1970 Pontiac GTO Judge Convertible

There were only 168 Judge convertibles made in 1970.

In 1970 , Pontiac altered the GTO's styling, giving it a new Endura nose with exposed headlamps, body side creases, and a revised rear . Under hood, a newly optional 360-bhp 455-cid V-8 provided perfect torque for the option-laden, luxury cars many Pontiac GTOs had become. However, the 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge was all about total muscle car performance. ( Here’s where it gets good… )

The 455 was off  the menu until the end of the model year, when it became available via special order. Most got the 366-bhp 400-cid Ram Air III mill. The extra-cost 370-bhp Ram Air IV was installed in few Judges.

The 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge had a bold look. "The Judge" decals returned, multihued stripes appeared over the body side creases, and the 60-inch rear wing now stood high and proud on the tail.

Some Judges also got a matte-black fiberglass chin spoiler. Orbit-Orange remained an exclusive Judge color and was teamed with combination blue/orange/pink stripes. But there was no shortage of goodies. Both 400-cid V-8s came with functional hood scoops (an underdash knob controlled air flow). Pontiac finally made a rear sway bar standard and sharpened handling further with a beefier front bar, softer springs and revised shock valves. The introduction of variable-ratio power steering also improved response.

Transmission choices mirrored those of regular Goats:  3 speed  manual standard, 4 speed and automatic tranny optional, with 4 speed Judges getting a Hurst T-handle shifter. Interiors also were standard GTO, except for Judge insignia.

Sales of the '70 Judge declined with those of the GTO, and by mid '71, skidding demand caused Pontiac to retire the special edition after selling just 357 hardtops and 17 ragtops. (making those ragtops even rarer still)  By then, the top GTO engine was a 335-bhp 455 with 8.4:1 compression. For '72, the Goat was once again a LeMans option. It would eventually die off as a '74 Ventura trim package. The Pontiac GTO came back briefly in the mid 2000’s, with an Australian Holden body. The GTO was the original muscle car, and the Judge was GTO at its most extroverted. It’s not often you come across a true original GTO Judge ragtop or hardtop of any year as most are “tributes”, so when the opportunity comes along to snag a front row view at a car show…jump on it. (The opportunity, of course…not the car. That might result in a ride in an ambulance should the owner sees you!)