A Look at the Classic 1970 Pontiac GTO

The first generation of GTO is credited as popularizing the muscle car market in the early 60’s with all four domestic automakers producing models.

The first generation of GTO is credited as popularizing the muscle car market in the early 60’s with all four domestic automakers producing models. These models were full of power, muscle and style that attracted a younger generation who sought street performance in their new vehicles.

Manufactured by U.S. automaker Pontiac, a GM subsidiary, from model years 1964 to 1974, it was a mid-size muscle car with a front-engine and rear-wheel-drive configuration.

This car is a 1970 Pontiac GTO, that year they sold just over 40,000 of them which 4,356 of them came with the “Judge” option. The Judge option included the Ram Air III engine, Rally II wheels without trim rings, Hurst shifter, wider tires, various decals, and a rear spoiler. GTOs also came in a convertible model but the majority, just over 36,000, were coupes.

In the early 1960s Pontiac’s advertising and marketing strategy was based on performance because of GM’s ban on factory-sponsored racing at the time. So Pontiac began to focus on street performance and the younger demographic.

It’s documented that John DeLorean, who worked a for an advertising agency at the time was part of a group that came up with the name GTO after they were inspired by the Ferrari 250 GTO. It’s an Italian abbreviation for Gran Turismo Omologato or Grand Tourer Homologated, which meant it was officially certified for racing in the grand tourer class. On the contrary, the Pontiac GTO was never certified as a Grand Tourer race car but initially was called the “Grand Tempest Option” after its predecessor.

In 1970 the Pontiac GTO received another facelift deleting the hidden headlights in favor of the four exposed round headlamps in the grille opening. The nose retained the protruding vertical prow theme, although it was less prominent.

The suspension was upgraded with the addition of a rear anti-roll bar and a slightly stiffer front anti-roll bar. The result was a useful reduction in body lean in turns and a modest reduction of understeer.

This car has a few upgrade of it’s own!

Painted in Polar White over black interior, originally Granada Gold.
Converted from an automatic transmission to a 4-speed manual.
Year appropriate 6.6L V8 400 CI engine with over $20k in maintenance & upgrades recently performed in December 2019. (see below)