It’s no Tri-Power car, it isn’t a Judge, and it isn’t a even the “right year” for the GTO, whether you believe that’s 1964, 1967, 1969 or 1970. It’s not 100% restored. It isn’t even a four-speed car. And there isn’t one part of that layout that I care anything about. This Starlight Black 1971 GTO is so stunning that any “fault” anyone could bring against the car should be promptly ignored. Like the other GM A-body models, the GTO was a mildly freshened up carryover from the 1970 model year…the next body style was planned to debut for 1972, but had to be pushed back a year after strikes at GM plants forced the company to delay their release. Performance wasn’t dead in 1971 at any of the manufacturers, either…even with some of them dropping their overkill-for-1970 editions, a 400ci Goat would still move quite nicely, especially with 3.55 gears out back.
This particular GTO was restored to a high level and then modernized in certain key areas. There’s Detroit Speed suspension components, boxed rear control arms and a brake upgrade hidden by 17″ Pontiac “honeycomb” style wheels. The car itself was well optioned, with a black bucket interior, hood tach, air conditioning, power steering and brakes. It’s a car that should be photographed only between sunset and sunrise, but should be driven as often as possible. It’s not as flashy as a Judge would be, but you know what? Dressed up in simple black-and-chrome works beautifully. We won’t complain one bit!
Gorgeous. I’ve always liked the 71-72’s. The nose and hoods are so distinctively “Pontiac”. Whoever buys it is going to have an attention getting ride.
One nquestion… Judge badge on the dash. Is it or isn’t it?
The 242 at the start of the vin says real GTO, anybody know how to spot the real Judge?
I would add fuel injection and a manual trans, and it’d be a great driver
Don’t care how many layers of black paint it has. What was PMD thinking of when it screwed up the front end with that anteater nose ? Those camera angles can’t hide the fact that one can’t polish a turd no matter what and how much money was spent. GTOs died after 1970 because the stylists couldn’t leave well-enough alone. Malaise era here we come……..