Despite looking like a forever-parked potential nightmare, this 1970 Pontiac GTO in Newhall, California enjoys regular weekend drives, though the rusted blue-tag sticker from 1973 suggests it’s not exactly ready for a charity power tour. Check out a nicely composed and honest-looking listing here on eBay, where the never-restored Poncho awaits a $15,000 opening bid. The VIN beginning with 242 denotes a genuine GTO, according to Wikipedia.
Model year 1970 saw horsepower peak for many classic muscle cars, and even this possibly-original base 400 would have made a stout 350 HP and 445 lb-ft of torque, according to the factory brochures at lov2xlr8. The factory-looking dual-snorkel air cleaner housing appears to have survived a rattle-can black touch-up, while a newer alternator, radiator hose, flex fan, and brake master cylinder support the weekend driver claim.
Minimal rust is typical for the Golden State, where ’70s cars travel sunny highways and byways as used cars, often granting multiple owners decades of use without being taken out of service. This GTO could be running long after a 2025 muscle car finds a junkyard with electronic or technical gremlins too complicated fix. With so many GTOs in immaculate condition, it’s refreshing to see this one’s ’70s / ’80s street-cruising vibe with the forward rake and fat tires. You want a piece of this? Don’t forget: a pair of fuzzy dice adds at least 20 HP.
The all-business black vinyl interior boasts a tilt-wheel and air conditioning, but don’t expect it to blow anything except hot spores. A TH400 three-speed automatic handles the gear changes.
The Endura bumper started in 1968, a composite material serving as a combination nose cone and bumper, giving these Pontiacs a truly special look up front. Pontiac had a little fun introducing the concept in this vintage commercial for the 1968 GTO. Would you take a whack at restoring this GTO or fix the mechanicals and enjoy its ’80s street thug look?
A/C blows ” hot spores “.. 😄😄😄
I can’t believe that he is driving this car on the weekend with the interior as crusty as it is and no tail lights. Maybe pulls it out of the garage and then back in come Monday morning.
So needs interior and dash and carpet.
Trunk lid and pan,,, go ahead and get a gas tank,,, floor area not pictured but go ahead and expect pans to be applied.
I like the bumper and the color to put back.
I find it hard to believe its driven on the street and think its bottle feed to the carb .
Good luck on sale and this is not to bad to restore.
THis needs interior and dash plus carpet after pans and paint.
Trunk lid and gas tank lines for brakes and fuel.
I like the bumper and the color to put back.
I find it hard to believe its driven on the street and think its bottle feed to the carb .
Good luck on sale and this is not to bad to restore compared to some listed. A engine running video would help sell the vehicle.
If it really drives then post it too!
No fuzzy dice!
I wouldn’t pay fifteen K for this. That rust is concerning, especially since its eaten away some of the metal. If the interior wasn’t roached maybe, or if the interior required restoration but the the body in better shape, yeah
That said, I loved that commercial.
Not to beat a “dead horse”, or in this case, a”dead goat”, 15 k is a little optimistic considering what we can see. Would be helpful for sellers cause if they trickled out a little more information.
Sad that costs to restore has climbed so high as to eliminate cool cars from receiving much needed love.
Hopefully seller is flexible and someone sees this as a “ diamond in the rough “!
Brings back memories. In 1970 I ordered my GTO with a 455 and 4 speed and ticked the box for an am/fm radio. The first set of tires lasted me a month before having to replace the. Didn’t have to power brake it the tires broke free immediately. It was fun.
How exactly would you “power brake” a 4 speed?
To do a Smokey stationary burnout, rev it up, dump the clutch then hit the brake with your left. Just make sure the tires are spinning or you’ll fry your clutch.
Steve R
He said that he didn’t have to power brake it, it is a 4 speed pop the clutch and hit the gas. I had a 70 with a 400/455 heads eldabrock Holley turbo 400 w/ shift kit and posi could smoke the tires at will
Looks similar to my first car in baja gold. Was this parked near the ocean in CA? The rust is a lot worse than I would expect for this vehicle if it was always kept in the Santa Clarita area as this is basically a dry desert. I would not pay $15k because the rust seems too much for what is seen. There is always more you can’t see. Also, does it even run?
Ebay add is comical. “Meticulously maintained”, really? Perfect for weekend drives but recommended is gets towed. But the jack is in the trunk, so better buy the car soon. Tow strap may be something else needed for trunk contents.
Co worker had one with 4 speed manual , claimed 60mph in second gear, chirping tires into third and even 4th.
Muscle car heyday shortly to come to an end.
Define meticulous.
Did he use it to launch his boat all the time and leave it on the boat ramp in the water while boating? Not your typical California car. Imagine what you CAN’T see.
I don’t think the seller has ever cracked open a Webster’s.
That is a hard 45,000 miles. Meticulous. This dude needs a dictionary. Plain Jane car. Boring. I will put the 15K in a mutual fund instead. I had a 70 GTO in the late 80s with 70,000 miles. Got it in California look 100 times better than this one.
Used car, but aren’t they all.
Brings back memories. But not enough to think asking price is ok for what you get. No where near enough info about it to actually consider, not that I’m in the market. Half that ask would be a lot in my opinion.
Steve R. That works just Jim dandy fine as long as you have loosened up the rear brakes prior to trying that. That is precisely what they do when you see those big burnouts on Roadkill. “Power braking” is foot braking an automatic.
SOLD for $19,200.
Wow, didn’t see that coming.