Pontiac introduced “The Judge” to its Second Generation GTO range in 1969, with 6,833 buyers handing over the cash to drive one off the showroom floor. It remains one of the most desirable versions of the GTO, and genuine examples can command stratospheric prices. The seller believes this car might be the real deal, but they are pretty unconvincing. It is an essentially complete vehicle that has been partially restored. It needs a new owner to take matters in hand and return it to its former glory. The GTO is listed here on Craigslist in White Stone, South Carolina. If this is a genuine Judge, the asking price of $5,000 OBO could make it one of the bargains of 2023. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Chuck F for spotting this intriguing classic.

The seller confirms that this Pontiac is a GTO, but the water becomes muddy from there. It is a stalled restoration project where most of the metalwork has been completed to return the car to a rust-free state. It is unclear what was replaced or what remains to be done. The panels appear free from problems, but it would take an in-person inspection to uncover the truth. It is the same story when it comes to verifying whether it actually is a Judge. There is no evidence that it wore the correct rear spoiler, but the restoration may have included replacing the trunk lid. Some pieces of glass and trim are missing, and although the wheels and tires are new, they aren’t the correct Rally II items that were standard fitment on a Judge.

Things become more complicated when we lift this Pontiac’s hood. We receive no information on whether the engine is the numbers-matching 400ci V8, but it wears an aftermarket Edelbrock intake and carburetor. The various shots of the interior and trunk don’t reveal signs of the original items or the correct air cleaner. If this is the real deal, the shopping list of parts to return this classic to its factory specifications could be long. If we assume for a moment that this is the genuine article, its 400ci V8 would have sent at least 366hp and 445 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a three-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission. The GTO is a genuine muscle car, with its ¼-mile ET of 14.3 seconds confirming that fact. There is no information on whether the engine turns, but factoring a rebuild into the restoration budget would be wise.

The mystery deepens when we examine this Pontiac’s interior. It appears to be complete, but it is buried under a mountain of parts. I can spot some respectable or potentially reusable items like a factory console, but all bets are off from there. Pontiac initially released The Judge in the single paint shade of Carousel Red, with other colors joining the fray later in the year. I have seen this color teamed with interiors trimmed in Black or (occasionally) White. But this car features Dark Green trim. If that is original, it suggests the original owner might have ordered the car in popular Verdoro Green. That means that if it is a Judge, it would have rolled off the line in the second half of 1969. This is all supposition and makes that in-person inspection more critical.

Determining a potential value for this 1969 Pontiac GTO is challenging because a lot rides on verifying what it is. If a deeper investigation confirms it is what the seller believes and is numbers-matching, a figure of over $70,000 is there for the taking if the restoration is a high-end job. Perfection could see that rise to $100,000 on a good day. However, even a regular GTO without its original motor can easily top $40,000 in the current market. What do you think? Is this a genuine Judge? Would you be prepared to throw caution to the wind at the price, or would seeing the car in the flesh be vital before committing to this project?