Introduced in 1964 as an option package for the LeMans, the Pontiac GTO became an instant hit. Although Pontiac estimated it would move 5,000 units in the first year, the GTO found 32,450 homes. The following year, Pontiac sold more than 75,000 units. Now widely regarded as the car that popularized the muscle car segment, the GTO got a significant redesign in 1968. Like most midsize cars of the era, it gained a more aggressive appearance.
In 1969, Pontiac introduced the iconic "The Judge" version. Pontiac borrowed the name from a comedy routine and advertised the car with slogans like "All rise for the Judge" and "The Judge can be bought." It developed as a low-cost GTO to make the nameplate more competitive against the hugely popular Plymouth Road Runner.
But the Judge failed to meet Pontiac's expectations. Of the 72,287 GTOs sold in 1969, only 6,833 were ordered with the said package. In 1970, Judge deliveries dropped to 3,797. Pontiac retired the option in 1971 after 357 examples were sold. All told the Judge is one of the rarest iterations of the GTO, and solid examples are quite hard to find nowadays. The 1970 version you see here is one of those rigs.
At nearly 3,800 units sold, the 1970 GTO Judge isn't all that scarce. However, this Poncho rocks two features you won't see very often. For starters, it's a convertible, a body style that narrows the number of units built to just 168. Then there's the Atoll Blue exterior, described as rare by Pontiac experts.
There's no specific info on how many convertible Judges were finished in this hue, but we could be looking at one of a handful of units, especially since this GTO also has the matching interior.
Speaking of matching, this Judge still rocks its factory 400-cubic-inch (6.6-liter) V8 engine. The Judge came standard with the Ram Air version rated 366 horsepower, but customers could also go for the 370-horsepower Ram Air IV variant. The 455-cubic-inch (7.5-liter) HO V8, rated at 360 horses, wasn't available on the Judge until late in the model year. This GTO features a four-speed manual, which makes it one of 3,054 cars equipped with this drivetrain combo, regardless of trim and body style.
A stunningly restored classic that won several awards at GTO Association of America (GTOAA) and Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals (MCACN) events, this beauty changed owners earlier in 2024. The bidding hit $200,000 before the Judge rolled off the stage for private negotiations. The final sum remains a mystery, but it's one of fewer than ten 1970 GTOs that sold for more than $200Ki in recent years. A nearly identical example with an automatic gearbox changed hands for a whopping $572,000 in 2023. Check out this gorgeous Poncho in the walkaround below.
Ask Ciprian about cars and he'll reveal an obsession with classics and an annoyance with modern design cues. Read his articles and you'll understand why his ideal SUV is the 1969 Chevrolet K5 Blazer. Full profile
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