The handwriting was on the wall for the Grandaddy of muscle cars, the Pontiac GTO. From peak sales of 96,000 cars in 1966, the GM division couldn’t muster 11,000 copies in 1971. So, the car was no longer its own series in 1972 and gone altogether after 1974. The seller’s car is a 1971 LeMans which the seller says is a GTO clone. If that’s the case, the work was done years ago given the amount of rust present today. This rough project is in Toms River, New Jersey, and is available here on craigslist for $5,500. An attaboy goes to Mitchell G. for another tip from way back when.
Muscle car interest was down across the industry by 1971 thanks to market saturation (the genre was in its eighth year by the). And due to rising insurance premiums as insurers had become wise to the risks. But within Pontiac itself, the GTO had some competition from the LeMans Sport which could be ordered with a lot of GTO features without alarming Allstate and State Farm. From 44,000 deliveries in 1970, 75% fewer GTOs left the factory in 1971.
The seller doesn’t get into the history of this Pontiac, only to say it was a barn find he/she had intended to restore. But the ship has sailed on that plan, so someone else gets to have the honors. The odometer reads just 11,000 miles, but surely the counter has already gone around at least once. An incomplete 455 cubic inch V8 sits under the hood, but we don’t know if its period-correct or if the automatic transmission is functional.
This car seems to look the part of a ’71 GTO, but rust is likely plentiful given the rear deck lid. The photos provided don’t help much and exclude any view of the interior which could otherwise be great or a total mess. If want to restore a 1971 GTO, would you be better off with the real deal or a rough pretender?
The top looks like it’s a convertible 😲
It’s what’s under the top that’s concerning Stan.
Yeah, looks like a huge surprise is hiding under that black vinyl top. Hope I’m wrong. God I hope I’m wrong.
run forest run!!!!
Rough, but worth a look if you live nearby.
Steve R
Had a 1969 Lemans with the chrome bumper back in 1992 picked it up in Bricktown NJ after I ETSD out of Fort Drum not far from Tom’s River on the cheap & yes it was rusty mostly back window (someone had used clear chaulk on it)but a sweet 350 4 barrel autotrans made up for it! From my experience it would be a hard pass but the memories of blasting around town are priceless
Yes, the Muscle Car ship has sailed!
Not sure why a 1971 Clone, too many other options–have to pass on this one!
What’s under the vinyl top is concerning but other than the trunk lid I’m not seeing a whole lot of rust, but without any underside shots it’s a gamble. You could replace the trunk lid and if the roof checks out have a driver you can restore.
I agree with you. It is a weird amount of rust on that trunk lid but from what few pictures are it looks almost like the paint looks really good on it? Yeah the vinyl roof could hide some problems but it’s not always a problem. It certainly does look like a really interesting project, but definitely would need to be investigated more. Looks like this would be really fun to look at!
My cousin actually bought this car. Body is not too bad. The trunk is shot though. Engine was thought to be seized but he was able to get it to turn over. He got a better price on it too so not a bad start so far.
I found a real deal 71 Judge on this site a year ago. I verified it’s a Judge after I paid the fee and sent them the serial number. It was missing the engine but the tranny was there. It’s one of just 11 Judges built that year with a 3 speed. And the honeycomb wheels added to the value. The front seats, carpet, headliner, and dash pad need work but the body has very little rust. Did I do OK for $4,000? Does anyone know where I can find an engine?
The vinyl top condition is compelling. If it’s rusted up high, it is almost certainly underneath.