1970 Pontiac Judge "Captain America"

In 2001, he brought the Pontiac to Ryan Kowal at Little Falls Auto Body in Little Falls, New Jersey, to address the body and paint. A reproduction hood was installed, and previously removed replacement fenders, doors, and decklid were rebolted on; then the body was stripped, smoothed, and primed with PPG NCP 250 High Build. After blocking and wet-sanding with 320-grit followed by 500-grit, PPG NCS 2003 Sealer in white was shot. Next, painter Pete DeGraw applied three coats of PPG DCC single-stage urethane in Polar White to duplicate the factory color. After wet-sanding with 1,500-grit, followed by 2,500-, the paint was polished with 3M Compound Extra Cut and Perfect-It 3 Machine Glaze.

Next the shop installed a properly painted N.O.S. Endura bumper, front and rear spoilers, a rear valance, and a rechromed rear bumper from Ames Performance. Finally, the stainless trim was polished and reinstalled.

Meanwhile, Jeff sent the numbers-matching Ram Air III to Ceralli Competition Engines in Paterson, which bored the block 0.030 over, retained the stock crank but cut it 0.010/0.010, and added 6.625-inch Eagle forged rods and Speed Pro 4.15-inch forged pistons. The heads were treated to stainless steel valves, a three-angle valve job, and Crower valvesprings. At the owner's request, Ceralli also installed a Crower cam with 221/229-duration at 0.050 and 0.455/0.470-inch lift. A set of Taylor wires augments the otherwise stock ignition system.

Jeff and friend Paul Tecza then detailed and reinstalled the engine, along with reproduction Ram Air exhaust manifolds, 2.5-inch pipes, and Ultra Flo mufflers. The factory M21 was treated to a Centerforce Dual-Friction clutch, and the special-order 3.90-geared Safe-T-Track rear was rebuilt.

Stage 1 Automotive in Pompton Plains rebuilt the suspension to mostly stock specs, but added modern KYB gas shocks, upgrading to power steering in the process. The factory 1.125-inch-front and 0.875-inch-rear stabilizer bars were retained.

Jeff says when he purchased his Judge, the interior was original, but it had weathered over the years. He asked Falls Automotive Specialties in Little Falls to install new seat covers, door panels, a headliner, and carpet sourced from Ames, and a dash pad and console restored by Just Dashes. The stock Rally gauges and steering wheel were retained, but the Hurst shifter was rebuilt and rechromed by Pete Serio. A correct AM/FM radio was mounted in the dash, and Jeff's friend Pete Sole painted the A-pillars red to complete the interior restoration.

For the final stage, Pete applied a correct Judge decal and stripe package sourced from Phoenix Graphix. "It looked incredible when it was done," Jeff says.

Conclusion
"The '70 Judge is a testament to the times," Jeff says, and like most Pontiac hobbyists, he's dedicated to making it last forever. "I think the key to longevity is a great restoration and committed upkeep. First, you need a good paintjob that's going to hold up to the ravages of time, even if you keep your Pontiac in the garage like I do. You also need a reputable machine shop to do a good engine rebuild, and spend the extra money to get forged rods and pistons. Then you have to maintain a level of care commensurate with the restoration throughout your ownership.

"I keep my Judge clean and waxed, change the fluids regularly, and use a good oil like Brad Penn. I also keep it garaged with a good car cover on it. If you ask me why I want it to last forever, it's because I don't think you will ever see anything built that looks like this again. It represents the musclecar and psychedelic era well with the colors and stripes, and keeping it looking good and in top condition is something that I'm very proud of."

Based upon Jeff's level of care for his Judge, hobbyists need not worry that Captain America will fall into disrepair.