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1970 Pontiac GTO “Judge” Project

Not to be judgemental, but this 1970 Pontiac GTO “Judge” is not in the best of shape. There’s no doubt about it, a Judge will trade for outsized value but this example is going to need some help before that happens – let’s look it over. This GTO Judge is located in Perry, Georgia and is available, here on craigslist for $19,000. Thanks to Arkie for this tip!

The GTO Judge (1969-1971) isn’t really much different than a typical GTO. Most notable are its unique stripes, decklid spoiler, and a lack of trim rings for its Rally II wheels. For ’69 and ’70, standard power was Pontiac’s 366 gross HP Ram Air III, 400 ci V8 engine, an option available in any GTO. So why all of the marketplace fanfare? No idea. The Judge went through a bit of a disappearing act over its three-year run. Total Judge output, according to Hemmings, was just about 11K units, with 6,800 in ’69; about 3,800 in ’70, and a paltry 374 in its final year of 1971.

The judgment is in on this 1970 Judge – it’s a roller, no engine or transmission. But let’s not make a snap judgment as it’s not all bad news, the seller indicates that included with this car is, “A 1970 WT bare block 1970 RAIII 12 heads and M20 (four-speed manual) transmission” – you can build your own!

The exterior of this GTO is a bit rough and the seller mentions the obvious trunk lid rot-through. There is surface rust bleeding through the Polar White finish in places and the stripes are mostly gone but the body panels appear to be straight. That prominent Pontiac proboscis, however, looks a little off. The proper Rally II wheels, sans trim rings, are employed.

One image of the interior shows it gutted and the floor looks to be sound as does the trunk pan. As for the interior components, the vinyl bolster of the passenger seat is ripped but the driver’s unit, which can be spied, looks OK. The door cards, kick panels and radio are unfortunately missing. There is not a straight-on shot of the instrument panel so its condition is unknown.

The seller claims to have Pontiac Historical Society (PHS) documentation to prove that this engineless GTO should be judged as a for-real Jurist – and that’s helpful as clones are hardly unheard of. The question remains as to how this Pontiac will be affected by its missing powerplant. It seems that if a date-correct motor could be built, that would help salvage this GTO’s value, directionally, in keeping with a Judge’s price trend. Without that, there is still intrinsic value for this most collectible of Pontiac muscle cars but not like it would be with the original engine, wouldn’t you agree?

Comments

  1. Avatar PaulG

    Whenever I see a car like this my first thought is to get it mechanically safe (in this case include an engine) and take it to an all Pontiac meet as a “survivor”.
    Might take home a trophy!
    My second thought is WTF happened! I’ve seen this happen so many times with well meaning individuals who are going to “restore it someday…”

    Like 12
  2. Avatar jerry z

    A documented Judge is worth some change. Too bad the RA3 engine isn’t original or complete. Haven’t seen many white Judges.

    Like 7
    • Avatar TED WALTHER

      I wonder how many White Judges were made in 1970.

      Like 1
      • Avatar piston poney

        if i had to guess, not meany, never seen one before, ive seen orange and green but never a white.

        Like 0
  3. Avatar Terry Bowman

    A good friend of mine had one back around 75′-76′. A complete car except he sold the RAM Air set up to someone before I knew him. I helped him put together some minor parts for it. I remember the most difficult part was the PMD center caps for the wheels. (no after market were available then). Dark Brown, 400 motor and automatic, same stripes as in photo here. The tail wing here appears to be the same Dark Brown under the pealing paint. Don’t believe it had a hood tack, but it was a automatic and not a 4-speed.

    Like 0
  4. Avatar Al

    Another way over priced puzzle in a box regarding eng/trans. This at best, is $10k. In ’15, bought for $4300 at auction & then sold 1 yr later, on Flea-bay, a numbers matching ’69 bird running after I changed fluids, oiled cyls, new plugs in & fired up, NO smoke! It was in a barn 20+ years, super straight, zero rust ORIG paint like almost new after buffing, w/ 400, T400, console, tach on hood. replaced a ratty vinyl top all I done, for $12,500, only non orig was HEI, steering wheel & air cleaner. So this guy is dreaming at $19k.

    Like 6
  5. Avatar joenywf64

    I wonder if Pontiac would have sold more of these if the ’68-69 nose was used thru ’72 – & if the ’68 tailites were used thru ’70 – & the ’69 taillites were used instead ’71-72.

    Like 0
    • Avatar DON

      I wouldn’t think so , back then cars sometimes changed completely from one year to the next . having a car that looked like it was two or three years old wouldn’t fly back then

      Like 0
  6. Avatar George Mattar

    I have seen 69 Judges in 100 times worse shape than this sell between $12,000 and $15,000. An Atoll Blue 70 Judge just sold at Mecum Vegas for $99,000. Values are rising. He has PHS and there were not many white cars built. This car is far better than most 68 Chargers you out on here.

    Like 1
  7. Avatar Troy s

    Looks like the Judge got attacked by an unhappy defendant. All about standout image, thanks to the Road Runner.

    Like 0

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