[Jimbobeast]

1970 ORBIT ORANGE GTO JUDGE CONVERTIBLE RAM AIR IV 4-SPEED:

OK, this is a “tribute” car. This car, with these options was NEVER ordered or made in 1970. But this is not just slap on a wing and stripes tribute. This is a 35 year holy quest, frame-off, rotisserie, numbers matching project to create what I consider the ULTIMATE 1970 GTO. Options are original, gathered over several decades, disassembled, re-painted and optimized. The engine is a 614 head, WW block, RA-IV with correct carb, distributor, number matching 4-speed and 10-bolt 3.90 posi.

The list of options is unrivaled, including original, deluxe front seat shoulder belts (when was the last time you saw that on a convertible?), Power flow-through ventilation, AM/FM 8-track with Pontiac “Surrounding Sounds of Stereo” tape still in cellophane, PW, PDL, Power Seat back release, Formula wheel, tilt, hood pins etc (see window sticker).

I searched for years trying to find an original car like this and finally decided to build my own. The ONLY way to tell this is not original is to get the PHS documentation. It is in concours condition. It is better than factory new. Imagine the factory was filled with workers obsessed with this vehicle with unlimited time and resources. They would have made this car.

There were only 13 RAIV Judge Convertibles built in 1970 and only two in Orbit Orange. The Chuck Cocoma car (automatic, fewer options) sold at Mecum Kissimmee in 2023 for $1.1 million. Wade Ogle owns the only RA-IV Orbit Orange 4-speed Judge convertible but it has minimal options. Again, a $1,000,000+ car.

I never thought I’d sell this car, but I’m getting old and I have another 70 Judge convertible to drive around. I would really like to see this car go to someone who will appreciate its place in Pontiac history and love it as I do. It will never be more perfect than it is right now. I’m asking $150K which is a bargain.

If it does not sell, I have 3 grandsons who may inherit one very special car (they will have to learn to drive a stick).

Location: Bradenton, Florida

[vertigto]

Beautiful '70...sorry to hear that you are selling.

[starlightblack]

That is A LOT of car , well done creating that! WOW. GLWS

[turbo69bird]

Really cool car. If you still have it when I go down this winter , I’ll get in touch and take a look at it.

Some people spend 100k to restore a 350 car so while it may seem like a lot to some the RAIV parts and the resto are probably pretty close to the price of the car

[Mr_GTO]

I wonder if I can embezzle my wife's bonus in Feb to buy it lol. J/K. Beautiful car. I'm also in Bradenton and if anyone serious would like me to look at it I could.
Best of luck with the sale. I'm very sad I can't buy it.

[Jimbobeast]

I'm sure your wife is an intelligent, logical woman. Simply explain to her that a 1970 RAIV 4-speed GTO Judge convertible is really just like a 401K that you can drive with the top down :-)

[Jimbobeast]

More convincing evidence.

[Jimbobeast]

further ammunition

[Mr_GTO]

Just saw it posted on FB. Good luck with the sale. I wish I could afford it. I'm in Bradenton as well so if anyone wants me to check it out for you please let me know.
Chris

[nas t eh]

Very nice, I’m not a buyer, but I am curious what the car started life as, maybe others who are buyers are too? Was it a RA4, 4 speed, Judge convertible? That still has the matching drive train?

[Jimbobeast]

It was a 455-HO, automatic GTO convertible, gold with white top.

[johnta1]

Very nice!

Do you have the PHS for it? It was a 455 GTO convertible originally?
That would be a cool car also.

GLWS !

[Jimbobeast]

PHS shows it to be originally a 455-HO automatic GTO convertible. NOT a Judge. NOT a RAIV. NOT a 4-speed. NOT Orbit Orange.
A very nice car to be sure, but it was that gold/tan color. Not anything I would personally want, hence the change.

[mmarx]

Nice car, GLWS. 241 70 GTO 455 HO a/t 'verts built...

[Jimbobeast]

Sold at Mecum Kissimmee 2 days ago for $135K

[Jimbobeast]

It did look good. I will miss her.

[Jimbobeast]

The conclusion of this saga:
The 1970 Orbit Orange RAIV 4-spped Judge convertible tribute has a new home with an astute collector in Idaho where it resides in a massive warehouse with his 50 other spectacular and rare muscle cars. We have spoken and texted multiple times and it seems he loves her as much as I did. I'm very happy.
Since I am not going to restore any more GTOs (I still have my modified 1970 455-Ho Judge convertible), I sold my 40 year accumulation of GTO parts (hoods, bumpers, engines, Muncies, rare options) in one big batch to another enthusiast for a VERY fair price. I'm happy again, as this was the plan all along. The garage shelves are kinda bare and sad, but now the 455-HO car can get some much needed attention.
All in all, a very happy ending.

[Jimbobeast]

Also, the Orbit Orange car was the cover car and main article in The Legend March 2026 issue. Editor Tom did an outstanding layout.