This listing surprised me. A 1970 Pontiac GTO “Judge” is a big deal find (Thanks Pat L!), especially in this condition and at this price. So, is it authentic? It certainly appears to be but let’s investigate. Located in Rogers, Arkansas, this GTO jurist is available, here on craigslist for $59,500.
Pontiac’s GTO judge was in its second year and managed to put up sales of almost 3,800 copies out of a total GTO count of 40,419 according to Hemmings. Once again, graphics, spoilers, badges, and missing trim rings comprised the bulk of the Judge package, though a more powerful engine, than that found in the regular GTO, was standard courtroom procedure. Generally, all Judges were two-door hardtops though 168 drop-top versions were assembled.
According to Top Speed, Orbit Orange was the go-to color for the ’70 Judge but any GTO hue was available. Our subject car has a very regal bearing in its what looks like a Burgundy Poly finish. No doubt about it, this one’s a looker. The seller claims 52K original miles with PHS documentation to guarantee authenticity. Is it a survivor? Looks it, that’s for sure, but there’s no accompanying backstory so an inquiry would have to be made regarding this beautiful car’s previous half-century of existence.
The standard Judge engine in ’70 was a 366 gross HP, 400 CI V8, known as RAM Air III and that’s what’s ensconced between this goat’s fender wheels. The seller claims it “runs and drives very well… you can drive this car anywhere it is super dependable“. While surprisingly, a three-speed manual transmission was standard equipment, most buyers seemed more inclined to specify a four-speed manual or go with a three-speed Turbo Hydramatic automatic gearbox as is the case here.
The interior shows as well as the exterior. Other than some wear on the steering wheel rim, the tan vinyl upholstery belies this car’s age. And it’s not just the upholstery, it’s the carpet, dash pad, door cards, all of it – it appears to need nothing.
How does a car like this GTO Judge survive all of these years and remain so perfect? It’s either excellent care and storage, with restrained use, or a total restoration job. Now for that little matter of price. It seems that a Judge in this condition will frequently trip the six-digit mark – and this one certainly appears to be worthy of that exalted perch, so what gives? There’s no image of the PHS documentation but that would be a place to start. So, too good to be true, or…?
Interiors should be available and only three colors black, black, or black. Worst case, gunmetal gray. Hard to beat the Elegance and richness of a black interior in every car I can think of. I won’t even consider a car without a black interior that’s how ridiculous I am. Good day to you all full car lovers! Hope you find what you’re looking for 👍
As a life long wrench turner, I can testify that a black interior is the ONLY way to go for a daily driver.
Jim,
No where in the ad does it call this car out as a Judge. It does say Ram Air III. More than likely it is just another victim of an aftermarket stripe kit and wing. Didn’t notice, but they probably added the requisite hood tach too.
Yes, it’s probably a clone and that explains the price. It’s well done, however.
JO
Why would you state you have PHS historical documents and then not show them in the ad? My take is that it is a true Ram Air III motor (which PHS could document) that’s been transplanted into a clone-a nice clone but a clone.
Or it’s a real, Ram Air III GTO that someone has dressed as a GTO Judge.
The feds got a man in Ohio for trying to pass a 65 Malibu off as a SS. . The console has me. I had a 68 GTO that had a his/hers Hurst shifter in it. This one is a plain Jane .That looks like it would be in a plain Tempest. If I was gonna pay big money out. I would wand 100% proof of what I am buying. Check it of really good. Look up under the body and check this car out really good.
The Hurst Dual/Gate shifter(aka “His and Hers” shifter) was no longer available on the GTO after 1968. It was only offered for the 1967 and 1968 model years.
I was wondering if it was a Tempest also…
Michael, while always possible for a 1970 Tempest to be cloned into a GTO, including a Judge, the Tempest nose, hood and even fenders were different. As always, checking the VIN and then getting the PHS docs will tell the true story.
I never thought I’d say this but 59,000 seems very low for real Judge. It’s probably an add on deal.
