Classic recollections: 1970 Pontiac GTO
After returning home from his tour of duty in Vietnam, war veteran Vic Alesi was more than ready to trade in his machines of firepower for one packing plenty of horsepower.
What caught his eye was the latest muscled offering from Pontiac.
“When we got back to Fort Campbell, some Army buds went out and bought themselves new sports cars. There was a Chevelle SS, a Coronet 440 and a GTO. After taking a turn driving each, the Goat was the only one I fell in love with,” said the infatuated Bartlett resident.
Hopelessly head over heels, he raced down to the local dealership to pick up a 1968 model, which only intensified his passion. Over the years, his garage has been home to a succession of the irresistible V-8 brutes. That first model was swapped for a cherry-red '69 convertible. A Verdoro Green '69 hardtop soon joined it. Later, both were swapped out for a black '70 Ram Air IV. That was exchanged for a Cardinal Red '70 Judge ragtop, which recently hit the road to make room for his sixth and final installment.
“After owning all those other GTOs, I knew this one would be the ultimate,” Alesi said.
The search for his pinnacle of a Pontiac led him in 2002 to a Doylestown, Penn., shop, Custom Classics GTO. There he found a primered, engineless '70 convertible undergoing the restoration process. With arrow straight bodywork and full of potential, Alesi knew this would be the perfect start in creating his Judge dream car.
The first order of business was matching an original paint color. Vic settled on Orbit Orange — a radiant shade General Motors only offered in this particular model line. “It completely grabs your attention and can be seen blocks away!”
To counter the brilliant hue and corresponding graphics, the interior was reupholstered in meaning-business black leather. The Parts Place Inc. in Elburn was called in to mount the bristling Ram Air IV powerplant.
Period advertising pegged output at a conservative 370 horsepower, but truth be told, this V-8's figures sail well past the 400 mark. Underrating specs was a manufacturers' attempt to avoid the insurance companies' heavy fees for owners of fuel-sucking performance bruisers.
Alesi had a Muncie four-speed transmission bolted in while the factory hood-mounted tach ensures this GTO-devotee's shifts are always spot on.
With his four-wheeled fantasy complete, Alesi does nothing but enjoy getting behind the wheel and heading for open roadways.
“Driving this car is such a great deal of fun. It's powerfully fast, handles and looks great and you can chirp the tires through all four gears. This sucker just screams!”
But with Alesi's wide Pontiac palate background, does this orange orbital rocket maintain its elevated position as top dog? The gavel has certainly been dropped on a ruling.
“I wanted it to be perfect and that's exactly how it turned out. Of all the GTOs I've owned, this Judge is the greatest.”