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Solid Warehouse Find: 1970 Pontiac GTO

Considered by many to be the godfather of muscle cars, the Pontiac GTO hit the scene in 1964. As a performance version of the mid-size Tempest, the GTO was promoted to series status from 1966-71. This 1970 Bermuda Blue GTO looks to be one of several covered muscle cars in a large warehouse, and the seller says it “has a lot of potential” though it’s hard to tell if anything is wrong with the auto. Located in Angola, Indiana, this beautiful Poncho is available here on craigslist for $49,995. Another neat tip brought to us by T.J.!

Receiving a styling refresh in 1970, the GTO lost its hidden headlights in favor of four exposed round headlamps outboard of narrower grille openings. The nose retained its protruding vertical prow theme, although it was less prominent. The GTO differed from the Tempest/LeMans by its Endura urethane cover around the headlamps and grille. Powerplants varied between 400 and 455 cubic inch V8s, with or without Ram Air induction. The seller doesn’t mention which engine is in this Pontiac. Sales of the GTO were now in decline, down to 40,000 copies for the 1970 model year. They would continue to fall for the rest of the run.

According to the seller, this is a real-deal, PHS-documented automobile. The hardware is said to be numbers matching and the car was treated to a restoration by its prior owner, though we don’t know how long ago. From the look of the warehouse where it resides, this Pontiac and its companions don’t see much action, if any, these days. But it encountered plenty of use in the past, nearly to the point where the odometer is about to roll over.

Paperwork indicates that the GTO was delivered new by a Kentucky dealer in March 1970. The body and paint look great – from what we can see – and the interior may be just as nice, but the lighting isn’t good. We can’t help but revisit the seller’s language “this car has a lot of potential.” That implies it has problems or issues. Assuming it doesn’t need help running, why not drive and show it the way it is? Why would another restoration be needed?

Comments

  1. Avatar Poppy

    Is that unpainted body tag and attachment method factory correct?

    Like 1
    • Avatar Jerry Bramlett

      I never sausage a thing.

      Run, Forrest, RUN!

      Like 1
    • Avatar 19sixty5 Member

      It isn’t correct, but you see them like this frequently with “restored” cars. It was taken off the car from the car, paint removed and replaced with generic rivets. I would paint it black as it is supposed to be, and replace the rivets with the correct ones, they are easy to find. $50k is way out of line, but hey, ask for the moon, there just might be someone who is willing to pay that much.

      Like 0
  2. Avatar Big C

    These 1970 GTO’s are my favorite overpriced Pontiacs. Love that front end.

    Like 3
  3. Avatar CCFisher

    The seller indicates it’s a numbers-matching “YS” code engine, which translates to a 360hp 400/4bbl with automatic.

    Like 4
    • Avatar Jeff Roehl

      Also had GTO 400/400turbo sold for beer and smoke. 🤐🤐so stupid now have a 1972 Buick Skylark GS455ci will be buried in 😃😃💥🌶️💥

      Like 1
  4. Avatar George Mattar

    The body tags were flat black from the assembly plant. $50,000 is a little steep for a non Ram Air engine. Sold my mind 70 GTO in 1988 for $5,800. Dumbest thing I ever did.

    Like 9
    • Avatar Joe

      I totally agree about these prices of our muscle cars, George. The entire country suffers from horrible inflation, and it’s getting worse, not better….anybody check the price of gas lately???…..this inflation, of course, filters down to the muscle cars for sale….In my humble opinion, that’s a $35k car at best…..and that’s a big maybe…..

      Like 6
    • Avatar SteVen

      VIN decodes as 1970 GTO hardtop built in Arlington, TX.
      Info on reproduction body data plate decodes as Bermuda Blue with black interior, built 2nd week of March, 1970.
      Standard 400 4-barrel car with column-shift auto trans.
      Lovely car but the ask is pretty rich IMHO.

      Like 7
  5. Avatar Big Bear 🇺🇸

    This is my favorite year for a GTO. This is a plain GTO.. but with AC,PB,PS and auto on the column. Like a Road Runner same way with a 383. GTO having a 400. To me since the mileage is near 100,000 close to original condition. It not worth that price. Maybe $35,000 tops . Otherwise looks nice to me . I wish they had frame pictures to see the real story.🐻🇺🇸

    Like 4
  6. Avatar Mark J Alonzi

    Exact same car as mine but with a center console, rear and front spoiler. Concerning is the unpainted VIN tag. I made mine a working ram air.

    Like 4
  7. Avatar Tom

    50 grand and it “has potential”? I would hope so…

    Like 4
  8. Avatar Carter

    The YS is a lower rated motor (and non-Ram Air) than the RAIII and will be lower HP rating. This is a base engine and not the 360 HP engine.

    Like 3
    • Avatar John

      Correct. My 70 GTO has the same drivetrain. YS block is the standard 350 rated ponies. Still, not bad! Ask is too high. Should be 35 k or so. IMO

      Like 6
  9. Avatar Carter
  10. Avatar John D

    I like both 68 and 70, i like the color and convertible over the blue 70. Either way they are far too rich for my blood

    Like 0

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