Seeing a decline in demand for its hot GTO muscle car, the gurus at Pontiac introduced The Judge edition in 1969. Initially available in wild colors, The Judge became instantly identifiable. The name was supposedly borrowed from the Sammy Davis, Jr. catchphrase from the Laugh-In TV series, “Here Comes the Judge!”. The Judge model helped with sales in 1969, but the muscle car market began to decline further in 1970, and with it went the GTO. This ’70 Judge, finished in Verdoro Green, has received a rotisserie restoration, and looks like a brand-new automobile. Located in Ellensburg, Washington, this hottie is available here on eBay where the current bid is $68,900, the reserve is unmet, but the BIN price is $89,500.
In 1969, GTOs were still limited to 400 cubic inch V8s with a variety of horsepower outputs (the 455 would not arrive until 1970). In its first year, with lots of cool promotional activity, The Judge accounted for 6,833 GTO sales, almost all of them coupes (only 108 convertibles were built). Whether that impressed Pontiac management is unknown, but the car continued on into 1970 (3,959 copies, including the seller’s ride) and again in 1971 (just 374 units). With GTO sales still heading south, The Judge retired before going into 1972, never to return.
This GTO, which was built in Canada, is said to be numbers-matching. We don’t know the condition of the auto before the restoration as only “after” photos are provided, showing one sweet ride. It has the 400 V8 with Ram Air III induction, paired with a 4-speed manual. With the auto taken down to nuts and bolts and then restored, we’re told it’s seen less than 100 miles since the work was done. Given the level of detail the seller provides about the process, this Pontiac might be better than new.
The interior looks as great as the rest of the car and the Dark Saddle upholstery goes well with the exterior color. This Judge seems to have every option there was except for factory air conditioning (was that available with Ram Air III?). This Pontiac was built early into the 1970 model year and the seller says he/she is offering it for $10-20,000 less than “comparable vehicles”. For such a remarkable machine, why advertise that? GTO experts will know what it is and what it’s worth.
It was Pigmeat Markham who did the “here come the judge” skit.
Yes, and Sammy Davis Jr made it renowned across the world with his skits on Laugh In…
FYI Markham, Davis, as well as Flip Wilson, all took turns as the judge on Laugh In.
If this GTO Judge was rotisseried correctly (no short cuts) then the BIN price is probably about right, with the high prices that all of these older vehicles are bringing today.
Per Jim Wangers, PMD advertising legend and ‘Godfather’ of the GTO, the original intent was to create a ‘budget’ GTO to compete directly with the Road Runner. When PMD boss John DeLorean demanded that any GTO conclude at least a 400 c.I. motor, the idea of a cheaper Goat became an upline model instead of a stripper model.
GTO Judge, this condition, this color combination, manual trans. I would buy it this second if I could. Definitely a most beautiful car and a life long dream car for me.
Beautiful. 4 speed. The only way to go
I’m 42 by the way. Always has been my dream car. I had to download the pictures. Haha
Well it’s understandable but at the same time sad that you admit that publicly. Enjoy the pics!
If it is early 1970, and it does have nearly every option, does it have the vacuum operated exhaust on it?
VOE was not available on cars with either the Ram Air engine(aka Ram Air III) or the Ram Air IV.
Thanks, Steven. I knew that since the 455 was a 4Q production that it was never on them. I never did the research as to whether they were on the R.A.’s.
Slipstick, all of the VOE cars I’ve ever heard of were equipped with the 350-hp 400 4-barrel engine, the standard GTO engine. Supposedly the L74 “Ram Air” engine, aka Ram Air III(sales code 348) and the L67 “Ram Air IV”(Sales code 347) failed to produce enough vacuum due to their camshafts.
But according to the 1970 Pontiac Accessorizer book, the W73 “Driver-controlled exhaust” line description just says “n/a w/347-348” which would suggest that it was available with the GTO’s optional L75 455(Sales code 344), whether or not that engine was also equipped with the T42 “Hood Air Inlet” aka ram air(sales code 601).
As for the Judge, the 455 wasn’t available until later in the model year, after the VOE option had been canceled, but theoretically a 455(even with ram air) 455 1970 GTO with VOE was possible.
As an aside, those who have watched the 1970 Pontiac GTO TV ad that ran during the Super Bowl that year, may have noticed that silver GTO hardtop had a Ram Air IV, 4-speed, and VOE. In the last few years that vehicle was discovered and restored by respected restorer Gary Riley(Level One).
Is it still for sale? On bid it said buy for 79,995. Now it said buy for 89,995. What is the actual asking price?