1971 Pontiac GTO

Hard Top Coupe

455

Automatic

242371P143017

Clear

Gasoline

This auction features a nice car as is and has a great deal of potential to make the next owner some extra money with some effort. This car does not have the correct engine (but a 1973 Firebird 455 V-8 is a suitable upgrade!), but the transmission and differential are the numbers matching units. and much of the car is still original equipment. It runs great and looks nice as is but also has some great potential to be refurbished further which would only enhance the value of this classic piece of American Muscle. As you read through the write up you will see everything has either been rebuilt or replaced mechanically on the car. This is a great driver and ready to go as it sits. Now I should qualify that usually "driver" quality on eBay usually means piece of crap. Let's be clear this is a really nice car, but by no means a trailer queen either, hence a great car to drive, and will show well at most local car shows and cruise ins. The car collects lots of attention whether it's cruising down the street or parked. Finish -- Grade C+: Bright red paint is 13-15 year old acrylic enamel paint job. Paint was very through and there are no signs of the original gold metallic paint. There are some minor scratches chips through out the car; however shine/luster is very good and looks as good in person as it does in the pictures. There is some minor rust bubbling on the passenger side in front corner and driver's door along the bottom edge. There is some rust spots on the right rear corner of the car the hood has a couple little spots on it. Front Endura bumper paint is cracking and most likely not painted with the correct flex paint. Paint looks good at 10 foot. Very good driver quality and shows pretty well. Body -- Grade C+: Car is all original factory sheet metal and was originally Ziebart rust protected (sticker still in window). The biggest concern is the hood. It essentially rusts free other then some mild surface rust spots, but some one pulled on it hard when closing and tweaked the hood at the hinges and the hinges are pretty loose and will need replacement. (I will include a new set of replacement hinges as well) This type of hood damage is pretty common on this model and easily fixed. Front sheet metal is clean and appears free of repair and rust. Doors are clean with some minor rust on the bottoms. Floor boards are clean and free of rust. Rear quarter look great with some bubbling behind the driver’s wheel opening. The right rear quarter corner also has some spots on it as well. The trunk floor has some rust through on the right side, probably just needs a partial floor, as the passenger side and center are solid. Trim Code info: ST 71 24237 PON097620 BDY TR 269 53 53 PNT 03D It breaks down as follows: 71 = 1971 2 = Pontiac 42 = GTO 37 = 2 door hardtop PON = Pontiac 097620 = seq. # TR 269 = Black 53 = upper & lower body color Quezal Gold 03D = build date March 4th week VIN Reads 242371P143017 2 = Pontiac 42 = GTO/Judge 37 = 2 door Hardtop 1 = 1971 model year P = Pontiac MI 1 = 8 cylinder less then 100,000 units 43017 = sequential number I have a the original PHS documents as well supporting the car is a true GTO and a clear Michigan title. Frame -- Grade A: Is straight and free of any rust or scale, no signs of any metal repair Bumpers - Grade B-: Front Endura Bumper is straight and free of damage however the paint is starting to check. Rear is original, straight and free of dents but some light patina has started. Bright work -- Grade B: All original stainless is present and is in great shape requiring only light buffing to restore. Door handles are pitted and will need replacing, but function well. Glass Grade B+: Glass is all original A01 Soft Ray Glass with correct date codes. Front and rear windshields are free of chips or cracks and scratches. Rear window is the original C50 option code defroster unit and is functioning. Side windows are also free of chips, but have some light scratches. All weather-stripping and window "fuzzies" are in very good shape and appear to have been replaced at the time of repaint. Interior A-: Interior is nearly all original and looks awesome. New items include: carpet, floor mats (reproduction "Pontiac Mats") and reproduction factory dash tachometer (not originally equipped from the factory with this option. Vinyl seats are all original and in very good condition. Driver’s seat is equipped with the A46 power adjustable seat. Unit works like new. Other options include NK3 Formula Steering wheel, which is in good shape some typical wear on the rubber rim/grip, (driver