The Pontiac GTO is a front engine, rear-drive, two-and four-door passenger automobile manufactured and marketed by the Pontiac division of General Motors over four generations from 1963 until 1974. The first generation of the GTO is credited with popularizing the muscle car market in the 1960s. John Delorean, Bill Collins, and Russ Gee were responsible for the GTO's creation. It was promoted as a sporty car with a big engine option and a high-performance model that appealed to the youth market. The name GTO was inspired by the Ferrari GTO, an abbreviation for "Gran Turismo Omologato," an Italian term meaning "Grand Touring Homologated." In the automotive world, "homologated" means that a car has been approved for a specific racing series or class. The name, GTO, was John DeLorean's idea, inspired by the iconic 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO. This gave the car a prestigious moniker and made it seem like it could be certified and compete in European car racing. The Judge was part of the second generation of GTOs (1968-72) and offered as an option package. The name came from a comedy routine, Here Comes the Judge, used repeatedly on the popular Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In show. Rock band Paul Revere and the Raiders also recorded a special song to advertise the Judge and was featured in TV publicity. In 1970 the GTO was the third bestselling intermediate muscle car, outsold only by the Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396/454 and the Plymouth Roadrunner. However, by the early 1970s the writing was on the wall for the muscle car market. Rising gasoline prices and exorbitant insurance costs led to declining sale, and car manufacturers eventually ceased production.  

This 1970 Pontiac GTO represents the 1970s in our '100 Years of Route 66' exhibit, and is on loan from Overstreet House of Cars.