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#1
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71 GTO Hardtop. Finally...
Well Gents,
After searching off and on for a couple of years now, I finally found the 71 GTO Hardtop I've been wanting. Another 09A build (like my 71 GTO Convertible project), and only about 300 VIN's apart. While both bodies were built in the same week, they were both caught in limbo during the Sept-Nov 1970 UAW strike. Eventually however, both shipped from the Pontiac plant on exactly the same date in early December. That's serendipity to me. Quick breakdown on her: Base 400/400 column shift car, Quezal Gold, White Vinyl, and Jade Green interior. Certainly not a color combo high on most guys' lists, but I think she's absolutely beautiful! She's pure 1971 with that look. Options include A/C, PS, PDB, Soft Ray windshield, sport mirrors, Rally II's, trunk light, and not much else. She's the right base from which to build my perfect daily driver. The original block is long gone, and while the current NOM 400 runs fine, I have a date correct 455 block and set of #66 heads I'll eventually build and install. Also, having fallen in luv with daily driving an M-13 (3 speed) in my 72 LeMans GT the last 6 years, I searched for and found a spare M-13 that will be installed in this girl along the way too. Other mechanicals will be tended to as needed, but the important thing is that the body work is already in what I call decent "driver" quality condition. It should be many years before I have to think about paint/body again. And though she looks beautiful in the pics and from a few feet away, she's not a show car and that's exactly what I was after. I simply wanted a good looking driver that I'm not afraid to drive regularly. I found the car out in Illinois, so as I am want to do, I flew out to pick her up and drove her back here to AZ. The only casualties of the trip were one bad coil, one bad fuel pump, and a lost wheel center cap. To me, that's not too bad for a 2 day/2 night, 7 state, 1700 mile adventure in an unknown car. I bought her to drive, and that's just what I did and what I intend to keep doing. I've attached a couple pictures of this great trip last week. Along the way, I met up with my brother (and my old 74 Bonne) in Springfield, MO, stopped during daylight hours at the TX and NM borders, and finished up with a final fuel stop in Flagstaff, AZ before getting home. What an adventure! I am blessed and happy beyond what I deserve!
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Eric "Todd" Mitten '74 Bonneville 4dr Sedan (455/TH400/2.93 open) '72 LeMans GT (455/M-13/3.23 [8.5"] posi) '71 GTO Hardtop (400/TH400/3.07 12 bolt posi) ‘71 GTO Convertible (455HO/TH400/3.23 posi) '67 GTO Coupe (455/ST-10/2.93 posi) '67 Tempest Wagon (428/TH400/2.56 posi) Deuteronomy 8:3 |
#2
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Todd, What a nice score! Hat's off to you for flying in and driving her home...what a great way to get to know her....Really QT!!
Congrats... Kurt
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Kurt L71S....1971 LeMans Sport Coupe 350/TH350 |
#3
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That’s awesome. Good for you, I would love to do that someday.
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#4
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The new shoes and wheels look great, nice combo!
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#5
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Todd, That does look good! I'm envious of the beautiful weather you AZ folks have in winter...18" of now in the last week and temps below 0
Enjoy driving the '71! Dennis |
#6
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Congrats on the "new" 71. What a way to get personal with your car ! That's a big trip, Glad you both made it home !
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#7
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Great Road Trip.
Did you have tools for the repairs or did you stop along the way? Quote:
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#8
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Thanks for the kudos everyone. She sure is a sweetie to me, and I had a blast bringing her home. Now I have to tend to the regular tune up items, and get her registered, then the fun can (legally) continue!
Quote:
Somewhere in the middle of nowhere TX the next day, she started vapor locking a bit, so I took the first exit and (forutnately) there was a local auto parts store, convenience store (with restaurant), and shade tree all right there. After a couple hours of maintenance and two walks over to the auto parts store, I was back on the road late afternoon. I've done enough road trips now that I have a pretty good handle on the weak points of these cars during long hauls. There are only a few things that will really stop you, so I tend to either start off with those spares in the trunk, or stop at a local Napa or the like and pick up what I need as I go. If a big failure occurs (trans, windowed block, etc...), there's precious little you can do to prepare, so those you just deal with if they ever occur. But my experience tells me they are very rare occurrences (only ever lost one trans in 30 years, and never destroyed an engine on a road trip). So for me, the list looks something like this: Aside from my tool bag (hand tools and a timing light/dwell meter/vacuum gauge), I try to have a spare (big can) fuel pump, section of fuel hose, starter solenoid, set of points, and a couple plugs and wires. Q-jet fuel filter is a good idea too, but not a requirement. Carrying a spare inline filter, a section of fuel hose and a couple clamps is an easy (temp) fix as well. I'm reminded of something my friend Keith Collier (mechanickeith) said years ago... "People work on their cars too much." He didn't mean that in a negative way, rather that our old cars will run and drive fine even when things aren't mechanically perfect. I've found that to be pretty accurate myself, and I remind myself regularly that we daily drove these things for years, back in the day. Nothing substantial has really changed, so why not keep doing it? Of course the biggest (unspoken) reason these trips go so well is that I see the hand of the Lord in every one. I've seen it so many times now over the years, it's almost fun to see what the Lord will do on each journey. I mean as I think about it, the coil dies just a few miles from where I bought the car and the seller can rush me a spare in less than an hour? And then vapor lock occurs at just the perfect exit for me to do the repairs, cool off, and eat lunch? I just don't see these as coincidences. They're divine appointments.
