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Ummgawa 06-05-2013 05:17 AM

SW, I can tell you from experience, who ever put that GTO back together knew their stuff. I have a 70 GTO vert, and let me tell you, I've never seen as many moving parts on a front clip (hood, fenders, endura, lower valence, etc.) as a 70 GTO. I had four Uncles who worked at the GM Lakewood plant where the GTO's, GS's, and Super Sport Chevelles (and bus chassis) were built.

I remember visiting the plant on "Orbit Orange" day, and as a ten year old, it was quite a sight to see up close.I had no idea I was looking at some really expensive cars (in future terms). I remember my Uncle Gordon's station, after all the fenders and hood and lower valence had been hung loosely, along with the endura bumper. His station was where all the stuff got it's final alignment. Here's the clincher. The tool they used to measure tolerances and gaps in the endura to fender, hood and lower valence was a business card. It had to slide tightly between all the joints, They could bust one through in about 25 seconds, with two other guys putting the final lock down on all the bolts holding that front end together. It looked like they were doing a well coordinated dance. It's quite a great memory.

The reason I say all that is I rarely see one with all it's joints fitting as tight as yours does. Especially on a Orbit Orange car. Great find and yes, auto RAIII cars did indeed come with 10 bolts. They are tough as a two dollar steak. I've owned a few GTO's and Judges and that's one component I never had an issue with, regardless of the burnouts I threw at it.

Great find. Looking forward to how you "SW" it up.

fleet 06-05-2013 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ummgawa (Post 484480)
SW, I can tell you from experience, who ever put that GTO back together knew their stuff. I have a 70 GTO vert, and let me tell you, I've never seen as many moving parts on a front clip (hood, fenders, endura, lower valence, etc.) as a 70 GTO. I had four Uncles who worked at the GM Lakewood plant where the GTO's, GS's, and Super Sport Chevelles (and bus chassis) were built.

I remember visiting the plant on "Orbit Orange" day, and as a ten year old, it was quite a sight to see up close.I had no idea I was looking at some really expensive cars (in future terms). I remember my Uncle Gordon's station, after all the fenders and hood and lower valence had been hung loosely, along with the endura bumper. His station was where all the stuff got it's final alignment. Here's the clincher. The tool they used to measure tolerances and gaps in the endura to fender, hood and lower valence was a business card. It had to slide tightly between all the joints, They could bust one through in about 25 seconds, with two other guys putting the final lock down on all the bolts holding that front end together. It looked like they were doing a well coordinated dance. It's quite a great memory.

The reason I say all that is I rarely see one with all it's joints fitting as tight as yours does. Especially on a Orbit Orange car. Great find and yes, auto RAIII cars did indeed come with 10 bolts. They are tough as a two dollar steak. I've owned a few GTO's and Judges and that's one component I never had an issue with, regardless of the burnouts I threw at it.

Great find. Looking forward to how you "SW" it up.

Enjoyed your recollections of those days Jim. :thumbsup:

Che70velle 06-05-2013 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Streetking (Post 484459)
It's a 400 ci auto w/ air and 3:23 gears it has a 10 bolt. The later cars and 455 ci motors came with 12 bolts and 4 speed cars. I did a search on Performance years and just talked to the previous owner..


You are correct sir. I didn't realize this was a 400ci car. :underchair:
Beautiful car! Can't wait to see what you do to it. Be gentle.:thumbsup:

RussMurco 06-05-2013 07:14 AM

Ah, nice find, SW! It brings back memories of a high-school pal's car, a 1970 GTO 455. He had the darker orange with Judge stripes and the spoiler, but his wasn't a real Judge car, just a GTO. He still had it as of 1998, the last time I saw him. What a fun car that thing was!!! Enjoy it!!!

chr2002ca 06-05-2013 09:49 AM

Buy a car and just drive it. What a novel idea. :bang:

Many congrats on such a purchase. An awesome car. I'm a big Poncho fan. Had several 455 TA's in my time. I hope one day I get a chance to see your car collection in person. I'll bring my own towel to wipe off the drool and tears.

Vince@Meanstreets 06-05-2013 10:19 AM

awesome car.

markss28 06-05-2013 11:13 AM

Are there tickets we could buy or a drawing to enter to hang with you for a week? :knokwood:

T_Raven 06-05-2013 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Streetking (Post 484368)
I think I am going to leave this one pretty much like it is except for a few tweaks.

That's how it always starts lol. Good looking car

Streetking 06-05-2013 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compos mentis (Post 484485)
Enjoyed your recollections of those days Jim. :thumbsup:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Che70velle (Post 484493)
You are correct sir. I didn't realize this was a 400ci car. :underchair:
Beautiful car! Can't wait to see what you do to it. Be gentle.:thumbsup:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravenworks (Post 484499)
Ah, nice find, SW! It brings back memories of a high-school pal's car, a 1970 GTO 455. He had the darker orange with Judge stripes and the spoiler, but his wasn't a real Judge car, just a GTO. He still had it as of 1998, the last time I saw him. What a fun car that thing was!!! Enjoy it!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince@MSperfab (Post 484537)
awesome car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by markss28 (Post 484546)
Are there tickets we could buy or a drawing to enter to hang with you for a week? :knokwood:

Quote:

Originally Posted by T_Raven (Post 484566)
That's how it always starts lol. Good looking car

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ummgawa (Post 484480)
SW, I can tell you from experience, who ever put that GTO back together knew their stuff. I have a 70 GTO vert, and let me tell you, I've never seen as many moving parts on a front clip (hood, fenders, endura, lower valence, etc.) as a 70 GTO. I had four Uncles who worked at the GM Lakewood plant where the GTO's, GS's, and Super Sport Chevelles (and bus chassis) were built.

I remember visiting the plant on "Orbit Orange" day, and as a ten year old, it was quite a sight to see up close.I had no idea I was looking at some really expensive cars (in future terms). I remember my Uncle Gordon's station, after all the fenders and hood and lower valence had been hung loosely, along with the endura bumper. His station was where all the stuff got it's final alignment. Here's the clincher. The tool they used to measure tolerances and gaps in the endura to fender, hood and lower valence was a business card. It had to slide tightly between all the joints, They could bust one through in about 25 seconds, with two other guys putting the final lock down on all the bolts holding that front end together. It looked like they were doing a well coordinated dance. It's quite a great memory.

The reason I say all that is I rarely see one with all it's joints fitting as tight as yours does. Especially on a Orbit Orange car. Great find and yes, auto RAIII cars did indeed come with 10 bolts. They are tough as a two dollar steak. I've owned a few GTO's and Judges and that's one component I never had an issue with, regardless of the burnouts I threw at it.

Great find. Looking forward to how you "SW" it up.

Great story! Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by chr2002ca (Post 484532)
Buy a car and just drive it. What a novel idea. :bang:

Many congrats on such a purchase. An awesome car. I'm a big Poncho fan. Had several 455 TA's in my time. I hope one day I get a chance to see your car collection in person. I'll bring my own towel to wipe off the drool and tears.

Thanks guys, I am stoked about this car. Been doing a lot of reading about GTO's. My little lady is very excited about it also. She just asked me not to make it "undrivable" LOL..

Ummgawa 06-05-2013 04:57 PM

Quote:

Thanks guys, I am stoked about this car. Been doing a lot of reading about GTO's. My little lady is very excited about it also. She just asked me not to make it "undrivable" LOL..
Just do an "SW" treatment on it. It'll be wicked.


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