CLEVELAND, OH — Gearheads all over the planet knew the Pontiac GTO was a serious performance car.
Problem was, so did insurance companies.
To combat rising insurance rates and capture a growing demand for low-buck performance cars like Plymouth’s Road Runner, Pontiac launched the GT-37.
What is a GT-37, you ask?
First, let’s explain the T-37.
It was the lowest Pontiac A-body trim, essentially a stripper Tempest model. During its 1970-71 production run, the T-37 was General Motor’s lowest-price midsize hardtop—good for fleet duty and budget-conscious drivers.
The GT-37 was the performance variant of the T-37, equipped with a Muncie 3-speed floor shifter, the GTO’s exhaust system, hood pins, rally wheels, and special badges and stripes.
In 1970, you had your choice of three Pontiac V8 engines, the venerable Pontiac 350 with 255 horsepower, or a pair of 400s rated at 265 or 345 hp. In 1971, the engine lineup shifted to the 255 hp Pontiac 350, a 300 hp Pontiac 400, plus new 455 motors making north of 335 ponies.
The GT-37 was a bonafide “sleeper” GTO, giving Pontiac an affordable performance car.
More importantly, the GT-37 stayed off insurance companies’ radars.
Chevrolet got into the budget performance wars too with the Heavy Chevy Chevelle.
We stumbled across this stunning 1971 Pontiac GT-37 at the recent Summit Racing Equipment I-X Piston Powered Auto-Rama in Cleveland, part of the Summit Racing Show Car Series.
We talked to the owner, Chris, from the nearby suburb of Columbia Station, OH. He recently acquired the car, and was quick to give us a pretty in-depth history of the GT-37 package.
He picked up the car at a show in North Carolina, he said, gesturing to an old, framed dealership postcard.
“That’s my car in the picture,” Chris said, pointing to a GT-37 in the vintage dealer flyer.
Chris’ car has the original, numbers-matching Pontiac 350 c.i.d. engine backed by the Muncie three-speed. He said that his car’s configuration is rare by GT-37 standards, with only 1,582 similar models leaving the factory so-equipped.
Even with 135,000 miles on the clock, the car has never been repainted, save for a few minor touch-ups.
Though it’s wearing aftermarket wheels, Chris assures us that the rest will remain stock, and that he plans on driving his Pontiac—a lot.
Good thing he’s saving a ton of money on his car insurance.
…
Would love to talk to Chris about his Beautiful car because I believe it is the only other one besides my late Brother John’s GT-37 !!! My brother John Sawruk worked with John DeLorean at GM and begged him to build this car when a Large Auto Plant strike had ended in the middle of 1971!!! They got permission to build it but only in a limited run until factories were retooled for 1972 model production!!! My Late great brother John is currently going to be inducted into the NEW PONTIAC HALL OF FAME in Valley Forge PA on June 30th, 2018. John is going in as Prominent Pontiac Engineer./Pontiac Ambassador/and OFFICIAL GM PONTIAC HISTORIAN!!! The car actually has Michigan registration that lists it as a 1971 and a half model year!!! COOL!!! Chriss Car ROCKS!!!
I too own a 1971 1/2 GT 37. Mine is a cardinal red model with a 400 big block and an automatic transmission. I bel ieve it to be highly optioned as it has the hood tach and rear spoiler, both factory optioned as I have the original build sheet from pontiac engineering. My car was originally sold in Richmound, British Columbia and now resides in Cut Knife, Saskatchewan.
Id love to see the PHS because I’ve never heard of any Pontiac besides a judge with a factory wing besides the 72 dovetail
My father also has an original 1971 GT-37 with a 350 and 2 barrel carb (medium blue original paint). Been garaged for the last 20 years, but needs some TLC to get back on the road. I’m looking to restore it, and I would love to upgrade the carburetor and get everything back in perfect working order. I would greatly appreciate some guidance. Located in NJ.
Hi Darryl,
My name is Scott,
I recently came across a GT37 for sale and I didn’t know much about the car so I started researching them and came across your post.
I would be interested in seeing pictures of it and all the options it came with. Not sure if its for sale but I would be interested if it was.
Not sure if you will get this message but I hope to hear back from you.
I am from Warman, Sask.
I have a restored 1971 T-37
All original body and interior in mint condition not a spec of rust
Period Correct Pontiac YX 400 ci engine
TH 350 Trans
Modified with pontiac correct performance parts.
I can send you a list of specs and documentation and pics if you are interested.
Email me if you are interested at
burdijoe@gmail.com
Gary
I would love to talk to you. I also own a 71 1/2 GT-37. It is similar to your Brother John’s car. I bought it from a local Pontiac dealer in MW Iowa as a Demo. It is Black with the gold stripe and white interior. I have not been active in the hobby for years, but I did research and subscribed to the clubs and magazines, so I have all the articles. I was fortunate to talk with your brother on the phone years ago and I have mail correspondence from him. ( the white interior very rare ) Was sorry to hear of his passing, I have two copies of his print hanging on my wall.
Sorry for the late response to the post, I still have the car and it is a bit rough, but unrestored original condition.
I would love to visit with you. Feel free to contact me. Larry DeJongh 507-215-1748. I live in SW Minnesota. Thanks.
I had a black with gold strip GT-37 but mine had a black interior
Mine was a 350 with 3speed manual.
Would love to find one.
Have an original 1970 GT-37 purchased New in early 1970. One owner car, with original 86,700 miles. Was one of the first 300 built with a 1969 HO Firebird engine (YP code) 350/335 hp. Dual air snorkel/ de-clutching fan/ 4 core radiator, Power Drum brakes, Power steering, Dual- exhaust, Black/Red/White sward strips on the side. Ordered it with a Turbo 350, 3 speed HD Auto transmission.” Opted for 3:90 Posi-Traction rear end. ” Car was repainted in 1995 with the Original Granada Gold paint (Base coat/Clear coat) Interior is Gold.
