[UPC-WU2]

This is a long story, and some day I might bore this forum with the details in a long post. But today was a pretty big day for me.

My Judge had not moved under its own power since 1976. Until today, 31 years later. I bought this car in 1988 (my own "Judge in a barn" story), and at that time it had sat for 12 years with a blown motor. I have owned it now 19 years and have finally gotten this project to the point of firing it up and actually throwing it in gear and "driving" it. Today with the finished motor back in, the body back on the frame, the brakes done, steering done, exhaust done, everything came together and I was able to bolt a seat in and "DRIVE MY JUDGE." I drove it down the driveway back and forth a couple times with my 3-year-old son old as co-pilot. Then onto a trailer to go to the paint shop. I can actually see light at the end of this 20-year tunnel.

Forgive me, I'm a little excited. I have owned a '69 GTO Judge for over 19 years and I had never actually "driven" it until today. One little victory.

[trishieldchief]

Way to go!
Long term comitments are tough ,good you are seeing through.

[6804gto]

Thats great! Good luck with the rest of the car.
What is your goal for having this completed & what options does your Judge have.

[robz]

Originally Posted by UPC-WU2

This is a long story, and some day I might bore this forum with the details in a long post. But today was a pretty big day for me.

My Judge had not moved under its own power since 1976. Until today, 31 years later. I bought this car in 1988 (my own "Judge in a barn" story), and at that time it had sat for 12 years with a blown motor. I have owned it now 19 years and have finally gotten this project to the point of firing it up and actually throwing it in gear and "driving" it. Today with the finished motor back in, the body back on the frame, the brakes done, steering done, exhaust done, everything came together and I was able to bolt a seat in and "DRIVE MY JUDGE." I drove it down the driveway back and forth a couple times with my 3-year-old son old as co-pilot. Then onto a trailer to go to the paint shop. I can actually see light at the end of this 20-year tunnel.

Forgive me, I'm a little excited. I have owned a '69 GTO Judge for over 19 years and I had never actually "driven" it until today. One little victory.

Attachment 112362Attachment 112361Attachment 112363

I can understand truly! I had mine in a 4 yr resto and remember when I first got engine running in garage: straight headers at 10pm..loudest rumble I've ever heard..Mom came down thinking car exploded or something...

Then 1 week later got the exhaust on and out it went around the block burning rubber in 1-2-3..No plates/lights/mirrors..and one seat..

So your story is even more rewarding after all these years...Congrats and great that you kept your motivation where others may have given up years ago!

[GTOGreg]

Bravo, well done!

[OVERULD]

Very cool story - good luck with the rest of the project! I'll be looking forward to seeing the finished project and to hearing "The Rest of the Story"

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

What a great day for you and your son. Cool story man.

That's gonna be a really nice Judge.
Some well done thorough work completed. Looking good.
Uncommon to see resonators in place too.

[judgera4]

Congrats!Very cool!

[Pontiyak]

You really remind me of myself. I have owned my Judge since 1991 that sat in barn since 1978. It was what the owner thought was a bad motor, but was actually loose convertor bolts.
I hope to be in your shoes some day soon and be doing my Judge with my son going for a little toot down the driveway.

You have made me reconsider my increasing desire to sell my Judge as I thought...car sitting for 16 years, will I ever do it ??? ........if you waited 19 years and were still able to get to yours and do it.

Oh and by the looks of the pictures you have to this point done a very nice job on detailing with that car. Keep on track and congratulation and good luck to completion.

Thanx very much Dave

[3goats]

upc-wu2
Hey Had the same experience when I got my judge running after 5 years. Left driveway with no paint ,scab rims and licence plate dangling from rear crossmember (no bumper) drove down the highway and came back hours later. Car ran like a top.
Good luck on your restoration.

[bulletpruf]

Aweseome story! Congrats and git' 'er done!

Scott

[kaysersuzuki]

Originally Posted by UPC-WU2

This is a long story, and some day I might bore this forum with the details in a long post. But today was a pretty big day for me.