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Eric "Todd" Mitten '74 Bonneville 4dr Sedan (455/TH400/2.93 open) '72 LeMans GT (455/M-13/3.23 [8.5"] posi) '71 GTO Hardtop (400/TH400/3.07 12 bolt posi) ‘71 GTO Convertible (455HO/TH400/3.23 posi) '67 GTO Coupe (455/ST-10/2.93 posi) '67 Tempest Wagon (428/TH400/2.56 posi) Deuteronomy 8:3 |
#9
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Great pickup Todd! Where about in Illinois was it?
Hopefully, when I'm in Arizona visiting my parents in January I'll see you cruising... Great place to have a daily driver!
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Mike/Illinois |
#10
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Quote:
Seller tells me he bought it a couple years ago off a collector nearby who had it in a storage building since the early 80's. He told me it had a cracked block with a spun timing chain (hello nylon gear teeth) when he bought it. 109K on the car when I picked it up, so I'd imagine that's a fairly accurate history.
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Eric "Todd" Mitten '74 Bonneville 4dr Sedan (455/TH400/2.93 open) '72 LeMans GT (455/M-13/3.23 [8.5"] posi) '71 GTO Hardtop (400/TH400/3.07 12 bolt posi) ‘71 GTO Convertible (455HO/TH400/3.23 posi) '67 GTO Coupe (455/ST-10/2.93 posi) '67 Tempest Wagon (428/TH400/2.56 posi) Deuteronomy 8:3 |
#11
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Thanks Gents! I appreciate the compliments. The 71 keeps getting closer to my vision with every upgrade/improvement.
Dennis, yes we are enjoying our usual wonderful winter weather here. I know what you're dealing with as I have a brother in MN & one in MO. They're suffering as you are. You should come on down and visit your family soon. Let me know when you get here and we'll go cruising in a Pontiac! But I must warn you... you might just find you have to make the move too, like I did 17 years ago...
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Eric "Todd" Mitten '74 Bonneville 4dr Sedan (455/TH400/2.93 open) '72 LeMans GT (455/M-13/3.23 [8.5"] posi) '71 GTO Hardtop (400/TH400/3.07 12 bolt posi) ‘71 GTO Convertible (455HO/TH400/3.23 posi) '67 GTO Coupe (455/ST-10/2.93 posi) '67 Tempest Wagon (428/TH400/2.56 posi) Deuteronomy 8:3 |
#12
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Quote:
Dennis |
#13
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Very nice car and you are really bold to drive an unknown car that far. Well done!
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Chris D 69 GTO Liberty Blue/dark blue 467, 850 Holley, T2, Edelbrock Dport 310cfm w Ram Air manifolds, HFT 245/251D .561/.594L, T400, 9" w 3.50s 3905lbs 11.59@ 114, 1.57/ 60' |
#14
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I love it Todd! Great car with a cool and unusual color combo. My 71 has the Jade Green interior and it grows on you. I love driving it too. Back in 2009 I drove it from Atlanta to Dayton, OH for the Co-Vention. Only casualty was the brake master cylinder. The car rode really well and it was a fun trip. Enjoy your new ride in good health!
BJ
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1971 GTO 455 HO 4-speed - Cameo White, White Vinyl Top, Jade Green Interior, Ram Air Hood, AC, Honeycombs and 8-track 1974 Formula 455 I Owned in 1975-1976. Now Own Its Twin From Same Dealership |
#15
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Quote:
Always hoped for a Jade interior myself in a 71, and so happy that I now (finally) have one too! But I am kinda partial to shades of green. My 67 GTO is Cameo Ivory/Turquoise, and I've been in luv with that combo since I bought it 27 years ago.
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Eric "Todd" Mitten '74 Bonneville 4dr Sedan (455/TH400/2.93 open) '72 LeMans GT (455/M-13/3.23 [8.5"] posi) '71 GTO Hardtop (400/TH400/3.07 12 bolt posi) ‘71 GTO Convertible (455HO/TH400/3.23 posi) '67 GTO Coupe (455/ST-10/2.93 posi) '67 Tempest Wagon (428/TH400/2.56 posi) Deuteronomy 8:3 |
#16
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Todd,
Is that the original carpet in the car? It looks like a different shade than what is in mine. When I had it the first time, I bought a new carpet for it but didn’t put it in. It was a darker green and I decided the one in the car looked better. I still have that carpet if you are interested. I have a few other Jade Green interior parts as well. BJ
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1971 GTO 455 HO 4-speed - Cameo White, White Vinyl Top, Jade Green Interior, Ram Air Hood, AC, Honeycombs and 8-track 1974 Formula 455 I Owned in 1975-1976. Now Own Its Twin From Same Dealership |
#17
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BJ, good eye! The carpet was replaced by the seller a year or two back, and unfortunately, it's not the correct color (as you noted), or even the correct type (it's cut pile, not loop). My plan is to replace it with the correct style and color at some point in the near future, probably when I convert the car to a manual. For the time being, I'll be sorting out other mechanicals on the car, but the carpet is indeed on my radar.
