Pontiac’s wildly successful GTO entered its second generation in 1968, as did the A-body Tempest on which it was based. Wheelbase dropped from 115 to 112 inches, and overall length shrank nearly six inches to 201.2. The new hardtop wore a roofline more in keeping with the late-1960s trend toward fastbacks. Four horizontally placed headlights looked out from the unique dent-resistant Endura plastic nose, although an extra-cost option would conceal them behind doors. Taillights became part of the bumper assembly. For the first time, windshield wipers were hidden beneath the rear of the hood when not in use.

Musclecar sales were tailing off at the end of the 1960s. The verdict was that young buyers could not afford expensive musclecars, but they nevertheless wanted to own them. They just needed a cheaper price. Pontiac’s sales plan to increase profits was to sell options on the GTO. There’s no question the once bare-bones muscle GTO, originally debuting as an option on the cheaper Tempest LeMans in the spring of 1964, was gaining weight. The Judge was now an option on the 1969 GTO. It added a little over $300 to the base price, while including a fairly hot 366-horsepower Ram Air III engine as standard equipment.

This GTO is one of 1,986 built for 1970 with the 360-hp, 455-cid H.O. Ram Air V-8 engine; the transmission is a series 400 Turbo-Hydramatic connected to a 12-bolt Posi-traction rear differential. The exterior has benefited from one, correct Granada Gold repaint. Added to the car were front and rear spoilers, along with Judge side-stripes and Pontiac Rally II wheels with BFGoodrich T/A tires. The interior has been tailored with factory installed Sandalwood bucket seats and center console-shift for the transmission. Additional options include, air conditioning, hood-mounted tach, tinted glass, electric trunk release, remote drivers mirror, tilt steering with a woodgrain steering wheel and dash; power steering, brakes and windows.

The quality shown with this gold GTO is superb, from even body gaps and the highly detailed engine bay and interior. Overall workmanship on this low production car is very high quality and virtually flawless.