Judges

[StealthBird]

As in fastest to slowest in just the 1970 model year? If we're just talking 1970 GTO's, then the pecking order from highest to lowest would be RAIV, 455 H.O., 400 HO (RAIII), then the 400.

On the all time GTO list, I would say the 69 RAIV 4-speed, 70 RAIV 4-speed, 67 XS Ram Air 4-speed, 71/72 455 H.O., 66 GTO tri-power 4-speed.

As for slowest all-time Goat, the rare 67-69 GTO with the 2-barrel option would probably top the list, followed by the 74 GTO, 73 GTO 400, and the 64 GTO 389 4-barrel with the 2-speed auto. Of course, certain non-performance option combos may trump some of the above.

Worst combo would have to be a loaded 68 GTO convertible, with a/c, p/w, etc., with the 2-barrel option, 2.93 non-posi, and the rare chrome bumper nose. Make mine light yellow with a white top.

[442w30]

I disagree that the RAIII is slower than the '70 455.

You also forgot the RAII in the equation. There are some who still believe it is faster than the RAIV.

[StealthBird]

Granted, the 1970 RAIII and 455 are close, but I believe the 455 had the edge. There weren't very many original road tests comparing the two, but from what I have:

1970 GTO Judge(RAIII), 4-speed, 3.55 posi, 14.77 @ 94.42 mph
1970 GTO (RAIII), 4-speed, 3.90 posi, 14.60 @ 99.55 mph
1970 GTO 455, Turbo 400, 13.98 @ 101.88 mph
1970 GTO 455, 4-speed, 3.31 non-posi, 15.0 @ 96.5 mph
1970 GTO 455, Turbo 400, 3.55 posi, 14.76 @ 95.94 mph

The big difference here is that all 3 of the 455 cars tested had a/c, and the 455 car that ran 15.0 even had p/w and p/dl, and was a peg-legger. The 400 RAIII's tested were pretty standard, no a/c or other weight related problems. The 14.60 turned in by the 70 RAIII above was after an entire morning of tuning (the car ran consistent high 14's until then).

Pontiac marketed the 1970 455 as a cruiser, not a 1/4 miler, but of the 455's that were tested, even with a/c and loaded up with options, still were comparable to the RAIII.

Go figure, I forgot about the 68-1/2 RAII's. How embarrassing, one of my favorite powerplants too. Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue.

[442w30]

That's ok, I had a hard time shedding amyl nitrate.

The 13-sec 455 test you have was probably in the 1970 Hi Performance Cars Yearbook. I wouldn't put much credence in this. What about the real world? I think the RAIII has a slight edge. It also was available with digger gears, while the 455 was not, I believe.

[StealthBird]

[ QUOTE ]
The 13-sec 455 test you have was probably in the 1970 Hi Performance Cars Yearbook. I wouldn't put much credence in this. What about the real world? I think the RAIII has a slight edge. It also was available with digger gears, while the 455 was not, I believe.

[/ QUOTE ]

True, no steep gears for the 455, but as we know, the Pontiac 455 liked the mid 3-series gears the best.

The 13 second 455 GTO time listed above was actually from a 4 way shootout from the short lived magazine called Hot Cars. This 1970 test ran a Chevelle LS6, Stage 1 GS, 442 W-30, and a 455 GTO. The magazine ripped the GTO for being fat and overated, and they were disappointed that there wasn't a 455 RAIV from Pontiac when the other makes had stepped up their powerplants for 1970. Still, the tame 455 GTO, with a/c, was only a tenth behind the W-30 442, which had manual steering, manual brakes, and a 3.91 gear.

In the real world, I still feel the 70 455 had the edge over the RAIII, but I wouldn't bet the farm on it. It would be close enough that it would come down to drivers and tuning, even lane conditions. But I feel the extra 55 cubes, and extra torque, would put a fender or two on the RAIII.

[Steve_Hoog]

I have to back StealthBird on this.

[442w30]

Most of the old road tests still show the RAIII having better times overall. And go to the Pure Stock races and you'll see the RAIII cars turning better times.

What were the times that all the cars turned in Hot Cars? I used to have an issue or two but they were not as interesting as Cars magazine.