The Pontiac GT-37 was better known as the poor man’s GTO. Pontiac sold these cars in hopes that some buyers may be more attracted to the stripped down version of their well-known muscle car. As it turns out, the 1971 GT-37 is rarer than the GTO of that year. That’s why this one, found here on Craigslist in Topeka, Kansas, might be for someone that’s looking for that harder-to-find Poncho.
The seller states that they’ve had this GT-37 in their barn since 1993. The pictures show a car that has had a rough life prior to being put in the barn and becoming a project. The GT-37’s could be had with three engine options – a 350, a 400, or a 455. Only 69 drove out of the factory with that big 455. This example here is the most common version, with nearly 6,000 being equipped with the 350. Unfortunately, this one is being sold without the drivetrain.
As expected, the interior will need to be fully redone. The floor pans are said to have some pinholes but it’s not hard to speculate that more will appear during the restoration process. The seller states that the car will need quarter panels replaced, which is pretty obvious from the pictures. It wouldn’t be too hard to believe that other sheet metal will need to be replaced upon further investigation as well.
It’s easy to see that this car will need a complete restoration and it will take a dedicated buyer to make that happen. Since this GT-37 is rarer than its GTO sibling, could it be worth dumping a lot of resources into? Is it rare enough to command the $3,750 asking price as it sits?
I see an overwhelming project out of an underwhelming model. No thank you.
I have a 71 T37 with a 350 in better shape than this one. (It needs some love) I’m just going to clone it into a GT 37. This one is not worth the asking price or the restoration costs involved.
Rare doesn’t equal valuable in this case. How many people are going to recognize a T37 model as being more valuable than a Goat? The guy with more money than sense is going to want the GTO, not because it’s better but because his buddies will recognize it.
When these were ordered with the base 350 they were a bland and unexiciting car. It’s too bad it’s in this condition, but anyone that spends their money restoring this car will probably be disappointed when it comes time to move on to something else. Potential buyers shouldn’t fool themselves into thinking there is much added value that comes with the GT-37 emblems, the money and interest will follow the drivetrain installed at the factory.
Steve R
My buddy back in 80s was a Pontiac nut.
He found a gt-37 in a field in Jersey
400 4 speed got it for free and we beat that thing till we put a hole in the block.
He had a lemons and a goat ragtop at the time so we junked it…nuts
Lotta money for a rusted out shell.
Maybe a future F.A.S.T racer with a 455 H.O.
But I’d rather find my brother’s old ’71 GTO.
If the plan is to turn it into a F.A.S.T. style race car it would be wise to start with something better and add the emblems. Basic two door LeMans coupes are common enough that there is no need to start with a wreck like this.
Steve R
Come on now. Gt 37 rarer than than the GTO. When it is based on a T 37 to start. A poor mans LeMans. You are not going to command big $$$. Don’t care what decal you put on it.
I live in ks at least he came down 150.00 since I looked in 2008. But he’s still got it “going up in value every day”
Never heard of a GT-37…how is it different from a T-37?
A gt37 had side stripes rally wheels and a 3 spd floor shifter and dull exhaust. A t37 was just a basic lamans