quality) M33 tilt steering wheel which is tight and works as designed, and D55 Floor Shift console which is in great shape with no cracks. Dash pad looks great and but there are some fine cracks starting on the driver's front corner, honestly I almost missed them they are so light. Dash features "idiot lights" with an aftermarket/reproduction factory style in-dash tachometer. Lenses on gauge pods are clear and clean, fuel gauge works. All dash trim is original including engine turned metal trim. I replaced the headlight switch and the cigarette lighter is intact but untested. Rear Defroster works as designed. Missing is the original Stereo 8-track tape player, however all the original wiring is intact and uncut so this optional player and radio could found and reinstalled with little effort. I did install Auto-Meter temperature and oil pressure gauges where the tape player was located with no modifications to the console. Radio is brand new Custom Autosound AM/FM with optional MP3 auxiliary plug in. Front kick panels have Kenwood dual cone 6” round front speakers (in the car when I bought it, sound great and clean install.) and the rear features Kenwood 6 X 9 dual cone speakers in the rear and have nice clean sound quality. Radio has excellent sound quality, professional installation. All weather-striping is new with new window "fuzzies" installed. Wheels Grade A: Original Pontiac style 14 X 7 Rally II steel rims that have been media blasted and powder coated in original factory colors with factory PMD center caps black dot Pontiac lug nuts, and no trim rings. Car originally car had steel wheels with P02 custom wheels covers, but are not with the car. Tires Grade A: Brand New BF Goodrich Radial T/A white letter tires. Car features P225/70R14 size tire in the rear and P215/70R14 size tire in the front. Suspension Grade A: Features factory N41 Power steering with variable ratio. Front and rear springs are Moog factory replacements, brand new Monroe gas shocks, new power steering pump and hoses, and factory front and rear stabilizer bars with new bushings. Steering components are all fresh and recently restored or replaced. Vehicle tracks straight, with a firm but comfortable ride. Undercarriage has been cleaned and detailed, very nice for local shows. Exhaust Grade B+ : Dual exhaust, Factory Cast Iron manifolds (mid 70's HP Firebird factory units, not early Ram Air), solid 2 inch pipes (not mandrel bent), into Flowmaster chambered mufflers, factory style splitter exhaust tips. No leaks......but it's a little loud, I guess I'm too old right! Rear-end Grade OK: Factory G80 Safe-T-Track (posi-traction) 10 bolt rear-end stamped XF code 3.23:1 rear axle ratio, Differential Housing part number 9799100. Factory correct, original rear differential option. (Numbers matching) Unit is free of leaks, no noises or clunks, and limited slip function operates as designed. Ignition Grade A: Stock appearing factory style distributor updated with Pertronix electronic module, new Pertronix coil, and matching Pertronix black wires with new AC spark plugs. Air Conditioning/Heater Grade D-: Originally equipped with C60 Air Conditioning option. AC compressor, hoses, and condenser where missing from car when purchased. All in dash components are present, vacuum diverters work as designed, fan is operational and heater blows warm. Transmission Grade OK: Original numbers matching 400 THM automatic transmission with PX stamp with 1P143017 sequential number stamped in case. Transmission is free of any leaks. I don’t know anything about the transmission internals but it appears to have been rebuilt. It has an aftermarket adjustable vacuum modulator, and the torque converter appears to have been replaced with an aftermarket street performance converter (B & M?????). Trans fluid is clean, and free of any burned smell. Shifts crisp but not to harsh. I replaced the cooling lines with correct reproduction lines. Features original steal vacuum modulator line. Brakes Grade A: Factory equipped with JL2 Power Front Disc brakes. Brakes are fully serviced with new front steel brake lines and rubber lines to calipers. New pads, disc were turned, bearings cleaned & greased. Rear brakes are drum style with new pads, springs and wheel cylinders. New brake lines on the rear differential, all other lines original and complete without any signs of rust. New cad plated vacuum power booster and new master cylinder and brake lines. Brakes perform to factory specifications. Fresh installation. Engine Grade A: Original 400 was missing when I purchased the car. Currently the engine compartment holds a 1973 Pontiac 455 with 4BBL