Long-term ownership is usually a good sign with any classic car, but when you find one that has been loved and cherished by the same person for 50-years, the chances are that you have found something pretty special. That is the case with this 1970 Pontiac GTO. It is a vehicle that has been treated with respect for its entire life and has managed to remain rust-free. All good things must come to an end, so the owner has chosen to part with his beloved Pontiac. Located in Sarasota, Florida, you will find the GTO listed for sale here on eBay. The action has been spirited, with 30 bids pushing the price along to $35,800. However, this is still short of the reserve, and with time running out, anyone interested might need to jump into the bidding war pretty soon.
The best word to describe this GTO is stunning. It presents superbly, and it’s worth noting that the owner treated the vehicle to a repaint in the early 1990s. It was at that point that he also decided that a color change would be a good move. He chose Dark Bronze over the original shade of Granada Gold. I generally object to such changes on unmolested classic cars, but I am quite taken by the new color. I think that when set against the original Parchment vinyl top and the spotless chrome and trim, it makes a stunning statement. Beyond the color change, this Pontiac is untouched. All of the steel is original, with no history of rust or prior accident damage. The owner has kept the car snugly locked away in a garage for the past five decades when it hasn’t been in use, and the buyer is set to reap the benefit of this level of care. The panels are laser straight, the gaps are perfect, and the tinted glass appears flawless. I think that the paint might be peeling from one edge of the front valance, but that’s about all that I can fault with the exterior.
When you look at this car’s history, it’s no surprise to learn that it has managed to remain numbers-matching. What the buyer will be getting for their money is a 400ci V8, a 4-speed manual transmission, power steering, and power brakes. This V8 should be producing a healthy 350hp, making the GTO a spritely performer. Point it at a ¼ mile, and the journey would be nothing but a memory in 14.5 seconds. The owner says that the motor has never been pulled from the car, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t received some attention. The owner recently removed the cylinder heads and sent them to be rebuilt. This process included fitting hardened valve seats so that the GTO will drink its fuel without any additives. At that point, the owner also had the timing chain replaced and had a Ram Air III camshaft installed. The distributor has been swapped for an HEI unit, but the original comes with the car. There is a massive list of recent work that the owner has had performed, and it would be enough to fill a small book! Needless to say, the buyer shouldn’t need to spend a dime on this classic’s drivetrain in the foreseeable future. Was it money well spent? You’d better believe it. This GTO is said to run and drive perfectly. The engine kicks into life effortlessly, with no odd noises or smoke. The car drives as if it were new, with no vices or problems to report. For the buyer, the open road is beckoning for this beauty.
The time has come to slip behind the wheel of this GTO, and what a pleasure it is. Your hands wrap around a deluxe walnut wheel that is free of wear and cracks. The dash is equally impressive, with no problems or issues. The Hurst shifter for the 4-speed pokes through the factory console, and the shifter has managed to retain its original walnut knob. The only noticeable change is that the owner has installed a Kenwood radio/cassette player with speakers in the rear parcel tray. However, he hasn’t cut the dash to install this, so the buyer could easily swap an original radio back in. It seems that the owner liked his touches of luxury, which is why he ordered the GTO with factory air conditioning.
Parchment upholstery can be a source of anguish for owners because it is the color that is the most prone to deterioration. It can become dirty and stained, and prolonged exposure to UV rays can cause it to develop a yellowish hue. That hasn’t happened with this car. All of the upholstery is original, and its condition is stunning. There are no rips, tears, stains, or signs of the dreaded yellow. The carpet and headliner are in a similar state, and about the only flaw that I can spot is some edge-wear on the console lid. Otherwise, it is as close to factory-fresh as you are likely to find in an unrestored survivor of this age.
It is incredible to think that a company capable of producing a car like this 1970 GTO could eventually cease to exist. I have always admired Pontiac because it was a company willing to swim against the tide within the General Motors empire. The company had a firm focus on performance and glamor. If the brand hadn’t been retired when it was, you would have to wonder whether it would survive into an automotive future that is so firmly focused on zero-emission vehicles. Perhaps it is better that it went the way it did, rather than facing a future where the mighty V8 is likely to be consigned to the pages of history. It makes cars like this beautiful GTO a fitting tribute to Pontiac and cars worth preserving for future generations to admire. You have the chance to do your bit, so will you bid on this fantastic survivor?
