Our Pick of the Day is one of the true icons of the muscle car world, a 1970 Pontiac GTO listed for sale on ClassicCars.com in Monterey, California.
Though there is some argument about it, for most people the Pontiac GTO introduced the world to the idea of muscle cars. At this point, it is a legend, and every generation of the GTO is desirable in its own right.
What Pontiac did extremely well, and probably better than any other manufacturer, was to modify and change the GTO to respond to the changing needs and expectations of buyers. What started out as basically an option package for a GM intermediate-class car, the Pontiac LeMans, evolved into a vehicle that was not just an option package, but its own model.
In 1968 the GTO received a complete redesign with much more streamlined styling, incorporating a sort of fastback-style rear window. Pontiac also redesigned the front bumper in the body color, which was made out of a plastic called Endura. You could still get a GTO with a chrome front bumper if you wished, but the body-colored bumper, along with the dual hood scoops, are to me what makes this generation of GTO super cool-looking and very 1970s aggressive.
The seller describes this 1970 GTO as a “gorgeous restored” example painted in its factory color of Polar White with a basecoat/clearcoat process. The seller goes on to say that the second owner had it for 25 years and that they are the third owner.
The car was restored five years ago and has been garaged ever since. In the comprehensive description, the seller reports that at the time it was restored, new weatherstripping and window felts were installed. The car is said to still have all its original Soft Ray tinted glass, with the side and back glass in excellent condition. The seller also states the stainless steel around the original front and rear windows is in great shape, and the photos appear to support that. In addition, the car received new side-view mirrors, while the door handles are original and look great. Importantly, the original front Endura nose and grilles are also in excellent condition, as these can often suffer over the years. The car retains its original headlight bezels and parking lights, as well as its original wheel well and rocker moldings, all of which look outstanding. The seller also states that the car’s original rear bumper has been rechromed.
This GTO’s interior is also in extremely good condition, having been completely redone (apart from the original dash) by Legendary Auto Interiors during the restoration. This included the factory-correct red bucket seats, sail panels, deluxe package shelf, headliner, front and rear door panels, armrests and bases. The instrument cluster, which currently shows 72,000 documented miles, is original. The car does feature an upgraded Alpine AM/FM stereo with Bluetooth, happily hidden in the glovebox. A quad set of gauges and tach are mounted under the dash. The car has a deluxe steering wheel (with all three horn buttons working) and deluxe seat belts with shoulder belts front and rear, as well as new carpet, deluxe Pontiac floor mats, and new sill plates.
Under the hood of this GTO is a professionally rebuilt and blueprinted, correct Pontiac YS-code 400ci V8 with less than 5,000 actual miles. It has been bored out to 407ci and produces 444 documented horsepower. Other mechanical upgrades include an Edelbrock aluminum four-barrel intake, Demon four-barrel carb, chrome valve covers and breather, K&N filters, full MSD ignition with billet distributor, RPM red line governor chip, heavy-duty radiator with correct shroud and fan, a set of ceramic coated Hooker long-tube headers into a 2.5-inch dual MagnaFlow exhaust that exits out the back with correct tips, and power front disc brakes. What I really like most about the modifications is how understated they look when you peek under the hood.
The awesome power of this engine is carried to the rear wheels by a professionally rebuilt, smooth-shifting 400 transmission with a 2800 converter. The car also features an F41 suspension package with a larger front sway bar, rear sway bar, and boxed control arms. It has brand-new inner fender seals, adjustable shocks, springs, ball joints, and bushings, factory Safe-T-Track rear with 3.55 gears (updated with an Auburn posi unit), and a new fuel tank and sending unit. The car rides on a set of factory Rallye II wheels with correct PMD center caps and black dot lug nuts, 235/60 all around.
This truly looks to be an exceptional example of a 1970 GTO, with all the mods you would want to work well in today’s world. I don’t think I would change a thing on it. For me, this would be an awesome choice for a tour or vintage rally car. I say “tour,” as I would enter this car into something like the Copperstate 1000 and proudly represent the muscle car community at that event, which is primarily comprised of sports cars. I would guess this car is quite a bit quicker than the European sports cars on that rally and, without question, more reliable. Personally, I would gladly take home this GTO and park it in my garage.
You probably want to know what all this awesomeness is going to cost you. Well, the asking price for this 1970 Pontiac GTO is only $54,500. If that seems steep, you are nuts, as this car has way more than that invested into the restoration. In my opinion, it looks like a great value for an iconic muscle car that’s been restored this nicely.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
