1970 Pontiac GTO The Judge blue/blue 455HO/auto 3.55:1 PHS 1 of 1,302 built!!

1970 Pontiac GTO The Judge Description

The next owner is going to LOVE this 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge as much as we have.

It's in very nice shape, as you can see from the pics. It's also a superb driver that turns heads wherever you go because you so rarely see someone driving a 'Judge' out on the road.

Although it left the factory painted Bermuda Blue (kind of a silvery, sky-blue), this Judge is now painted Atoll Blue (slightly darker, medium blue). The medium blue original interior is in decent shape for its' age. There is some minor wear on the seats and door panels but nothing excessive, mainly just one small split (1.5") on the driver's seat bottom, shown in the pics. The dash-pad, like practically all of them, is lightly cracked. We've installed a new cloth dash cover. The carpet is either original or may have been replaced many years ago - not perfect but still in very good driver condition. Perfect condition for a nice weekend driver that you won't be too scared to drive around and show off.

We understand that this was an original dealer-installed Judge option on a factory-built Ram Air III / T400 car, which was a fairly common practice back in 1969 & 1970. If your dealer couldn't get the exact Judge you wanted and had a similar factory 'Ram Air' car already in stock, they could add the correct spoilers and stripes and transform the Ram Air GTO into a Judge. Not to be confused with a 'clone' Judge where a standard, run-of-the-mill GTO (or even a base-model Tempest or LeMans) has all the Judge hardware and decals added.

We've had a dozen inquiries as to the PHS docs for this Judge -- a redacted copy has been uploaded as the LAST pic attached to the listing.

This particular Judge is actually MUCH MORE RARE than a factory-built Judge!

Here's an explanation of why:

Of the 32,737 GTO hardtops that Pontiac built in 1970, only 1,302 were factory-built with the Ram Air III 366HP engine and Turbo 400 transmission. During the same time period (the 1970 model year), Pontiac built 3,635 Judges.

That's THREE TIMES as many Judges built as they built standard GTOs with the Ram Air III 366HP engine and Turbo 400 automatic transmission.

So, for every standard GTO built with the Ram Air III 366HP engine and automatic transmission -- like this one was built originally -- they built THREE Judges. And -- if you don't like the 'Judge' vibe -- you can always remove the Judge stripes and emblems during the next repaint.

Unfortunately, for the hard-core 'numbers-matching' collectors out there, the original Ram Air III 'YZ' motor was long gone when this Judge came to live with us. If you feel the need to restore this beauty to totally original condition, we do know where several 'YZ' and unmarked 'Service Replacement' blocks that could be acquired are located. Email us. :)

Fortunately for the rest of us, the original engine was replaced with a 1971 455 4-bolt-main block with 455SD connecting rods, Edelbrock Performer aluminum intake manifold, 1972 '7F6' 455HO heads and factory cast-iron exhaust headers. Original Ram Air system is intact but needs new foam installed (and that foam is included in the trunk).

Note: The lower ram-air shroud currently installed on the Judge is a correct and original 1970 Ram Air IV shroud, set-up for the additional right-side hot-air ducting used on the Ram Air IV engine's pre-heat system. If the new owner would prefer a correct, reproduction Ram Air III lower pan, we will purchase one and swap it for the RAIV pan on the car now prior to delivery.

The original Rochester quadrajet carburetor has been replaced with a freshly-rebuilt Holley 800CFM double-pumper. The Turbo 400 transmission has had a 2500+/- RPM stall convertor installed, so it's not only 'tire-smoking 455HO' fast, it's a real kick to drive!

Older repaint with blue-orange-pink stripe package and Judge decals. The correct, original GM front and rear spoilers are intact and in great condition. There are a few small scratches, scuffs and chips - to be expected when the paint job is at least fifteen years old. Still VERY presentable and a knock-out color combination. A PERFECT weekend driver!

There is no rust to speak of and the floors and trunk are solid. See the pictures for details.

If you would like to see pics of any specific areas, please email and we will provide them.

Originally shipped out from the Pontiac, Michigan assembly plant on 08/06/1970 -- very late in the 1970 model year.

Odometer shows just over 76k but we really have no way of knowing if that is correct mileage.

Factory-installed options also include:

3.55:1 heavy-duty 'N' nodular iron 4-pinion safe-t-track rear-end with forged-steel axles (the strongest rear-end that Pontiac ever installed)

variable-ratio power steering

power-assist disc brakes

Rally II wheels

power door locks (not currently functioning)

inside trunk release

rear window defogger package

remote-control outside-rear-view mirror

ride and handling package

console with original floor-mounted shifter

rally gauges with clock

AM/FM stereo

tinted glass

and one very rare, almost never seen option:

the original headlamp delay which keeps the headlights on for about sixty seconds after you turn off the ignition. Cool old 1970s technology that they still utilize in today's cars!

The factory 8-track player and under-hood light are no longer installed - they were both gone before we bought the car. The console still has the holes where the 8-track player was originally mounted. See the pics.

A NEW set of 245/60R15 and 255/60R15 B.F. Goodrich Radial TAs were recently installed - these are the perfect sizes to fill up those A-body fenderwells without creating clearance issues and add just a slight amount of rake.

Starts right up and runs well and is really a blast to drive. No smoke or engine oil leaks to speak of and it doesn't seem to use any oil. As is typical with these older GM cars, the automatic transmission sometimes leaks when you let it sit in storage for extended periods. Not so much - just a drip or two - if you get it out and drive it every couple weeks. This could be cured with a re-seal job on the transmission. The transmission needs nothing else - it functions just fine. Smooth shifts when cruising and nice and firm when you floor it.

This Judge does like to use gasoline.....about 1/10th of a gallon per mile (~10mpg). If you enjoy driving, you certainly won't mind paying to fuel your fun.....

We have accumulated a group of nice used and NOS parts (including correct comfort-weave medium-blue front and rear seat covers) to be used in restoring this Judge. While these items are not currently included in our asking price, they can (and WILL) be offered to the new owner - or negotiated into the purchase price.

THIS Judge CAN be bought! Will the happy, new owner be YOU??

Out-of-country buyers are welcome here!!

We are more than willing to work with your Customs Broker and/or Transport Company to make whatever arrangements are needed to get this Judge on its' way to you!

Please email and include a daytime telephone number and we will discuss.

No broker's needed. Really. No. Thanks.

Probably not trading for anything (except cash).

We will point out that this is NOT a 'concours restoration' that will be best serving as 'garage furniture.' It's a superb driver and a very, very nice collectible car and someone is going to be really happy with it!

No paypal deposits or payments and NO scammers!

Payment in full to be received within SEVEN days. Transportation arrangements are to be completed within thirty days of auction's end.

Thanks for taking the time to read through our listing! We hope that you've found it informative. Good luck!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!!