COVID Casualty: 1971 Pontiac GTO Judge Tribute – Sold?

July 30, 2021 Update – while this “Classifind” expired recently, given the seller’s past history we suspect may not actually be sold yet.  For now, we’re labeling this ride “Sold?” However, we will keep an eye out for an updated listing. In the interim, please reach out either by email or call Rudy directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

June 26, 2021 Update – The Internet and GuysWithRides.com never forget. Fifteen months after we last saw this real GTO updated as Judge tribute, we came across a fresh listing with a mix of updated pictures but pretty much the same description.  The timing of the lapse corresponds with just about how long the state of New Jersey kept many COVID-related restrictions in place, so our hunch is that this seller decided to ride the sale of their car out until restrictions eased.

March 25, 2020 Update – One month after we first featured this GTO in late February 2020, the original Craigslist post expired with no replacement, leaving us to assume this Judge tribute sold until we come across a fresh listing for the car.

The 1971 Pontiac GTO Judge Tribute originally listed in February 2020 for $30,000 and now relisted in July 2021 for $31,000 in Cape May, New Jersey is an interesting clone as, unlike many other LeMans-based re-creations, this one started life as a real-deal GTO.  Reviewing the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool of a regular GTO confirms this private seller has his example priced about halfway between the #2 “Excellent” appraisal of $38,900 and the #3 “Good” estimate of $20,700.

We like this GTO as by all accounts it appears to be a nice driver-quality example that has the look and the sound of the Judge.  We love the “Day 2” period correct Cragar SS style wheels, but we would probably switch a stock steering wheel back into the car next winter. 

Excerpt from Hagerty Insurance:

“1971 Pontiac GTO sales fell off a cliff, as compression ratios were lowered to 8.2:1 in preparation for unleaded gasoline. Horsepower was now calculated as SAE net, instead of gross, and bragging rights plummeted. The base 300 bhp 400 cid V-8 engine was now rated at 255 net bhp. The 325 bhp 455 cid V-8 was rated at 260 net bhp and the top-rated 455 cid HO V-8 rated at 310 net bhp instead of 335. There were no high-performance Ram Air III and IV packages available, but all hood scoops were functional.

GTO production fell to 10,532 units, with 9,497 Hardtops and 661 Convertibles. The GTO Judge models were available for the last year, but only just, with 357 Hardtops and only 17 convertibles. The 1971 Pontiac GTO appeared similar to the 1970 model, but the grille was larger and lower with two scoops above it.”

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1971 GTO

A True GTO
Not a Lemans
Have all original paperwork
Cloned to be a Judge
400 Pontiac Engine
Have owned for about a year, I have not done any work to it.
Runs and Drives great.
Any questions please ask.“

Do you have a GTO Judge story you’d like to share?  Comment below and let us know!