1970 Pontiac GTO Judge

Buzz

©2007 Publications International, Ltd. As the GTO evolved into a more refined luxury muscle car, the Judge remained firmly grounded in its youthful, rebellious spirit. Check out more muscle car images.

For 1970, Pontiac updated the GTO's design with a fresh Endura front end featuring exposed headlights, sharper body lines, and a revamped rear. Beneath the hood, a newly available 360-horsepower 455-cid V-8 delivered a hefty 500 lb-ft of torque at just 3100 rpm, perfectly suited to the more luxurious, feature-rich GTOs. Yet, the 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge was all about raw, untamed muscle car performance.

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The 455 engine wasn’t available until the final quarter of the model year, offered only through special order. Most GTO Judges came equipped with the 366-horsepower 400-cid Ram Air III engine, while a few received the 370-horsepower Ram Air IV as an extra-cost option.

©2007 Publications International, Ltd. The graphics and spoilers became more outrageous for '70, while the 455 V-8 was delayed in favor of the Ram Air 400s, which featured foam gaskets sealing the hood scoops.

Few muscle cars could match the bold visual impact of the 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge. With "The Judge" decals making a return, colorful stripes accentuating the body lines, and a towering 60-inch rear wing on the tail, this car made a striking statement.

Some GTO Judges also sported a matte-black fiberglass chin spoiler. Orbit-Orange remained a signature Judge color, paired with unique blue/orange/pink stripes. As Road Test magazine noted, "The Judge is not for people who are shy about being looked at."

Performance-wise, there was no compromise. Both 400-cid V-8s featured functional hood scoops, with airflow controlled by an underdash knob. Pontiac introduced a standard rear sway bar, enhanced handling with a stiffer front bar, softer springs, and revised shock valving. Variable-ratio power steering was also added to improve responsiveness.

Transmission options mirrored those of the regular GTO: a standard three-speed manual, with a four-speed and automatic available as upgrades. Four-speed Judges were equipped with a Hurst T-handle shifter. Interiors followed the standard GTO layout, with the exception of the unique Judge insignia.

Sales of the '70 Judge dropped along with the overall GTO numbers, and by mid-1971, waning demand led Pontiac to discontinue the special edition, having sold only 357 hardtops and 17 convertibles. At that point, the top GTO engine was a 335-horsepower 455 with an 8.4:1 compression ratio. By 1972, the GTO was once again a LeMans option, and by '74, it would be relegated to a trim package on the Ventura. The GTO was the original muscle car, and the Judge represented the GTO at its most flamboyant.

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The 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge

Specifications

Wheelbase, inches: 112.0

Weight, lbs: 3,700

Number built: 3,797

Base price: $3,604

Top Available Engine

Type: ohv V-8

Displacement, cid: 400

Fuel system: 1 x 4bbl.

Compression ratio: 10.75:1

Horsepower @ rpm: 370 @ 4600