“The Humbler”. Guy knows his Pontiacs if he’s referring to that option package! Real / No real Judge status should be spelled out
The Humbler was not a GTO option, it was the marketing campaign under which the GTO was promoted in 1970. And, no, ‘The Humbler’ was not the VOE driver-actuated exhaust cut-out option. The option appeared to be used by the driver in a TV ad promoting the ’70 GTO as ‘The Humbler’. It is ad-speak, not an RPO.
BTW, the VOE exhaust option was not available on Judges or any Ram Air cars.
@Des
You are correct about the name “Humbler” being a marketing ad campaign speak promoted for the 1970 GTO, it was NOT an option.
The option was “W-73 VOE”, vacuum operated exhaust, performance exhaust option, it was introduced as an option in November of 1969 and cancelled in January of 1970. There was a knob under the dash called “exhaust mode”. If you watch the Superbowl commercial you can see it next to the “Ram Air” knob. The day after the Superbowl commercial aired on January 11, 1970 on CBS, top GM Execs cancelled the commercial and the option. There are different speculations as to why they cancelled it. It’s believed that about 233 GTOs were fitted with the device before it was canceled in January 1970.
Car is listed as a GTO Ram Air III. No where does it say it is a Judge. It says it is PHS documented. Do you think that if it was a ”real” Judge, the seller would not say that. Hence, it is NOT a Judge, or it would say so. End of that mystery. Maybe the seller is hoping a non-educated person will buy it, thinking it is a real judge.
A lovely GTO. Personally I like the Burgundy exterior with Sandalwood interior color combination. A few incorrect items to note: the now seemingly ubiquitous air cleaner decal is aftermarket. The only GTO that got air cleaner decals were the 1971-72 455 HO cars. The Hurst badge on the trunk lid is also not factory. Most aspects of the Judge package are added here, though the air scoop inlets would be black on a real Judge. Body color inlets are correct for a non-Judge Ram Air 1970 GTO. FYI Pontiac’s name for this engine for 1970 was simply “Ram Air” and Pontiac never used the name “Ram Air III.” BTW the redline on the hood tach is correct for the Ram Air engine.
Judge or not,if the underneath is clean it’s a deal
THANK YOU Bill !
gees, seems more ego and not enough enthusiasts here.
Ive always thought the Judge package looked stupid anyway, though ironically, first ive seen with the burgandy paint and looks better on this car.
Whether its a Judge or not doesnt matter when its a pristine 70 GTO,
its about the body, engine, interior and this car might be the nicest ive ever seen, not the stickers ! 🙄
So, the question is NOT about the silly stickers but about the car itself, and folks, THIS is an amazing specimen for a sensible price.
Someone oughtta snatch this up.
Pickford’s Judge was a fake.
For sale in Arkansas with three-week expired Gibson county, Indiana plates?
A flipper most likely with no knowledge of it’s history. I’d want proof if I was buying it as a GTO and especially if I was buying as a Judge. Otherwise it’s a nice Tempest.
I doubt a real Judge in this apparent condition would sell for the asking price, that would be a pretty darn good deal. For a clean 70 GTO it is near top dollar, especially as a non-AC car. I would prefer it without the rear spoiler and eliminate the Judge decals, but keep the fender eyebrows, as they were available on a non Judge car as well. I was never a fan of the 70-72 rear spoiler, they were like a table, huge. The 69 was a much better design. Burgundy with a saddle interior is a great combination, my 70 Elco SS is burgundy/saddle. I have two other cars with black interior, another with a bright blue metallic interior, matching the Marina Blue paint. A black interior is boring in my opinion, but it is very easy to live with!
The rear DUCKTAIL spoiler of ’72 was much much rarer than the earlier W-73 VOE option. Only 2 cars got that!
http://www.pontiacserver.com/72gtoducktail.jpg
The latter is avail as a repro from yearone for any ’70-72 lemans or gto that has no rear spoiler. Not sure if it would fit a ’68-’69.
https://www.yearone.com/Product/1964-72-GTO/PJ2
No Judge decals on the side either, which was standard I believe. It’s nice that there are so many experts on this site.
The decals as shown I believe are correct for a 1970 GTO Judge(each front fender plus trunk lid), plus the glove box emblem inside.