Looking a bit like the victim of a Middle East sand storm, this 1971 Pontiac GTO has the perfect “Roadkill” vibe going on. It’s almost bad enough that one might be inclined to avert their eyes. What in the Sam Hill happened to this goat? Well, it’s not all bad and it actually has some redeeming qualities, so let’s check it out. This Tin Indian is located in Reno, Nevada and is available, here on eBay, for a current bid of $10,300 with 27 bids tendered so far.
We are told that this Pontiac is the real thing GTO-wise and is wearing “ORIGINAL FACTORY ‘CARDINAL RED’ EXTERIOR, ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR COLORS“. Well, it’s sorta wearing it, what bits of it can still be seen. It looks like someone took a scraper and some paint remover to the body, patched some of it with Bondo, and then slopped some primer around in some of the more troublesome places. Even the rear chromed bumper got the same scratch-off treatment – how odd. If you review all of the images, you’ll find rot-through in places and what looks like a bullet hole in the hood. Rounding things out are a set of Chevrolet(?) rally wheels, an arguably poor choice when Pontiac Rally II’s would be correct and, subjectively, look better.
Under the hood is a recently rebuilt 300 gross HP, 400 CI V8 engine which we are told, “RUNS AND DRIVES GREAT – CAN BE DRIVEN ANYWHERE”. I have a friend who recently picked up a ’71 goat, in excellent condition, and without naming numbers, got a very reasonable deal. His biggest complaint was the sluggish performance – hot rodding was on the way out in ’71 as Federal emission control standards were starting to take effect. With his automotive skills, he pulled the engine, swapped the heads and cam, and voila’, a Poncho wake-up call. Regardless, this GTO, with its Turbo-Hydramatic 400, three-speed automatic transmission should still provide some entertaining “go”.
The interior is a real “What da hey” situation. The dash couldn’t be more trashed – it looks like a bomb went off in there. The seats, door panels, and carpet, however, are excellent. No worries, an entirely new dash assembly is included in the sale. It appears to be comprehensive too with wiring, vents, gauges, etc. all included.
No doubt about it, this car is an unusual juxtaposition with its rebuilt engine and restored interior on one side and the deplorable condition of the body on the other. In spite of being told that the floors and trunk pan are solid, and the images indicate so, I don’t think I’d take a chance on this GTO. It’s at least a $10,500 entry price at this point and the body and paint will be untold – you know, the more you dig, the more you find. Then again, I’m not that venturesome; but how about you, worth taking a chance?
Oh my what happened? The nose is a mess and for a California car little bit of rust showing in the front fenders. East Coast car that ended in AZ now in California oh my.
I had an Orange 72, with a white vinal top and interior, 4 spd/400ci..had the windows tinted Orange too…put a set of Cragars on it (honeycombs were shot)…kick myself for selling it….but it was a “Wisconsin Special” !!!!!!
I’ve got reservations about this mess.
Why do people keep installing these red air cleaner stickers? Pontiac never, repeat, never used them. The only correct, factory installed decals were used on the 71-72 455 HO cars.
I couldn’t agree more about the Rallys.
The listing says that a replacement dash comes with the deal. They should have installed it – would probably have netted them thousands when the auction ends.
There’s nothing a rattle can paint job won’t fix on this Goat. Prime it grey, and freak out the crowd at the local cars and coffee.
This was at MCormick’s auction in Palm Springs in February.Buddy was shouting at anyone within range ” Take a look man,Here’s your Gto ,all the hard work is done,just a few weekends ,and you’ve got yourself a fifty thousand dollar car “.I moved in , as I am addicted to projects,and within 5 minutes (and at least 10,ooo more words of curber jibberish ),I had seen enough.The only way I could escape the Volcanic eruption of wannabe flipper cliches was to respond ” partner ,if there was $20 grand in cash in the glovebox ,the buyer might only be another $20k under water at the end “.
I heard it sold as the not sold cars were leaving the lot at the end of the auction.Having said the above ,the car is actually better than it looks in some ways ,and has a good frame and pans,and IT IS A 71 GTO ,so it is worth saving .I’ve just been there too many times.
You guys think this is bad? Go see the holey goat on Pole Barn Garage on YouTube.
But the Holey Goat is “bad” in the best way possible!
