The 1970s were both the best of times and the worst of times for Pontiac and the performance car world in general. The early 1970s were peak years for the high-performance cars that had been coming out of Detroit since the mid-1960s, when Pontiac, led by John Z. DeLorean, had transformed itself into a performance icon.
Unfortunately, steadily tightening emissions standards, ridiculously high insurance premiums, and a problematic economy would eventually take their toll on these high-powered masters of the highways, the back roads, and the drag strips. By the end of the 1970s, the thundering monsters that lived rent-free in enthusiasts' imaginations would be shadows of their former selves. But despite these gathering storm clouds, Pontiac continued to crank out cars throughout the decade that captivated 1970s buyers and 21st century collectors alike.
Here are five legendary Pontiac models from the 1970s and how much money you'll see them go for today. These awesome Pontiacs are listed in chronological order by model year. The Pontiac GTO Judge first appeared as a 1969 model and had its life extended through the 1970 and 1971 model years.
Intended as a way to improve GTO sales by adding a high-performance model at a premium price, The Judge package, named for the TV skit "Here Comes The Judge" that became very popular on the weekly 1960s show "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In," was a $332 option. It included a unique orange exterior color that was actually named Carousel Red (other .