Some classic listings force us to make assumptions, something many serious buyers try to avoid. Such is the case with this 1970 Pontiac GTO. It appears to be a promising project candidate featuring a fuel-injection upgrade to its 400ci V8. However, the seller’s images are sadly lacking, and their description doesn’t overwhelm us with information. That hasn’t cooled interest, with this GTO gaining plenty of attention since the seller listed it here on eBay in Mesa, Arizona. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Curvette for spotting an icon that could be yours for $20,000 OBO.
This GTO is a genuine mystery machine. The seller’s exterior shots don’t provide a complete overview, meaning we must speculate about whether there is any panel rust. I suspect the car is probably solid, and is a stalled project where the sheetmetal has been returned to a rust-free state. I can spot areas of dry surface corrosion, but no evidence of steel penetration. It wears Gray primer, and scouring the listing images failed to reveal what paint shade the car originally wore. That isn’t a disaster, because if the Cowl Tag is legible, that will answer one vital question. The seller provides no information about the condition of the floors or the underside. Still, their decision to install a full Flatline Insulation and Sound Dampening Kit suggests there are no issues requiring attention. The glass may be acceptable for a driver-grade build, but it is unclear whether the trim is complete.
Lifting this GTO’s hood reveals a 400ci V8. The remaining mechanical components include a four-speed manual transmission, power steering, and power brakes. This motor would have delivered an official 350hp and 445 ft/lbs of torque in its prime, confirming the GTO is a genuine muscle car. Once again, the seller leaves us flying blind by omitting crucial information. It is unclear whether the V8 is original or healthy. They recently added a Holley Sniper EFI system, and you wouldn’t typically bolt one of those to an engine requiring work. The car doesn’t run or drive because the new owner needs to sort the wiring. It appears a new harness may be on the agenda to achieve that goal.
The news is better when we examine this Pontiac’s interior. It features bucket seats and a Hurst pistol-grip shifter for the four-speed. It looks like the seller may have splashed some cash inside this classic, fitting new seatcovers, door trims, rear passenger compartment trims, a dashpad, and a new faux timber gauge fascia. It needs more love to present at its best, with a carpet set, a headliner, and a few dash components on the buyer’s shopping list. However, as a starting point, it looks pretty promising.
It would be easy to dismiss this 1970 Pontiac GTO, placing it in the too-hard basket due to the lack of information furnished by the seller. However, with Listing View and Watch List tallies of 299 and 17, respectively, it seems that people are taking this classic seriously. I would probably negotiate an in-person inspection before committing funds to it, and with over three weeks remaining on the listing, there is time to follow that path. Is that what you would do?
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