Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Craigslist
The GTO went through a rough patch in the late 1960s and early 1970s, mostly because the muscle car craze was slowing down and insurance companies were tired of people wrecking their cars because of the massive horsepower under the hood.
Pontiac couldn’t stop the new trend. The GTO became a collateral casualty, with sales barely topping 72,000 in 1969.
However, GM was still looking for ways to make the GTO more compelling, and the Judge package was a brilliant idea. GTOs equipped with the $337 Judge package have become extremely desirable today, especially in mint condition and with an all-original configuration.
The Judge could be ordered with a 366-horsepower Ram Air III as standard, while the top-of-the-line version was the 370-horsepower Ram Air IV. Both are difficult to find today without prior restoration, as survivors are becoming rarer and, therefore, significantly more valuable.
The beauty
Photo: Craigslist
The first GTO I’m highlighting today is a Judge that ticks every box on a list of collectible prerequisites. This 1969 GTO with the Judge package has everything you could want, including low miles and PHS documentation.
You don't have to be an automotive expert to know that this GTO has been well cared for over the years, and that makes sense. The owner explains on Craigslist that this GTO has been in the same family since it left the dealership.
The car is completely original, and we all know how important that is for a Judge—after all, how many original Judges are still around today? Plus, this Judge has not been restored or modified, so it is a pristine survivor, with everything exactly as Pontiac intended it to be before it left the factory.
Photo: Craigslist
The owner says that “everything underneath is in fantastic condition,” and while he doesn't mention any previous repairs, the “survivor” status means the GTO still sports original metal. We're not looking at the frame, but based on the rest of the car, it's safe to assume the floors are pristine, likely because this GTO has always been parked in a climate-controlled garage.
The seller explains that this is an authenticated Judge, available with PHS documentation, equipped with a matching numbers Ram Air III 400 and four-speed transmission.
This Judge needs nothing to get back on the road, and it's safe to assume the engine starts and runs fine. It should be able to go anywhere on its own wheels, but considering the odometer only shows 37K miles, I wouldn't be surprised to see it spend most of the trip to another house on a trailer.
The owner says he has to sell the GTO due to health issues, so you can have it for $42,000. The car is located in Indianapolis.
The Beast
Photo: Craigslist
The second GTO presented today is a 1970 model in significantly worse condition, this time requiring essential maintenance to be back on the road.
As anyone can tell just by looking at the rusty bodywork, and since the car is parked on a trailer, this is a GTO that has probably been sitting for a while, so a full restoration is the only option.
The good news is that the owner has already started this project, with the engine and chassis already overhauled. Unfortunately, that's all the work done on this GTO, so whoever buys the car will have to do everything else, including finding the missing parts.
Photo: Craigslist
Another concern is how much of this GTO is still in place. The owner doesn't share any other details, letting the photos speak for themselves, but he does say that the GTO started out with factory air conditioning. They also have another 1971 GTO to go with this car if the buyer doesn't mind paying more for more parts, but that would imply that you aren't interested in keeping the vehicle completely original.
The car left the factory with a four-speed transmission, but we have no current information on the unit. It is unclear if it is still available and if it is in good condition, so contact the owner with any questions and arrange an in-person inspection if you think the GTO is worth a shot.
Unfortunately, this GTO isn't as affordable as many expected, which is probably why the car is having a hard time finding a new home. The owner wants $14,000 for the car, probably because he feels the rebuilt engine and overhauled chassis are worth more than the rest of the GTO.
This project is parked in Turlock and you will need transportation to get it to your garage. The owner says he is not interested in trades, so bring cash to give this GTO a second chance.