Feel free to PM me about your carpet kit and the other jade interior pieces. I may be interested! Thanks!
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Eric "Todd" Mitten '74 Bonneville 4dr Sedan (455/TH400/2.93 open) '72 LeMans GT (455/M-13/3.23 [8.5"] posi) '71 GTO Hardtop (400/TH400/3.07 12 bolt posi) ‘71 GTO Convertible (455HO/TH400/3.23 posi) '67 GTO Coupe (455/ST-10/2.93 posi) '67 Tempest Wagon (428/TH400/2.56 posi) Deuteronomy 8:3 |
#18
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very cool find!
I was thinking this was all cool before I read of your road trip or this: Quote:
My car is a way off from being driven, but everyone I have spoken to who drove a Muncie three speed car said something akin to thinking it was near perfect... If you happen to stumble across more of them, please pass on the word (because of this). I whole heartedly agree with this: Quote:
According to google maps, it's a little over 1,400 miles, but I took the scenic route, so I added several hundred miles along the way - All I can say is that the Pacific Coast Highway north of San Fran is gorgeous...
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1970 Formula 400 Carousel Red paint on Black standard interior A no-engine, no-transmission, no-wheel option car. Quite likely one of few '70 Muncie three speed Formula 400's left. 1991 Grand Am: 14.4 @ 93.7mph (DA corrected) (retired DD, stock appearing) 2009 Cobalt SS: 13.9 @ 103mph (current DD; makes something north of 300hp & 350ft/lbs) |
#19
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Thanks Johnny. I appreciate the comments!
I found my spare M-13 on Craigslist in Denver last year while doing one of my usual searches for (a running list of) things Pontiac. My head (and browser) is always on the hunt for things that I may have need of now, or will have need for in the future. So when this one popped up, I had a friend pick it up for me, and then I picked it from him earlier this summer while I was visiting Colorado in my 72 GT. I think Preston (thepontiacman) here on PY had one for sale a year or two back as well. Maybe he still does? And yes, the PCH north of San Fran is phenomenal.
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Eric "Todd" Mitten '74 Bonneville 4dr Sedan (455/TH400/2.93 open) '72 LeMans GT (455/M-13/3.23 [8.5"] posi) '71 GTO Hardtop (400/TH400/3.07 12 bolt posi) ‘71 GTO Convertible (455HO/TH400/3.23 posi) '67 GTO Coupe (455/ST-10/2.93 posi) '67 Tempest Wagon (428/TH400/2.56 posi) Deuteronomy 8:3 |
#20
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Wow, has it been a year since I updated this thread? Geez! I guess as I look at the odometer on the 71, I see almost 10,000 miles since last August, so that must be right. My how the time marches on...
Anyway, I had a fun couple days doing a front suspension rebuild this week. (Pics below). I decided I'd try a set of those Chinese tubular A-arms, along with new springs, shocks & bigger sway. While I was in there, I opted for a new set of rotors & (ceramic) pads from my local Napa (the original were not only squeaking, but they were getting thin). I'm curious if the ceramics resist squealing better, as well as reducing brake dust compared to the traditional semi-metallic's. Cleaning the front wheels gets tiresome. Today was the test drive. Apparently my calibrated eyeballs are still pretty close with the alignment. She tracked almost perfectly straight (slight tug to the right @ highway speeds), and stopped straight and smooth. And talk about tighter? Oh boy. All win! The front is sitting a little higher than I like at the moment (stock height replacement springs which shows how bad the originals were sagging), but I plan to install 60 series tires up front in the next month or so. I believe that will set the stance exactly where I want it. That and the current 70 series tires are finally getting thin, but I couldn't justify removing them until I ran them down! In the coming days I will tweak the alignment a little, and eventually find my way to an alignment shop to see how I did. Later this month I plan to install the 3.07 12 bolt posi and sideline the 3.23 peg leg. Oh boy, I can hardly wait for that too! Keep wrenching, and keep driving Gent's! It's all pure joy.
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Eric "Todd" Mitten '74 Bonneville 4dr Sedan (455/TH400/2.93 open) '72 LeMans GT (455/M-13/3.23 [8.5"] posi) '71 GTO Hardtop (400/TH400/3.07 12 bolt posi) ‘71 GTO Convertible (455HO/TH400/3.23 posi) '67 GTO Coupe (455/ST-10/2.93 posi) '67 Tempest Wagon (428/TH400/2.56 posi) Deuteronomy 8:3 |
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