My Judge had not moved under its own power since 1976. Until today, 31 years later. I bought this car in 1988 (my own "Judge in a barn" story), and at that time it had sat for 12 years with a blown motor. I have owned it now 19 years and have finally gotten this project to the point of firing it up and actually throwing it in gear and "driving" it. Today with the finished motor back in, the body back on the frame, the brakes done, steering done, exhaust done, everything came together and I was able to bolt a seat in and "DRIVE MY JUDGE." I drove it down the driveway back and forth a couple times with my 3-year-old son old as co-pilot. Then onto a trailer to go to the paint shop. I can actually see light at the end of this 20-year tunnel.

Forgive me, I'm a little excited. I have owned a '69 GTO Judge for over 19 years and I had never actually "driven" it until today. One little victory.

Attachment 112362Attachment 112361Attachment 112363

who is doing the paint work?

[UPC-WU2]

Thanks guys.

Pontiyak, don't give up. I have thought about selling mine a hundred different times. Staying focused and finding ambition (and money) isn't always easy, but I'm glad I still have this car. It even survived the divorce.

Ron, I haven't deicded yet who will shoot the final color. I have a few options. My dad and I have done all of the repairs and bodywork so far, including shooting tons of primer and blocksanding. My dad and brother are saying that I should shoot the color/clear myself.

The car is a basic garden-variety Judge. Ram Air III/M40. Carousel Red/black interior, black vinyl roof. I have added a tilt column and rally gauges/clock. It was sold new at Jenny Pontiac (now Everhart-O'Leary Pontiac) in Janesville, Wisconsin which is only 25 miles from here, and has been in my hometown for it's whole life. The original owner is my brother-in-law's uncle, and he lives just six blocks from me. So the history of the car is well-known around town. It's just that no-one has seen this Judge in over 3 decades.

Maybe I'll have it finished before I die of old age.....

[GTO JOHN]

Congratulations. A great story worthy of a long post someday. Are you putting the codova top back on? Kind of unusual option combo with the vinyl top, hood tach, and automatic. I'm sure your 3 year old son is loving every minute of this as my now 5 year old does.

Back when I was putting my black 69 together in April 2002 we tool it around the block in with open exhaust, no taillights or signal lamps, and no glass. My buddies hat flew off his head and out the back window opening. Let me tell you without a front windshield, anything over 20 mph is just nuts. A few of my neighbors stopped over afterwards to check out the car. A fun day when you finally light the wick.

Best of luck with the rest of the project.

John

[pontiac6269]

Congratulations, I know how you feel my 69 is going on its 17 year being down, since 1990. Hoping to have it painted this winter. The picture in my avatar is how it sits now.

[1970gpsj4speed]

Way to go man ,i almost teared up when i read this.I have a gp ive owned since high school ( i just turned 50) and my son talked me into keeping it whan i wanted to sell it in 99. it was not interesting to me and i wanted a 4 speed car Buick stage 1 GS.well im doing it now and converted to a 4 speed.and I cant wait to start it but mines only been a year and a half .I can only omagine the excitment you felt .Its the hours invested that makes it .just look down at your hands THATS what built that car!
Awsome story

[The Boss]

Great story - I can only imagine how you feel.

My first GTO (bought in 89) has never been driveable and has sat idle in multiple locations for nearly 30 years. I have never driven it, however in 2000, my son (then 5 or 6) got to steer it as I pulled it out of the back yard and up to the garage at our old house. I had it strapped to our Tahoe and would point out the window which direction to steer. I drove slowly with my daughter (then 4) jumping around inside the truck yelling orders to her brother.

Great memories, good stuff!

[lazlo]

Great project..... after reading this you have probably sent me in a totally different direction for my restoration... plan was simple frame & firewall, Body work & paint, mechanics, interior... Not talented enough to do my own body work but I'll be doing most of the rest of the work. Now I'm thinking I'll do the frame & firewall, put the engine trans, clutch assembly & airconditioning in, get them working, then do the body work... makes a lot more sense... these forums are great stuff!

[kaysersuzuki]

[quote=UPC-WU2]Thanks guys.



Ron, I haven't deicded yet who will shoot the final color. I have a few options. My dad and I have done all of the repairs and bodywork so far, including shooting tons of primer and blocksanding. My dad and brother are saying that I should shoot the color/clear myself.

i know of a guy close to you over in albany that works at utzig the i could recommend but if i do that than my ta might get pushed back farter,then the paint would be baked on and cleared,his dads car won a personal invite to the world of wheels

[kaysersuzuki]

btw he is still doing the body work on the ta so if you want his name let me know