[gtomike72]

Was a member several years ago under 72 LeMans, cant remember my old password and since my LeMans is now a "GTO" I figured Id update it. Some of you may remember me talking about how I was thinking of building something Pontiac never did, a 72 GTO Judge, well here is my attempt at it and still work in progress...

Some background on this car...

This "GTO" started off as a base 72 LeMans 350 2 barrel car. Basically got this car as my 16th Birthday present from my grandparents back in 1997. They had the car and never drove it. Only had 29000 miles on it. I learned to drive in this car as well as down the road, leaned to work on cars through trial and error.



The car was originally a golden brown color, but being a junior in high school wasnt "cool" enough. (should have left it that color if I could go back in time) So a trip to Maaco and $600 less in my small bank account, I had a bright red LeMans



I drove the 72 during a couple winters in high school and college and rust had its way with the car. So in 2003, I decided to retire it from daily driver and start restoring it as a 72 GTO "Judge". Pontiac stopped making the Judges in 71, so I wanted to make what I thought a 72 should look like (even though the body changes between 71/72 are minimal) Orbit Orange paint, a hood tach, black out the grills, Judge spoiler and stripes, and the 71 rear valance panel with the exhaust cutouts in it. Im ALONG way from finished but here is what I have so far.

Here is the GTO after I replaced all of the panels with solid (or best available) panels. I deleted the vinyl top off the car although still tossing around the idea to put a black one back on...




This 400 came out of a 77 Grand Prix SJ along with a TH400 transmission. Me and my friend rebuilt it. It has a cam similar to the Pontiac RAIV cam, headers, intake, and a performance rebuilt Q-Jet and a Th400 transmission with a Hurst His/Her Factory Shifter that I took out of a 68 GTO. Still has an open 10 bolt rear, looking for a complete posi rear as I write this.




Here are several pictures taking during the final blocking and after the paint job...








Here is the GTO shortly after getting the paint wetsanded and buffed. Still minus the spoiler, stripes, and hood tach.




Working at a tire shop at the time, it was actually cheaper to get American Racing Torque Thust 2 wheels vs buying PMD center caps/sandblasting/repainting the Rally 2s so $350 later I have new rims!





And just before winter I got the Judge spoiler installed. I painted it black to match the hood scoops and the grill. I may paint it body color at some point? Here is my GTO next to my buddys project truck...




Its a LONG way from done and to be honest, I probably wont be happy until a frame off restoration is done but for now, its runs, it drives, its painted...still needs the Judge stripes and hood tach, interior redone and unhood/undercarriage detailed and painted...its all time and money...