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1970 Pontiac GTO 455 HO Parked for Too Many Years Gets a Second Chance

For many people out there, the debut of the 455 HO V8 long-stroke engine in 1970 was the Pontiac GTO they’ve been waiting for since 1965 when GM decided that the highest this series could go was 400 cubic inches.
1970 Pontiac GTO 13 photos
Photo: Craigslist
1970 Pontiac GTO1970 Pontiac GTO1970 Pontiac GTO1970 Pontiac GTO1970 Pontiac GTO1970 Pontiac GTO1970 Pontiac GTO1970 Pontiac GTO1970 Pontiac GTO1970 Pontiac GTO1970 Pontiac GTO1970 Pontiac GTO
The 455 HO was therefore received with much enthusiasm by GTO fans, with its 360 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque seen by many as a worthy upgrade the car really needed.

The GTO that you’re looking at right here is one of the models that were born with this hefty engine, though as you’ll learn in a few seconds, the car comes with both good news and bad news. Let’s start with the good news.

The car left the factory painted in Palladium Silver and sporting a black interior, and while it received several obvious visual changes throughout its lifetime, the amount of rust on it, at least the one that's noticeable in the photos, still seems to allow for a total restoration.

According to the Craigslist seller who decided to give the car a second chance by looking for a new owner, a full restoration is the only way to go. That's because the car has been sitting for many years, although we’re not told where exactly the GTO spent all this time.

In addition, it comes with PHS documentation confirming it was a well-optioned model, so if you’re planning a restoration, this is something that adds extra value at the end of the project.

The bad news is the 455 HO engine under the hood isn’t the original one, and unfortunately, we’re not told if the new unit starts or runs. On the other hand, it’s paired with the original Muncie M21 transmission, but again, no other specifics are provided.

If you want to check out the GTO in person, it’s parked in Mendon, Massachusetts. Should you decide to take it home and be the one to give it a second chance, be ready to pay $15,000 for it.
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About the author: Bogdan Popa
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Bogdan keeps an eye on how technology is taking over the car world. His long-term goals are buying an 18-wheeler because he needs more space for his kid’s toys, and convincing Google and Apple that Android Auto and CarPlay deserve at least as much attention as their phones.
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