by In the heyday of American muscle cars, only a few automobiles embodied the spirit of power like the Pontiac GTO. Among them, one model continues to attract attention, especially when it appears at auctions.
A Unique Specimen
This 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge Ram Air IV convertible is an outstanding phenomenon even among rare cars. Created at the peak of the “muscle car wars,” it is that limited edition that collectors dream of.
It is believed that only 168 convertibles in the Judge version were released for the 1970 model year, and today, low-mileage examples like this one can be worth over a million dollars. Soon, one of these elusive cars will head to auction.
What Makes It So Rare?
The specific example to be auctioned next year is considered one of only 24 cars equipped with the optional four-speed “manual” transmission. This fact alone makes it unique. But there is something else, and for potential buyers, it’s not the best news for the wallet.
According to the auction house Mecum Auctions, which is handling the sale, this is the only known Judge convertible with a Ram Air IV engine in this configuration that still retains its original, numbers-matching powertrain. And as is known, when it comes to muscle car provenance, factory authenticity can make the difference between a notable sale and a record-breaking one.
The heart of the car is a 400-cubic-inch (6.6-liter) V8 engine that produced 370 horsepower when this car was new. In 2017, the Pontiac was completely disassembled down to bare metal and restored. It was then repainted in its original shade of “Pepper Green” with yellow accents, and it still sits on its original wheels, shod with Firestone tires.
A Time Capsule on Wheels
A glance at the odometer shows that this Pontiac GTO has traveled just over 52,500 miles (84,500 km). While by collection standards this is not an extremely low figure, the restoration makes its appearance even fresher.
This is especially noticeable in the interior, where the black vinyl seats remain in excellent condition. Even the under-hood space looks freshly detailed and neat, down to the smallest details.
The auction house Mecum Auctions will put the car up for sale at its event in Kissimmee in January 2026. While no pre-sale estimate has been announced, it is quite possible that the car will be sold for a truly impressive sum. In early 2023, a similar rare Judge convertible, but with the available automatic transmission, was sold for a staggering $1.1 million.
The sale of this example could become another important marker for the collectible American muscle car market, demonstrating stable demand for the rarest, most authentic versions. Factors such as full numbers-matching, documented history, and restoration quality continue to play a decisive role in shaping prices at such top auctions, preserving the status of such cars not only as vehicles but also as historical artifacts of an industrial era.
