1971 1/2 GT-37 - "Poor Man's GTO"
 

Hello,

Long story short, after dumping over $23,000 into this car, I am still not satisfied with it. Oddly enough, I've always enjoyed newer cars like an AMG or a GT-R. I know that's crazy talk around here, so I'll cut to the chase.

This car was sold new at Carbtree Buick-Pontiac to "Theona Mcqueen" of Miami Florida on 6/24/71. She purchased the car for $4205.17, and traded in her 65 Ford for $855. The car was built at the Lakewood Plant in Atlanta Georgia, ordered as a 350/TH350 with AC and a 2:78, 10 bolt rear end. The car stayed down South until an older man in my area purchased it in 2004. After some personal issues, the car began sitting outside.

Fast forward to 4-1-13, I purchased this car just down the road from my shop after seeing it nested between two homes for quite some time. After having loads of fun in my dads 71 trans am, 72 formula, and 75 trans am, I was convinced that I needed some Pontiac power in my life.

After driving the car for a while, I pulled out the original 350 2 barrel, fogged the cylinders, and put it all away in our barn. I also tucked away the TH350, the 10 bolt rear end, and the other parts that would be needed to return the car to factory spec one day if I desired to go that route. Then I had the following built:

MOTOR:
-1973 455, decked and bored .030 over. "N" crank, ARP main studs, factory rods. Bottom end was balanced. KB dished pistons, windage tray, Comp cam .507/.510, 6X-8 heads ported/flowed to RAIV specs. Moroso 7qt deep sump oil pan; completely fresh motor with all new bearings, oil galley plugs, freezeplugs, etc. Oversized Ram Air Restorations manifolds with ceramic coating, as well as billet/anodized V-pulleys that appear stock. It also has a pypes 2.5" stainless exhaust system to the correct dual tips (like a GTO) in the rear.

TRANS:
-TH400 rebuilt with a street/strip comp shift kit
-New driveshaft from Driveline specialists (DNR)

REAR END:
-F85 12 bolt w/ 10 bolt ring gear. Bolt-in axles with a new Eaton 3:42 Posi.
-Boxed/tubular trailing arms to strengthen the rear end.

SUSPENSION:
-Disc brake swap.
-All new front end rebuild (ball joints, inner/outer tie rods, etc)
-Polygraphite bushings front and rear from PST
-Powdercoated upper/lower control arms
-Oversized 1.25" sway bars front and rear from Ram Air Restorations.

INTERIOR:
-New windshield
-New carpet kit (correct color)
-Package tray replaced
-Rally Gauge completely overhauled by Pete Sergio
-All new, factory-correct speakers
-VERY rare and rebuilt AC Delco "RED DOT" stereo (selling for over $600 alone on eBay).
-Dash capped and vinyl dyed to match the rest of the interior

This car really only needs the quarter panels replaced and some new paint. The rest of the car (floorpans, rockers, etc) are extremely clean, never repaired, and show no signs of rust. The truck floor is also solid and does not need to be replaced. I added a real GTO spoiler from my dad's collection, and I have the original 14" KU rims. The car is currently sitting on Rally II 15x6's that I restored.

The car is ready to turn-key ready to go anywhere. I have all the documentation for the build, as well as all of the factory literature including the original sales information and build sheet. The car's current setup made 394 hp and 529 ft lbs of torque on a Mustang Dyno.

Given the rarity and current condition of the car, I'm looking for $16,000 OBO. Mechanically, this car is like brand new. All that's really needed is body work if someone desires. Feel free to contact me any time at 616-405-01four7. NO TRADES. I have TONS of pictures and videos on my phone that can be easily sent!

Sent you a PM.

Very cool car with a fantastic look! Good luck with the sale.

Fixed the pic for you.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...7&d=1526987153

Thank you. I forgot to mention that it also has a 10" Continental converter known as the "Jim Hand" special. I've thrown money at this thing for the last few years, and it has a file folder worth of documentation and receipts!

Did you ever get a chance to run it at the track.

No, this car was never on any tracks.

The latest built 71 1/2 GT-37 I've ever run across, and in the GT-37 Survey, was a near identically equiiped 350 AT AC Fremont car. Basically, the same color combo, White/blue stripes 231 blue interior. Just so rusty in the 1/4's, at the time, just had to meet my Milwaukee sawsall :( Did manage to save a lot of tough to find parts off it, so others could live on.

Good luck with sale, for interested buyers, car is still located in the SE part of the country?

Thanks... it's a really fun car, but I'm hoping to pass it onto someone who will love it more than I do. I'm located near Grand Rapids, Michigan (Western MI).

I was hoping to see more enthusiasm and interest in this car. Feel free to shoot me offers; all reasonable numbers will be considered!

pm sent

Part of me thinks that would be a great car to drive as is but the color combo is so awesome that it would be a knockout with the body and paint finished.
Good luck with the sale.

Bump

Bump

Please refrain from contacting me unless you are serious about purchasing the car. I've had way too many people that call me just to seemingly talk on the phone for over an hour when they have no means or desire to purchase the car. Thanks in advance!

bump & GLWS!

That's a great looking car!

Shoot me offers, this car needs a new home!

Might consider parting this.-- as in returning some of the factory items/removing upgrades.

Thoughts???

Put it up on eBay and Racing Junk, Colin. You need a wider audience as this is the worst place to sell a car in my opinion.
Your write up is good but your pictures do not lead anyone to the car.
Don’t part it, you will be depressed at what it would take to sell the stuff, pennies on the dollar.

Ponchjoe is right , try some of the pontiac facebook sites . Cool car , I would be interested but have a couple projects already . There are some muscle car for sale sites also . Good luck with your sale

I, for one, would hate to see it parted. Love to have it myself but I hardly do anything with the ones I already have...I'd just hate to see it parted all the same.