1971 Pontiac GTO Judge Convertible
Since few people had ever seen one, the mythical 1971 GTO Judge convertible was thought to be a rumor. People would often talk about them but you never saw one anywhere. I remember the excitement when we thought we’d spotted one in a local shopper. But upon investigation we discovered 1971 Pontiac GTO Judge Convertibleit was a clone. It wasn’t until this one was discovered in the mid-1990s and restored by Pontiac expert and noted restorer Scott Tiemann at Supercar Specialties that Pontiac fans could believe.
Because of its provenance this 1971 GTO Judge Convertible is one of the best known muscle cars in the Pontiac world. Documentation includes a full PHS package, including a copy of the original invoice, window sticker and other related pieces. This car is a multiple award winner, having won Best of Show at the GTOAA Nationals and the Muscle Car Restorations and Performance magazine Award of Excellence. RK Motors Charlotte in North Carolina is currently offering this ’71 Judge Convertible for sale. Their reputation for selling high quality muscle cars of provenance like this one has boosted them to a preeminent position in today’s collector car market.
With John Delorean and Jim Wangers both gone from Pontiac 1970 sales 1971 Pontiac GTO 455 HO motorfigures for the GTO were at a low ebb. Pontiac fixed the big block deficit for 1971. They took the 455 and mated it with RA IV type performance parts. Every GTO Judge built in 1971 came with this incredible 1971 455 HO engine. It was the second fastest GTO ever tested. Only the revered Ram Air IV posted faster quarter mile acceleration during PMD testing.
Sales dropped again in 1971, with only 357 Judge hardtops and 17 Judge convertibles leaving the factory. Every one of them was a special order model. On Feb 11, 1971 the Judge option, Code 322 was cancelled, ensuring a very small production run for model year 1971. Now the ’71 Judge Convertible is among the rarest of all muscle cars.
Click here to read more about the history of the 1971 GTO Judge Convertible at the Cars On Line.com blog page. You’ll see more photos and have a chance to comment on the article.