Description
Please see my listing for my absolutely stunning, one off, and very famous 1970 Pontiac GTO.
I will write a detailed spec / story of the car below.
- details above
Video I uploaded below, sorry it's not the best just wanted to give an idea of the condition, and how good it sounds
Please also note I have 1000s of photos of this car, including photos of each magazine page about it (at least 35) please WhatsApp me on the details below so I can send as many as you want to see and can talk further about the car.
I genuinely do not want to sell this car, in my mind it was a keeper and enjoy her going up in value every year, however, moving house, and unfortunately been in debt to the Mother in law has forced my hand. I only request that whoever buys it please let me know before you sell it. Also the person who buys the car is important to me, I want to sell it to an absolute enthusiast who will show it and cherish it.
This car is well known at the shows, and it literally turns heads as people hear it coming. Its also very well known at the Coleshill Breakfast meet, and Caffeine and the machine (All over Instagram)
So it’s a 1970 numbers matching Pontiac GTO 400ci (6. 6 Litres)
Just passed 8k on the odometer (Its done 8k since 1993 rotisserie restoration)
So the story:
In 1992 Nigel Grimshaw who was editor of street machine magazine went to the USA and purchased this GTO and drove it 3000 miles from West to East coast, his plan was to import it to the UK for a restoration and try and make a modern muscle car that was drivable. It was funded by Philishave tracer who would then use the car for an advert for their electronic razor.
Car was restored within an inch of its life.
The vinyl top was removed, car was de-badged and de-trimmed, painted in pacific blue, engine rebuilt with Lunati cams, lifters, and pushrods, TRW pistons and rings, and the TH400 gearbox was rebuilt, holeshoot 2400rpm converter. It had huge HR racing 1. 375 inch front anti roll bar, and 1. 25 inch rear one. All metal work was restored, and all suspension polybushed.
A custom six point roll cage was also fitted!!
One off interior with custom gauge cluster (you will never see another one)
The car was used for the advert, and was used as the subscription T-Shirt for street machine in 1994
The GTO has been through 3 more owners since then, each owner documented in street machine magazine with 4-6 page articles on it in 1999, and 2017. My intention was to get it back on street machine, however, COVID meant that they stopped publishing.
Owner before me (Martin) removed the engine for a re-paint, replaced the core plugs, put on a new water, and fuel pump, spark plug wire set, and new motor mounts.
He also took the head off and fitted new valve guides and an additional transmission cooler was fitted. Diff is a 323:1 gearing
The GTO also has an amazing Hurst dual gate shifter.
I have owned it for 2 years as I said I do not want to sell her, however, needs must.
I have added to the car and spent lots on it (invoices for everything)
I had the roof painted £2760. 00 yeah I know its lots but you could never tell it’s been done
3 new tyres (BFG Goodrich) £420. 00 (300 miles on them)
Hurst T-Handle shifter knob $61. 00
Service sundries and new interior mats £176. 00
K&N air filter £61. 00
Correct oil £76. 00 (I serviced it at 7, 699 miles)
American racing torque thrusts alloys £872. 00
New Corbeau racing seats including custom sub frames imported from USA £1068. 00
Replaced oil pressure gauge £94. 49
Luke race harnesses £226. 00
I also painted the headers black so removed them from the car and fitted new gaskets on return to the car
The only thing I did not get chance to finish was to get the rear seat black vinyl covered to match the front seats.
I also have a file of all paperwork dating right back to the 1970s
I also managed to find and purchase 2 copies of every street machine magazine the car features in (1 for shows, 1 to keep safe)
Quick run down of magazines
April 1992: 8 pages on road trip and purchase of the car
April 1994: Front cover , and 6 page spread on the philishave restoration, rear cover advertising for philishave So car is on front and rear of the magazine
Jan 1995: T-Shirt subscription page
May 1999: 4 page article on car now, and owner
August 2017: front cover and 5 pages on car now, and owner
It has been in 4 other magazines with special articles about restoration, or pics at car shows.
Current condition:
Is excellent. There is no rust at all, underneath is stunning, interior is good, couple of bits of tape in the rear.
Wheels brand new, tyres brand new, engine is faultless , drives really well, however, please remember it is 51 years old they don’t drive like modern cars. Carpets are good, boot is very clean.
It has never been driven in the rain, I pay to store this car in a dry indoor storage unit so it literally does not see any wet stuff, and any viewings or test drives will have to be on a dry day!
Paint work is really nice, I 2 staged polished it, took about 60 hours.
I have the original Ponitac ralle wheels which you won’t find anywhere. They can go with the car at the right price. Also have the original seats I removed, and the steering wheel as I purchased a new one which looks better.
Running costs are low
Insurance £207. 00 insured at 45k
Tax exempt
Fuel (Don’t ask)
This is only going up in value. 2 months ago a 1970 GTO numbers matching without all this heritage and with 88k on it sold at £42k
Classics are a great investment especially at the moment
Thanks for reading, please let me know if you have any questions.
Bank transfer and collection is Solihull.