Looking closer at this old Goat, there appear to be some positives. This car was built in Fremont, CA, and is being sold in Reno. If this car lived in the Reno all it’s life, there is every reason for the paint being baked off the car, as well as that disaster of a dash pad. Overall the car appears to be very solid, the trunk floors look great, the underside shots look good as well. Having a replacement dash is a huge plus, install that, a headliner and dome light, the interior looks pretty decent. The AC compressor has a belt, so that’s a plus, but there is no mention of whether or not it functions. The rust at the bottom of a fender is common. Debris enters in the cowl falls to the bottom of the fenders, clogs the drains and it rusts. Very common, even for some west coast cars, depending on where or how it was parked/stored. The hood appears to be savable, it would be interesting to hear the story behind that hole, it is fairly large and in an odd place. I can’t speak to the restoration of an Endura bumper. Granted it’s a 1971, not as desirable as a 70 or earlier, but restored, it could be a nice car, and certainly less common at car shows for sure. No Reserve auction, now at $11k with 3 days left.
Unlike Chevelles that got uglier (my opinion) in 71 and 72, the GTO got better looking by far.
The reason the ‘Judge’ got so popular musts been the stickers and wing, but again in my opinion is kinda ugly. This is a good deal, and ya, this is Barn Finds, and cars needing cleaning and finishing is what is to be expected.
A $7000 paint job and install the dash, easily will sell for $20.
BUT this is NOT about flipping, its about the enthusiast and enjoying, finding a good deal on the dream car for thise of us that dont have company money, dads money, or just wealthy.
$10 for this is a great chance for someone to afford a solid GTO
What the 1965 guy said. I was told recently a hood patch panel was recently released as most of these rotted like the Titanic.
A very fixable car if you have time and knowledge.
Might be the same seller, has a 1973 GTO posted on ebay same or worse condition
I’m thinking that finish the interior, and clean up some of exterior rust, but run with the weathered original red paint where you can and keep the hood with the bullet hole.
Let’s face it, we mostly buy a car because we love that particular vehicle! Buy one fairly inexpensive, do a little at a time as we get extra money, make it your own. By that time, we may end up spending more than the vehicle is worth! You get it looking pretty good, you get that vintage feeling, it brings back good memories! How can you put a price on those good times?
TO CJinSD: I fully agree with your comments. This is the next thing to a parts car. If you are expect to sell something that looks like it spent 30 years rotting in a salvage yard and you have the replacement parts, put in some effort to make it more appealing. Any reputable body shop would find a replacement front end over the cost of labor and materials to get it this one back to original.
Also, as a subscriber to Barn Finds: Would you PLEASE ask sellers to show before/after photos and wash layers of dirt off the car to show the paint underneath? TY!
Unless Barn Finds is handling the sale, we have absolutely no control over how the car is photographed. We’re just hiking the existing listings from eBay, craigslist, Facebook Marketplace – places like that, and then adding a narrative to present to our readers.
JO
ahhhmm, Micheal, its called BARN FINDS..
“30 years ROTTING in a salvage” ??
“put in some effort” ???
“Any reputable body shop would find a replacement front end” for a 71 GTO ?!?
“As a subscriber to Barn Finds”
Micheal, are you ok, having some cognative challenges or mild dillusions ?
Ive yet to read a more rediculous comment on this site.
Its not rotted, in fact its pretty solid, it has been sanded and body work initiated for paint.
The ‘effort’ is obvious, sanded !, wheels and tires, engine rebuild, a replacement dash, out in drive for pics; more effort than many, especially on BARN FINDS; the concept and definition apparently escapes you.
A replacement 71 GTO front end, not likely, and why because this one has some prep and paint to be done ?, as would a ‘replacement’ and the hole is not something to scrap a 50 year old USA steel GTO hood or extremely rare endura nose over.
Barn Finds doesnt control or dictate the seller nor the find. They share posts of those who find barn finds. Even if they did, which is a rediculous notion “as a subscriber” to tell the classified host to tell the seller to take before and after pics of washing.
In fact, the true ‘barn find’ cars are appreciated and celebrated for the accumulation of dust etc., and the washing is up to the buyer.
Im still shocked and annoyed by your post, and compelled to write this.
Perhaps you should stick with new cars, or carmax. This Barn Finds stuff is way out of your league.
A Happy and healthy Fathers Day to all the Dads out there, its a most often thankless and ‘bad guy’ role but also so crucial, beneficial and apparent when theres a good Dad in place.
Thank You