch Pontiac Rally
II wheels with PMD center caps. Getting within 10 feet reveals a
number of surface scratches and imperfections in the paint as well
as some rust damage just behind the mud flap.
Interior
It's pure 1970 on the inside where the newer interior features
brown vinyl door panels with stitched pattern, smooth panels, and
silver accent lines, along with the carpeted bottom, all in great
condition. A lighter brown vinyl covers the front bucket seats,
also in pleated stitched pattern and a camel shell, and also in
very good shape. The rear bench shows no sign of wear along with
the brown sidewalls and package shelf which houses two speaker
covers. Yellowish brown colors the steering wheel with finger
grooves and three spokes while woodgrain applique covers the gauge
pod and dash and a strip of machine metal applique lives underneath
it. This metal pattern would continue to appear in Pontiac sports
cars for years to come. A more modern Alpine AM/FM/CD radio snaps
us out of our 1970 haze and the floor mounted Pontiac vacuum gauge
shakes up the stock looking interior as well, but in a good way. In
the molded plastic center console is a Hurst T-handle shifter,
protruding with polished provenance. Brown looped carpet covers the
floor nicely and is further protected by GTO branded floor mats.
The perforated headliner is high and tight and plays host to the
shoulder seat belts and the proverbial hanger hooks.
Drivetrain
Pop the hood for a view of the show worthy and recently rebuilt
400ci L-67 V8 from 1970, rated at 350 horsepower and fueled by a
4-barrel carburetor. The 4-speed manual transmission behind it is a
Muncie M20 with a new McLeod clutch which sends power to the rear
10 bolt with 3.23 gears and Safe-T-Track, Pontiac's name for
limited slip which automatically applied more power when grip was
needed. Power disc brakes are on the front and power drums in the
rear. Our consignor states the A/C has been upgraded with a unit
from Classic Auto Air and a high performance starter has been
added.
Undercarriage
Relatively clean and dry underneath with the only errant oil noted
was around the rear U-joint and pinion gear. Some typical surface
rust is present but no grease build up or heavy dirt anywhere. The
dual exhaust travels through Flowmaster mufflers before heading to
the dual twin tips and the system is clean and fully intact. Coil
spring suspension is found up front with a four link and coils in
the rear.
Drive-Ability
Lovely exhaust notes come from the back when the carb is primed and
the key is turned. Plenty of power underfoot, good breaking, solid
tracking, and a comfortable cab. We note the clutch will need some
adjusting but beyond that, everything that can function does so.
And it's time to bring this Goat back to the stable. While Classic
Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time
of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be
working at the time of your purchase.
Outside of Avocado green, there are few colors that are as
transformative as brown. It's no longer used to coat entire
interiors but in the 70's, it was a mainstay, and it really does
bring some good times back! Here's a real deal GTO, well sorted,
clean, and ready to go. As the ad says, if the sight of it doesn't
turn you on, the sound will!
242370P260025
2-Pontiac
42-GTO
37-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
0-1970
P-Pontiac, MI Assy Plant
260025-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
ST 70 24237-1970 GTO 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
BDY PON160601-Pontiac Body #
TR 253-Brown Vinyl Buckets
PNT 55B-Baja Gold, Black Top
04D-4th Week April
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in
person.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
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