At some point after George’s ownership, the rare ragtop (1
of only 168 Judge convertibles built in ’70) received a quickie respray in a
mid-’80s shade of neon teal green and the factory code-250 Blue interior was
dyed black. The original points distributor was manifolds and air pan were replaced
by tube headers and an aftermarket chrome air cleaner. The Judge was otherwise
intact, and more importantly, was still motivated by the original and very
complete numbers matching drive train.
This Judge’s
stripes might raise a few eyebrows, but car owner Tom Stut man says they are
his favorite feature of this GTO—they make him smile
The delectable drop top was transported from Baltimore to
Atlanta, and confined to its chambers alongside its other GTO brethren until it
was dispatched to Barnes Classic Restorations in Piedmont, South Carolina, for
a top-shelf restoration. Lee and Donna Barnes don’t necessarily specialize in
any specific make and model, but they have an affinity for GTOs and have earned
a reputation for turning out some of the sharpest A-bodies in the Southeast.
Lee and his staff disassembled this Judge, and media
blasting revealed bare sheet metal solid enough that no major panels required
replacement. The fact that this Judge’s original owner was able to repair it
with donor parts from an equally new ’70 GTO could be considered a happy
accident since the date codes on the fenders are consistent with the build
Bucket seats were standard in all ’70 GTOs, but a T-handle shifter was part of
The Judge package. Console (code 494) and four-speed manual (code 354) were
optional in both models. Also visible are: Ram Air control, tilt wheel,
pushbutton radio, and color-keyed seatbelts. Dates stamped elsewhere on The
Judge.
Spies Hecker products were used throughout the process, with
extensive block-sanding between every two coats of primer. Lee estimates over
700 hours were spent straightening and aligning the body panels.
Once the panels were deemed laser-straight, three coats of
color were applied, followed by three coats of clear. A thorough block sanding
with 600-grit paper knocked down any orange peel prior to application of the
final three coats of clear. Final wet-sanding was completed by graduating from
1,200- to 3,000-grit paper, followed by a final machine polish with 3M
products.
To complement the mirror-like deep-blue finish, all of the
exterior stainless trim was sent to Auto molding USA in Clarkesville, Georgia,
for straightening and polishing, and the chrome-plating chores were handled by
AIH in Dubuque, Iowa. Exterior eyebrow graphics and decals sourced from
Stencils & Stripes add the crowning touch to The Judge’s flamboyant
persona.
The pedestal
airfoil was similar, but not identical, to one used by Oldsmobile. The design
was an inverted airplane wing, in essence, which provided rear down force at
highway speeds.
This officer of the court’s Code-250 Blue Comfort Weave was
replaced with a reproduction covers from Legendary Auto Interiors. Just Dashes
recovered the pad, which is filled with gauges restored by Instrument
Specialties. Overhead, a correct Code 1 White convertible top sourced from
Electron Top keeps the weather out. Lee credits Vick Calvert of Carolina Trim
for all of the top, interior trim, and upholstery installation. Rounding out
the interior options are AM/FM radio, deluxe seatbelts, tilt wheel, console and
floor mats.
The WS-code Ram Air III 400 was sent to Carolina Machine in
John stone, South Carolina, for a rebuild to stock specs. Once freshened,
buttoned up, and fit with a Gardner reproduction exhaust system, it posted net
355 hp on the chassis dyno, which, accounting for parasitic losses, is a bit
stronger than the factory’s gross 366hp rating might suggest.
Moving from the bell housing rearward, a Hurst-shifted M21
gearbox sends power aft to the 3.90 Safe-T-Track axle. Correctly detailed
spiral shocks keep axle motion in check, while replacement springs suspend The
Judge as Pontiac intended. It meets the pavement via reproduction G70x14 Wide
Oval tires on Pontiac Rally IIs.
Wide Oval wheel
After the restoration, the Stutz man’s Judge ruled at the
2013 POCI/GTOAA Co Vention, scoring 673 points out of a possible 700 against
GTOAA’s judging standard and 396 out of 400 possible in POCI scoring.
Tom says it’s destined to remain strictly a show vehicle for
the time being, but the Stutz man family has several cool Pontiacs to choose
from on cruise night, so it’s not challenging to keep wear and tear to a
minimum on the ultra-rare restored cars.
This ’70 Judge convertible remains special to Tom: “It’s the
second Judge that I had purchased and the first four speed in my collection,”
he says. Asked what he likes best The pedestal airfoil was similar, but not
identical, to one used by Oldsmobile. The design was an inverted airplane wing,
in essence, which provided rear down force at highway speeds. about it, he
says, “The Judge stripes just make me smile!”
Finding the right GTO Judge convertible is challenging
enough. Finding a four speed GTO Judge convertible in a desirable color combo
with the original drive train that had collision damage repaired with sheet metal
from a second brand-new GTO is fate.
