Body Off Restored GTO Convertible 455 Ram Air V8 TH400 3 Speed Auto Factory A/C

Description

SUMMARY

Authentic GTO as documented by Pontiac Historic Services
Body-off rotisserie restoration completed in 2016
Date-correct 455 cubic inch Pontiac V8 / Professionally rebuilt in 2016
Date-correct Turbo Hydramatic 400 3-speed automatic transmission / Professionally rebuilt in 2016
Correct Atoll Blue paint / Correct Sandalwood top
Correct Sandalwood vinyl interior / Factory air conditioning / Modern audio
Sale includes: Restoration receipts / Restoration photos / Pontiac Historic Services paperwork
Freshly rebuilt 12-bolt rear axle / Safe-T-Track differential / 3.42 gears
F41 Sports Suspension / Factory power steering / Factory power front disc and rear drum brakes
1 of only 241 1970 Pontiac GTO convertibles equipped with a 455/3-speed automatic drivetrain

The beloved GTO is a direct result of what happens when a renegade car division that's ran by busted-knuckle gearheads defies corporate culture, 'borrows' Ferrari's most coveted name and stages an octane-fueled war against crosstown rivals. But, when the GTO officially kicked off the muscle car wars, it wasn't GM's impressive engineering prowess or Pontiac's hard-fought performance image that turned the car into a legend. It was the opportunity for any customer to walk in to the showroom, buy a small platform with a big engine, and, with the flip of a checkbook, deck it out with some major performance hardware. It's hard to think of any GTO that embodies that 'build-to-suit' mindset better than this professionally tweaked drop-top. With a massaged 455, a tough Turbo-Hydramatic 3-speed and head-turning aesthetics, it's the perfect cruiser for any muscle car enthusiast who wants to prowl the show field and burn up the streets!

BODYWORK/TRIM

While this real-deal GTO's legendary good looks originated in the mind of engineer John Z. DeLorean, it was the professionals at Tony's Muscle Cars of Sugarloaf, Pennsylvania that ensured its present appearance is top-notch in virtually every way. Circa 1996, an avid Pontiac enthusiast, friends with the car's current owner, purchased this Poncho as a fun restoration project that seemed to never come to fruition. That is, until a few years ago, when money and title officially changed hands and the car was promptly scheduled for a body-off, rotisserie rebuild that dressed patched floorpans in new fenders, factory spoilers, new quarters and a new ram air hood. That freshly aligned metal was bathed in correct Atoll Blue 2-stage and capped with correct Sandalwood canvas. And in the summer of 2016, this razor-sharp classic debuted as a first class head turner that, since its rollout, has logged only 10 test miles!

By 1970, Pontiac had pretty much perfected its revolutionary performance car both mechanically and aesthetically. At the front of this goat's body, a highly renowned Endura bumper hangs chrome-trimmed 'kidney' grilles and a pristine "G T O" script between chrome-trimmed headlights, ornate parking lamps and a small chin spoiler. Behind those grilles, a Formula-style bonnet aims the brand's signature hood tach at hidden windshield wipers, like-new glass and excellent stainless trim. At the sides of that tach, expressive 'coke bottle' fenders are highlighted by dent-free rocker trim, bright white call-outs, mirrored door handles and a factory-correct mirror. And at the back of that trim, a thick chrome bumper hangs simple taillights between a tall spoiler, another white call-out and quad-outlet exhaust tips.

ENGINE

Peek under the car's functional hood and you'll find a 455 cubic inch, date-correct V8 that was completely rebuilt in November of 2015 by the pros at Steber's Mini-Bore of Hazle Township, Pennsylvania. At the top of that Turquoise mill, a familiar Quadrajet 4-barrel bridges the gap between stainless fuel lines and a correct, cast iron intake. That air/fuel mixture floods date-correct '64' heads, which hide hardened valve seats, .030 over pistons and quality hydraulic lifters under polished rocker covers. Compression is sparked by a familiar points distributor, which utilizes a factory-spec hydraulic cam to sequence fire through fresh Packard TV R Suppression cables. Beneath those cables, restored exhaust manifolds make quick work of spent gases. At the front of those tubes, old school pulleys spin a rebuilt alternator and factory Frigidaire air compressor over factory power steering. And a fresh Delco Moraine brake booster and factory-spec radiator keep the fluids flowing.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Logging few miles since the car's restoration, this goat's spotless undercarriage is completely free of significant issues and major defects. The stout powertrain commands a date-correct Turbo Hydramatic 400 3-speed that was professionally rebuilt in April of 2016 by Penny's Transmission of Hazle Township, Pennsylvania. That proven gearbox grinds power to a rebuilt GM 12-bolt, which spins a new Safe-T-Track differential around friendly, 3.42 gears. That drivetrain rides a familiar F41 Sports Suspension that's been correctly restored all the way down to its reproduction spiral shocks. Stops come courtesy of correct power front disc and rear drum brakes. A fresh, true-dual exhaust system weaves throaty turbo mufflers between the aforementioned manifolds and quad-outlet tips. And a quartet of Pontiac Rally II wheels spins F70-14 Firestone Wide Oval Super Sports around polished trim rings and bold "PMD" center caps.

INTERIOR

Swing the doors and you'll find a correct Sandalwood interior that feels like the perfect place to spend a warm summer evening. Front and center, a trio of bench and bucket seats feature fresh vinyl covers. The 455's vitals are displayed by a deluxe Rally Gauge Cluster, which complements Harrison factory air conditioning and modern, MP3-compatible audio. Like-new carpet anchors a chrome shifter inside a wood-trimmed console. At the sides of the car, pliable door panels mix crank windows with manual locks. In front of the driver, a color-keyed steering wheel highlights a satin arrowhead. And behind the passengers, a restored and matted trunk anchors a correct jack and full-size spare tire beneath correct decklid decals.

OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION

Restoration photos
Restoration receipts
Component literature
Pontiac Historic Services paperwork

Freshly restored and ready to roll, this iconic GTO is an ideal blend of brutal performance and timeless style. The car is an absolute pleasure to drive, and with its killer looks, it'll turn heads seven days a week. Shopping for some high quality muscle that can be enjoyed for years to come? Here's your next classic!