For nearly five years, our mission at the museum, cars.edu.vn, has been to keep our displays dynamic and engaging by regularly rotating our featured automobiles. We take pride in presenting a fresh experience for returning visitors, constantly moving cars in and out and rearranging exhibits – a task made easier by the ever-helpful “Go-Jacks” and our dedicated volunteers. We’ve even had a few occasions where enthusiastic visitors spontaneously joined in the fun of rearranging, adding to the camaraderie of our car-loving community. It’s always a challenging endeavor, but the reward of a refreshed museum experience is always worth the effort.
Our broader goal is to celebrate the legacy of Pontiac and Oakland vehicles, showcasing a diverse range of models from different eras. Sometimes, the most compelling displays arise from presenting similar vehicles side-by-side, allowing visitors to appreciate subtle differences and examine the intricate details that make each car unique. Our latest exhibit, featuring two remarkably similar Pontiac GTO Judges, came together somewhat serendipitously, deviating from our usual meticulous planning process.
Back in 2011, when we first opened the museum doors, I was deeply involved in the restoration of a 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge. This was a passion project years in the making, and at that stage, I had only completed the restoration of the chassis and drivetrain. As we were setting up the initial museum displays, the idea struck us that showcasing the Judge’s meticulously restored chassis – in its bare, “exposed” form, detached from the body – could offer a fascinating glimpse into the underpinnings of this iconic Pontiac Car.
The response was overwhelmingly positive. Visitors were captivated by the exposed chassis, and it became a surprisingly popular exhibit. After nearly two years on display, however, I was eager to progress with the restoration and reunite the detailed chassis with its body, which had been safely stored awaiting its turn in the restoration journey. So, the chassis was carefully removed from the museum floor and transported to our workshop just a short distance away.
The 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge Restoration: A Labor of Love
Soon after relocating the chassis, I organized a “Let’s put the body on the chassis” gathering, and around nine fellow enthusiasts showed up, ready to lend a hand. Later, a more intensive two-day session with a smaller group of friends followed. Our shared objective, which we soon achieved, was to get the Judge fully operational. The moment the glorious Ram Air III engine roared back to life after years of silence was truly exhilarating. Words cannot adequately express my gratitude for the invaluable assistance of everyone involved in this stage of the Pontiac car restoration.
Following this milestone, countless hours of meticulous detailing were invested throughout the winter of 2014-2015. Finally, a fresh coat of paint, expertly applied by Marvin’s Motor City in Morris, Illinois, brought the Mint Turquoise Metallic finish back to its original splendor. The 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge restoration was finally complete.
My vision from the outset was to showcase the fully restored Judge inside the museum. I was particularly keen to reveal to our returning visitors the transformation of the bare chassis they had seen previously and present the stunning culmination of the restoration process.
From Restoration to Museum Display: The Mint Turquoise Metallic 1970 Judge
Fast forward to mid-November 2015, and an exciting opportunity arose for the museum to gain exposure at the prestigious Muscle Car & Corvette Nationals (MCACN) show in Rosemont, Illinois. The freshly restored 1970 Judge, with its distinctive and rare Mint Turquoise Metallic factory color, emerged as the perfect attention-grabbing vehicle to anchor our booth throughout the two-day event. This vibrant Pontiac car was sure to draw crowds and spark conversations.
During quieter moments at the show, when I wasn’t engaged in discussions about the museum or the displayed GTO, I took the opportunity to explore the exhibition hall and admire the impressive array of rare and meticulously maintained muscle cars on display.
Serendipitous Encounter: Discovering the 1969 GTO Judge Project
It was during this exploration that I encountered Jim Mott of Jim Mott Restorations, based in Kimberly, Idaho. Jim is a respected specialist in Pontiac restorations and consistently presents exceptional, fully restored cars at shows like MCACN.
However, this year, Jim’s display was notably different and immediately captured my attention. It appeared to be a 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge restoration project that was intentionally paused midway through. It was as if he had decided to showcase his craftsmanship “in progress,” offering a unique glimpse into the restoration journey. The setup sounded remarkably familiar to our own initial Judge chassis display at POMARC!
Jim explained that he had discovered this particular 1969 GTO Judge, a Ram Air IV, four-speed model, languishing in an open field in Idaho. Exposed to the elements for an extended period, the car had suffered significant deterioration. The windows were broken, the interior was filled with debris, and fertilizer stored in the trunk had caused extensive corrosion, completely destroying the floor.
He acquired the car and transported it back to his shop, where he began the arduous task of separating the body from the chassis. He had made significant progress in restoring the chassis and drivetrain when he was diverted to focus on customer projects. Nevertheless, recognizing the promotional value of the MCACN show, he ingeniously constructed a support structure to elevate the unrestored Judge body just above the pristine, restored chassis. In stark contrast to the gleaming chassis, the body remained untouched – a raw representation of its neglected state in Idaho, complete with a junk-filled interior.
Inspecting the weathered and dilapidated body, one could only imagine the condition of the chassis before Jim’s expert restoration work. The overall display was incredibly compelling, highlighting the dramatic contrast between the meticulously restored chassis and components and the severely deteriorated body, effectively showcasing Jim’s restoration expertise and the promise of a brighter future for this classic Pontiac car.
A Unique Pontiac Display: Two Judges, Before and After
The unique “before and after” narrative presented by Jim’s display resonated deeply with me, and I immediately considered the possibility of featuring it at POMARC. I inquired about Jim’s plans for the project in the near future.
Jim explained that his workload back in Idaho was substantial, with numerous customer cars awaiting restoration. He estimated that it would be well over a year before he could even contemplate resuming work on his 1969 Judge. Seizing the opportunity, I proposed, “What if you were to display it at the Museum? Instead of transporting it all the way back to Idaho, why not let us showcase it here in Illinois until you return next year?”
“Let me consider it,” he replied.
The following day, Jim sought me out at the museum’s booth and agreed to the proposition.
And so, currently at POMARC, we are thrilled to present a unique two-Judge display! The 1969 chassis, paired with its rough, elevated body, powerfully illustrates the extent of decay that these classic Pontiac cars can endure before being lovingly restored back to their former glory. Positioned nearby, our fully restored 1970 Judge proudly exemplifies the beauty and stunning results achievable through a comprehensive, multi-year restoration endeavor.
We invite you to plan a visit to POMARC today to experience this exceptional Pontiac car exhibit and explore our many other impressive displays firsthand. Witness the captivating stories these automobiles tell and celebrate the enduring legacy of Pontiac.
