The ’70 GTO was the first in the model’s lineage to offer an
optional rear sway bar. Though sway bars had been tested in GTOs in previous
years and had been available from the start in other GM A-Body cars such as the
Olds 442, they were never added to the GTO option sheet, citing diminished ride
quality and other negative handling issues. Those issues were finally corrected
to the satisfaction of Pontiac’s engineers, so a new 0.875-inch rear bar with
matching, boxed rear lower control arms made its debut on the model. The new
rear sway bar was used in conjunction with a heavier 1.125-inch front bar. The
result of the new handling package was the best-handling GTO up to that time.
Crook’s Grand Prix
is something of a chameleon, as the Eye of the Tiger hue changes color when
exposed to sunlight
A rare and now sought after option offered for a short time
in ’70 was the now-legendary Vacuum Operated Exhaust (V.O.E.) exhaust system.
It featured vacuum-controlled internal muffler baffles to alter the sound level
of the exhaust system. The system was engaged by a knob under the dash and was
not available with Ram Air, meaning that only the base engine and the 455 H.O.
were eligible for this option. Factory records indicate that only 233 cars
received this option before it was canceled.
A relaxing of tariffs between the U.S. and Canada meant that
there was no longer a need for the Beaumont sub-marque, so it was replaced with
American-spec Pontiacs, which began selling in Canada. As a result, Pontiac
GTOs gained another assembly plant, Oshawa, Ontario. Some Judges were built
there, though factory records show that none of them were Ram Air IV cars. If
your ’70 GTO has a 1in the seventh position of its VIN, it is a Canadian-built
car.
Crook’s Grand Prix
is something of a chameleon, as the Eye of the Tiger hue changes color when
exposed to sunlight
The Judge
The Judge returned for ’70, with updates to a complement the
new bodywork. The new color Orbit Orange replaced Carousel Red. New tri-color
stripes that augmented the eyebrow contour of the fenders were added to the
lineup early in the model year, though some cars came through with the ’69
design for striping. A new dual- pedestal, rear-deck wing bowed for ’70. Its
design created a bit of down force, as opposed to the lift that the ’69 designs
added to the mix. Polar White Judges could have the spoiler painted matte
black. Some ’70 Judges also received a chin spoiler, though it’s not clear why.
Like the GTO, Judge production dropped off dramatically,
with the year’s tally ending at 3,797 units, of which just 168 were
convertibles.
This ’70 Judge
print ad showed that even when pushed by upper management to refrain from
overly aggressive images, Pontiac still found a way to show its swagger. The ad
came off as a little on the arrogant side, but in this context, it really
worked. This was a car Pontiac was proud of and the company wanted everyone to
know it
Here Comes The ... GT-37
Pontiac was not in an enviable position in ’70, which is
somewhat ironic, since ’69 been its best-selling year. With the sales of muscle
cars dropping off and Pontiac having so much of its identity based on
performance, it dusted off the Tempest E.T. concept and released a new line of
insurance-friendly performance cars midway through the model year.
John Z. De Lorean’s successor, new Pontiac General Manager
F. James McDonald, had risen through the ranks on the manufacturing sides of
Pontiac and Chevrolet, and was previously Chevrolet’s director of
manufacturing. Seeing Pontiac’s recent reversal of fortune, he decided that
dropping base prices would stimulate sales. He added a heavily de contented
line of A-bodies, known as the T-37. It is from this line of cars that Pontiac
released its own Road Runner-beater, the GT-37.