Just superb! Really, really nice. Buy it and drive it! GLWTA!! :-)
What’s the rear end
Does it have rally gauges
Rpm in dash ?
Imagine owning and driving since new then selling it to recoup every nickel you put into it including oil changes.
Jay Morgan, I plan on doing that with my low mileage gen 1 Ford Raptor.
Nice car but hardly a survivor. A survivor is a ALL ORIGINAL car. No repaint at all, especially in a non original color, no non original anything except consumables (oil filters, air filters, belts, etc) It is a beautiful car I would love to own.
I agree with you. I’ve noticed the author uses that term on most of the vehicles he writes about. Some people just latch on to catch phrases I guess.
Show me that definition in an official context. Until then, it is purely subjective.
If you know anything about the 1970 GTO you will see that no parchment interior was a option for this model year.The saddle was the lightest color offered that year
That is the original interior color and it’s called sandlewood.
The ad on eBay says parchment along with the description on Barn Finds. Sandlewood would be the right color.
So the car had both a interior color change and a exterior color change.
I think that the owner misstated the interior colour name. Instead of parchment he should have said sandlewood. If so there was no interior colour change. Here is an example for sale at the next Barrett-Jackson auction in June. https://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1970-PONTIAC-GTO-2-DOOR-COUPE-162434 BTW it indicates that the paint is Granada Gold. I personally like Dark Bronze more than Granada Gold. I think Adam Clarke is correct in saying that it improves the look. It isn’t original, but who cares if you like Dark Bronze more than Granada Gold?
Really bad that you would own a car for fifty years and not know what color to call your interior. As for the exterior color change it always hurts the value of any classic car. Color is a personal choice but on these classic cars it is better to look for one that was originally the color you are wanting.
Keith, what’s really bad is not recognizing that the owner of this car is most likely an older gentleman in his late 70’s or early 80’s and may have some memory issues. Perhaps you lighten up a little and just enjoy the opportunity to review a well taken care of vehicle.
I’d be kind of worried about pulling the heads off and not having the block (and heads) machined. If the owner did that I’m certain this car will have head gasket problems soon.
Getting the harden valve guides is a very good reason also those motors would be susceptible to the head gaskets failing after being idle guess they dry out or something and the same with the valve seals. Just a possibility of why.
I agree with moparman, really nice GTO, buy it and drive the heck out of it.
Nice car. I don’t mind the Dark Bronze. I like it over the Gold. Interesting that the owner’s cell phone number is a Long Island NY based #. It might have lived there until very recently. Pics of the underside would be good
It’s easy to keep a phone number no matter where you move. It saves the hassle of reaching out and trying to update their contact information. I have several friends that have kept their same phone number, even after moving across the country, numbers have become portable.
Steve R
Right. My point is that it’s a one owner car for the last 50 yrs, that owner has a NY number, therefore it’s mostly a NY car not a Florida car. Maybe it was never driven in the winter ever in NY but either way, I wouldn’t buy this without pics of the undercarriage which are not included
Really…
JCA, this ad reads like it’s a guy that just bought it from the long time owner. He never refers to himself in the first person. Contrast this ad with that of the 428CJ Mach 1 posted a little later in the day, that’s how a long time owner writes an ad.
Steve R
Seems to be a lot of rust forming in the trunk… no underside pics makes me wonder… also, he wants you to wire the full amount immediately… I would never do that.
He doesn’t refer to himself as the owner yet says “call owner at (Suffolk county NY area code)631” etc., with any questions. The ad doesn’t add up. He also identifies as law enforcement. Sounds like a retired Suffolk county NY cop moved to Fl from NY to me. That makes sense. Lack of underside pics and a random repaint are suspicious that’s all I’m saying.
Agreed. And the actual owner would know the color of the interior, and not call it Parchment instead of Sandalwood. I would also think the original owner would have held on to the manual and original sticker as well. Why does his profession matter anyway? And he wants the full amount immediately? Can you say “red flags”? Buyer beware.
The decals are too low on the front fenders…and the car would’ve looked WAY better if it was still Granada Gold.
Auction stalled out at $35.9k after seller “lowered the reserve” to just above the highest bid… no one took the final step.