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HomePick of the DayPick of the Day: Here comes the Judge

Pick of the Day: Here comes the Judge

In 1970, the GTO was ‘The Humbler’ and The Judge swings an even bigger gavel

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“I’m gonna turn it on, wind it up, blow it out. GTO.” Ronnie and the Daytonas were singing to me the entire time I wrote this. Of course, I realize their inspiration came from the first-gen Goat, but the restyled, second-generation with its bulbous yet sleeker look defines the late ‘60s, early ‘70s GM muscle like no other.

The ClassicCars.com Pick of the Day is a 1970 Pontiac GTO offered for sale by a dealer in Rogers, Minnesota. The 2-owner, numbers-matching, fully documented, Ram Air, 4-speed rocket will definitely turn heads at your next cars and coffee.

The color combination is unique. Orange or white exteriors are generally how I picture the Judge option package. But this Atoll blue over black bucket seat interior with a Cordova white vinyl top is pretty stunning.

According to the dealer, “This GTO has great history and has all documentation from new. One family owned up until the last several years where the car has gone through an extensive restoration and refurbishing. The numbers matching engine and transmission have been rebuilt and both work flawlessly.”

The numbers-matching 366-horsepower 400cid Ram-Air III paired with an M-20 4 speed transmission and Safe-T Track posi-traction diff will still make many modern cars stand down at the stoplights. Certainly one of the charms of this performance package is the hood-mounted tachometer and the increased rumble courtesy of an under dash knob controlling the vacuum-operated exhaust (VOE).

During the 1970 Super Bowl IV, GM ran a single TV spot for the GTO as part of the “Humbler” ad campaign. GM management decided to never run the spot again. Perhaps it seemed irresponsible for the young man driving to the local Big Boy clearly looking for a street race as he pulls the VOE knob.

The advantage of a 1 or 2-owner car has to be in the documentation. This car has the original window sticker, owner’s manual and even the GM-issued “Protecto-plate.” The restoration is completely documented as well.

The graphics and badges are all correct and the trim includes a rear deck airfoil. This mean machine sits on Rally II Rims and Raised Letter Radials. I personally would immediately call Coker and get a set of red-line bias-ply tires.

With a 88,709 mile odometer reading and an asking price of $74,995, this is a clean, numbers-matching piece of muscle car history seeking a new steward.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.

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Tom Stahler
Tom Stahler
Tom Stahler is the Managing Editor of the ClassicCars.com Journal. Tom has a lifelong love of cars and motor racing – beginning with the 1968 USRRC race at Road America, in a stroller, at eight months of age. His words, photos and broadcasts can can be found on a myriad of media. He has won the Motor Press Guild’s Dean Batchelor Award and a Gold Medal in the International Automotive Media Awards.

10 COMMENTS

  1. Got a feeling you’re not going to see this on the road,going to some fatcat’s collection or museum. I for one would drive her but never ever park and leave her to sit in public alone. Reckon I could tap in retirement money and eat dog food. Hmmm, let me think. I’ll be back,going to Walmart and sample some dog food.

    • Agree and disagree Pete. The rounder/fastback design looks like it cuts the air better than its LeMans predecessor.

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