from a Firebird and appears to be complete assembly (XL engine code, date code B283, cast #485428, 4X heads, date code B273 1H with original Quadrajet pt # 7043262) Engine is clean and show ready detailed. Installation is clean and professional a stock appearance. Engine is equipped with brand new factory chrome valve covers, Edelbrock Performer intake. Engine was professionally rebuilt when owned by a previous owner but came with no receipts. I did go through it and replace all the gaskets, installed a Summit Racing #2802 camshaft and Lifters ( lift is 465 intake, and 488 exhaust, duration @ .50 is 224 intake and 234 exhaust LSA is 109 intake and 119 exhaust) a Melling Ram IV oil pump/pick-up and drive and painterd it the correct era paint. The motor is clean inside (valve covers, oil pan and intake removed for inspection) and is free of any noises or knocks, and there is no smoke upon start-up cold or warm, and is free of any oil or coolant leaks, supporting the claim of a recent/fresh rebuild. Engine has a slight lopey idle but pulls 25 inches of vacuum, the carburetor has been modified and freshly rebuilt with parts from Cliff's HP and dialed in to the engine modification combination and pulls smooth right off idle without hesitation through acceleration. Engine is equipped with functioning factory style electric choke that works as designed by the factory. Engine pulls hard under acceleration, no black smoke, and carburetor responds better then fuel injection. Engine features new starter, alternator, battery, radiator, hoses, belts and fuel pump plus fresh tune-up with cap, rotor, wires, and plugs. Brackets are all factory and period correct and installation is professional. Car also features a brand new four row radiator (not a re-core), with 7 bladed fan with new thermostatic factory style clutch. Oil pressure holds a steady 60 lbs of pressure when warm (30 at idle), and engine stays consistent at 170-180 degrees even in stop and go traffic on hot summer days. Summary: This car is “10 footer” that looks great driving down the road, and frankly, even up close, it is very presentable for most local car shows or cruises. It is a very nice car to drive with smooth acceleration, and clean comfortable cabin. The performance idle through the chambered mufflers makes it a hit at the cruise in or at the stop light. The car has the numbers matching Drivetrain is a real plus, and while the original 400 block is missing the 455 V-8 is a desirable upgraded and greatly improves the overall driving experience of the car. Ride is firm, but comfortable for a long drive. Operation is very reliable and without issue and the engine pulls hard off idle up to 5000 rpm. It is a lot of fun to kick down at a roll as the car sets you back in the seat. The suspension launches straight with no wheel hop when mat it and spins the tires without brake torquing. The car as is would make a great reliable, daily driver that would be a blast to drive everyday to work. It is really a fun car to drive with its throaty exhaust and excellent power. This car offers a lot of potential with some light paint and body work will only improve the value of this car. The paint is very presentable as is but it should be noted a full repaint would really finish this restoration off nice, however the car draws quite a crowd as is and easily could be driven without shame. It's a perfect car for someone who has painting skills, but if you had to wait a year to save up for paint there is no shame in driving as is, it looks great! If you are a paint guy you could easily drive and enjoy this car now and then come winter repaint it yourself and be ready for the next season or turn it over and make some money. I neede to get this car up for sale and typically I sell my cars looking nicer. So with the ad up if time allows I am going to massage the body and fix the hood and very minor rust issues including the trunk. This said be warned the price well go up if that is the case. Other then that, this car needs nothing else replaced and is road ready for cruising. Mechanically it has been totally gone through and all maintenance items (battery, alternator, brakes, clutch, radiator, etc) are new and replaced! You can drive this car literally anywhere without issue. So if doing a full restoration or building a bad news street terror is outside your skills level but your looking a for a great musclecar this the car for you. When you consider the full restoration numbers matching cars run $30K plus and most of the cars below $13K, well let’s just say are in need of a lot of work. Questions.....call me at 231-935-3840 ask for Reggie.