Written by independent automotive journalist Steve Statham
The GTO was Pontiac’s take on muscle car evolution. A beautiful black GTO Judge Ram Air III from 1970 (Lot #1280.1) will be starring at the 2020 Scottsdale Auction.
There are many reasons why General Motors ruled the American automotive market in the 1960s and 1970s, but one key factor was how the company could have four different divisions offering intermediate-sized muscle cars, with each offering distinct driving experiences and performance characteristics.
The 442 was the cream of the muscle car crop in 1971.
Of course, the hierarchy of brands at General Motors was meant to cover every market segment, but it was also envisioned the divisions would compete against each other to an extent, spurring innovation. Consequently, each division had its own engines, some of which were built to rev, some of which were torque monsters delivering grunt down low. The cars shared many components, but each division was given autonomy on suspension tuning. And the divisional styling studios each sought to outdo the others in the competition for eyeballs and magazine covers.
Nowhere is that more apparent than with the cars from the peak of the original muscle car era, like the three shown here, all offered with No Reserve at the 2020 Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Auction. Each offers a different vision, a different approach to attracting a new generation of performance buyer. The fact that all are desirable collectibles today indicates GM got it right in a big way.
Pontiac was the first of the GM divisions to successfully discover the muscle car formula when the division rolled out the GTO for 1964. In a few short years, the GTO’s combination of speed and style had shaped the market. By the beginning of the new decade, Pontiac had taken the GTO far beyond its original configuration.
For a glimpse at Pontiac’s take on muscle car evolution, consider Lot #1280.1, a black 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge convertible, with Ram Air III 400ci V8 and 4-speed transmission that will be offered with No Reserve in Scottsdale. The Judge was created to counter the low-buck Plymouth Road Runner, but once introduced, few buyers were content to order a bare-bones Judge. There were too many temptations on the options list.
The Ram Air III 400 V8 was rated at 366 horsepower from the factory. And the Ram Air term wasn’t just marketing-speak ‒ the scoops were functional, with a foam sealer incorporated into the air cleaner assembly that funneled air from the scoops to the engine.
This GTO still has its matching-numbers 400 V8 and is well-equipped with a Safe-T-Track rear end, tape stereo, remote mirror, heavy-duty radiator, console, power disc brakes and rear floor mats.
The interior of Lot #1280.1, the 1970 GTO Judge.
It was restored in the late 2000s with help from a donor car, and thus relied heavily on original and NOS components, plus interior parts from Legendary Auto Interiors. Although this GTO represents what was possible in 1970, very few buyers took the effort to order this combo. This car is one of only 168 GTO Judge Ram Air III convertibles built for 1970. It comes with Pontiac Historic Services paperwork and Canadian GM documentation.
Oldsmobile’s place in the GM hierarchy was to attract the professional class with a heavy dose of sophisticated technology, as evidenced by the 1962 turbocharged Jetfire and the 1966 front-wheel-drive Toronado. As such, Oldsmobile’s 442 was always a bit more upscale than its Chevrolet and Pontiac rivals. But even so, there was no shortage of muscle available for acceleration junkies.
Lot #1305.1, a black 1971 Oldsmobile 442 convertible, represents the cream of the muscle car crop for 1971, with a matching-numbers 455ci V8, functional air-induction hood, M20 4-speed transmission, 11-inch super duty clutch and posi-traction 3.42 rear gear.
It is one of 1,304 442 convertibles produced for 1971, and ends up in even more exclusive company when you run down the list of options: factory air; power steering, brakes and top; AM-FM 8-track; rear speakers; Super Stock wheels with Wide Ovals; bucket seats and console; tilt wheel, sport mirrors and sport steering wheel; tinted glass; hood, deck and side stripes; and more.
A matching-numbers 455ci V8 resides under the hood of Lot #1305.1, a 1971 Olds 442.
This 442 was given a show quality, no-expense spared, frame-off, rotisserie restoration, and has less than 1,000 miles since completion.
In the GM ladder of brands, Buick was positioned as the maker of dignified, civilized transportation for customers who didn’t have to pinch pennies. But even guys in suits like to go fast, which led to cars like Lot #1301.1, a No Reserve Saturn Yellow 1970 Buick GSX that will be offered at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale Auction in January.
During the 1960s, Buick’s entry in the muscle car wars was the Skylark GS400, a low-key offering as muscle cars went. The GSX shed that modesty. It was conceived as a muscle car that could be had with all the luxury items expected in a Buick, along with aggressive styling and performance that would leave it second to none.
Unique features of the GSX included the front spoiler and rear wing. They were not just for show, but were functional in preventing lift and delivering downforce. The GSX styling pulled no punches, with its black hood stripes, distinctive body side accent stripes and hood tach. Even the Saturn Yellow color, one of two choices, was exclusive to the GSX.
The Stage 1 455 engine option was the top choice for the GSX, and it was rated at 360 horsepower and 510 ft/lbs of torque. Compared with the standard 455, the Stage 1 engine had a higher compression ratio, larger valves in the heads, a more aggressive camshaft, and a performance-tuned Rochester four-barrel carburetor. It was only rated at 10 horsepower above the standard 455, but contemporary drag strip tests revealed that to be corporate sandbagging on GM’s part.
The GSX offered at Scottsdale is one of 118 1970 GSX 455 Stage 1 4-speeds built. It has its matching-numbers engine and 4-speed transmission, and its documentation is extensive, including a copy of every title since the car was sold new in Oregon, a copy of the Bill of Sale, GSX Historic Society paperwork outlining the car’s options and more.
Under the hood of Lot #1301.1: The Stage 1 455 engine option was the top choice for the GSX.
As you’d expect with a Buick, the car’s equipment list is lengthy. Comforts include tilt wheel, Sonomatic radio, power disc brakes, power steering and Rally steering wheel. It even has original non-dot Goodyear Polyglas tires. The consignor reports that “no expense was spared” during the restoration, which incorporated many NOS and restored original parts.
These three examples of General Motors muscle show how a single corporation (and an enterprising private owner) could approach the challenge of creating the ideal muscle car – and get there by taking four different paths. Each one will deliver smiles in its own way.
For up-to-date information on these and other vehicles headed to the 2020 Scottsdale Auction, click HERE.