HomeMediaPick of the Day: 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge

Pick of the Day: 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge

Here come the retired Judge?

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Let’s be honest: Baby Boomers rule America. They’re the biggest demographic, and their generation happened to be present when the cars we love were new. Many Boomers today are considered senior citizens, yet they are living lives previous generations only dreamed about.

So perhaps the Pick of the Day, a 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge, is the perfect muscle car for Boomers. It’s listed for sale by a dealer in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Click the link to view the listing)

1970 Pontiac GTO Judge
1970 Pontiac GTO Judge

When Pontiac was planning the Judge in 1968, it was going to be a Tempest-based Road Runner-fighter called “E.T.” (for elapsed time). The project evolved into a premium, hot, bespoilered machine with an upgraded engine and a bright signature color (though any GTO color was available after an initial run of 2000). From a marketing perspective, the Judge was supposed to be a one-shot opportunity to kick GTO sales up a notch, but product planners liked its impact and proceeded to carry it over for the next model year (the Judge package was axed mid-year in 1971).

Aside of the standard Ram Air III engine (officially called “400 Ram Air” by Pontiac), most Judges came with the 4-speed. That’s how the collector market generally prefers its muscle, but this 1970 GTO Judge is equipped with an automatic. Not a scarlet letter by any means but imagine this: you’re a Boomer who’s older now and has less tolerance for rumpety-rump cams, low gear ratios and such. How does one reconcile his or her love for American muscle while driving in comfort?

Maybe this car is your answer. Painted Palladium Silver, this GTO Judge features a console-shifted TH400 automatic so your left foot can get some rest. Plus, it has air conditioning so you can drive to the next cruise in comfort. The driver’s side power seat helps you find your proper driving position (working in symphony with the tilt Formula wheel), while the manual recliner gives similar consideration to the front passenger. An unusual map light helps you see better while mapping out GPS on a phone, and the hood tach helps you keep your eyes on the road when you’re distracted by the GPS. Playing the 8-track tape player helps bring you back to a time when you were dazed and confused. And if your right foot needs some rest too, you can use the cruise control. Those aren’t the only options—take a look at the PHS invoice to get an idea of how judiciously this Goat was optioned.

Seller claims the whole kit and kaboodle is numbers-matching and “runs and drives exceptionally well—very tight with no squeaks or rattles,” though no mileage is specified. For $89,000, do you hear your calling, Boomer?

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.

Diego Rosenberg
Diego Rosenberg
Lead Writer Diego Rosenberg is a native of Wilmington, Delaware and Princeton, New Jersey, giving him plenty of exposure to the charms of Carlisle and Englishtown. Though his first love is Citroen, he fell for muscle cars after being seduced by 1950s finned flyers—in fact, he’s written two books on American muscle. But please don’t think there is a strong American bias because foreign weirdness is never far from his heart. With a penchant for underground music from the 1960-70s, Diego and his family reside in the Southwest.

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