Note: DeLorean stopped production after 300 were built in OSHAWA, ONTARIO-Canada ” Told his engineers he didn’t want an HO 350 engine in a 400/455 world!” The car weighs 3250 lbs. with this 350/335hp. HO Firebird engine. (Compression 10.5 to 1) The balance of 1119, GT-37 built there, had 350/ 2-barrel carbs rated at 255 hp. (9.0 to1 compression)” Only two like mine are registered in the United States and Canada.”
Very rare vehicle, in show car condition… asking $38,900 dollars for this one owner vehicle. “If interested contact me with your email, at griffin8237@hotmail .com. Have lots of photo’s If you are not interested pass it along to anybody who may be interested. Ben
There’s a load of hokum with that story. There’s no 350 HO built in 1970.
What part of mn are you from? I bought a gt37 a yr ago and I also live in southern mn.
Hi My name is Bob Parker. I live in Gresham, Oregon. Just outside of Portland, Oregon. I just bought a 1971 GT-37. Dark green exterior with white vinyl top and white sword stripe reflective decal with the 350/350 set up. Does anyone have any idea how many of the Sword reflective strip decals were built. Does anyone know the highest
Vin number in existance.
Hi Robert Parker here I believe I have the last built 1971 1/2 Pontiac GT-37. Looking for build dates from any GT-37 owners out there. thanks
Contact Pontiac Historical Services, they can confirm that for you.
Cheers!
I also own a 1971 1/2 GT-37. Mine is Lucerne Blue, 400 c.i. with a 4 speed (not original). I have the silver full length sword stripes. At the 2004 GTOAA National Convention in Detroit, John Sawruk signed the inside of my trunk lid, something I will always cherish.
I tried to buy a GT-37 when I returned from Vietnam, but none were available because of the strike according to the salesman, so I went up the street and bought a Cuda AAR with 4K miles on it. Anyway, for those that have these cars…Why do you refer to your car as a 1971 1/2? I thought there was a 1970 1/2 and then a 1971 model. Please help me understand.
The rarest 71 is the early 71 with the eyebrow stripes only available in the first six months of 71 then changed to the full length khife blade stripes I own a very rare early 71 black on black with eyebrow stripes 350 2brl 4speed 140 mph speedo and tach
I owned a red 1970 1/2 GT-37. My vin # on the title showed 350 4 barrel. All the mechanics who looked at the car said the block was a 400 cubic inch, and it ran like one. They were only built for two years. My car had the judge stripe, hood pins & quad exhaust pipes. Also it was a three speed automatic on the column. I bought it in Evansville, IN in 1973. My car was from Pontiac Michigan. I paid $1800.00. What a deal. Sad part – I sold the car to a 17 year old teenager. Short time later he totalled the car by hitting a telephone pole. I have dreamt many times of about the car. Often I look on eBay but hard to find another one. I am thankful to have least owned one.
Jake, that was my thought too. I had a 1971 GT-37 that I purchased in 1995 for $1,200 in Apache Junction AZ. I didn’t realize what I had. I pulled the 350 cid and after some searching i found, built and installed a 428 out of a 1971 Grand Prix. Due to an accident(to me, not the car)I had to sell it to pay bills while I couldn’t work. That was in 2004. I regret selling it to this day.
I put a 69 428 in my 68 GTO. What a car, I accidentally bought the 428 from a junkyard it came out of a 69 Grand Prix. Took me a while to get it straighten out. Bring back the goat . What was the horsepower on that motor?
This was the first car I had growing up. I loved that car. Got clocked doing 160 down highway. 1979 I was 16. The cops said o crap you’re Norman Winters daughter. Didn’t give me a ticket. My dad was deputy sheriff.
Used to sit downhill and watch for people to slow down once lights hit metallic strip. So much fun
LaVonne
I’m looking for a 1971 Pontiac GT 37 I use to own one a long time ago
Greetings I have 71.5 GT-37 convertible ac,pdb,cc,350/400HP,B&M turbo 400,355 12bolt,dual remote sport mirrors,rear swaybar,headers,buckets B&M starshifter 7000$
Jim, sorry to inform you ZERO Gt-37 cars were manufactured in convertible in either 70 or 71.
Correct there weren’t any GT-37 convertibles or right remote mirror or 400HP 350ci I am the second owner and couldn’t get rid of the bench seat quick enough. Jim. Ps convertible parts courtesy of a Buick Skylark.
So I am really late in this thread but my 1971 GT 37 had buckets put in later as it has the connection for column auto shift. When I pulled the seats it was obvious from the chisel damage that someone switched it to floor shift. I have the build sheet found on the gas tank and PHS documentation confirming GT option ordered. It has had a repaint and when I removed the doors there is a leftover of a tri stripe folded to the inside. Been a long project but on going. Alberta. Canada
You want more rare look up a the variants that dealers made of this car. They could order these and brand them to the dealer like Yenko did.
One was the Mangnum 400 from Kanafel Pontiac in Akron Ohio.
https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/akron-apparition-1970-pontiac-tempest-magnum-400
These were rare even back then. The dealer owner had strong racing ties to Pontiac and John Delorean who made sure they got all the hood cars.
They ran the famed Tin Indian GTO as well as some racing Tempest with 421 SD and the Catalina SD.
Arlen Vanke, Dic Dixson, Arnie Bestwick, and Bill Abraham all drove for the team at one time. Arlen and Doc even would build customer cars during the week and race Super Stock on weekends.
The dealer was only about 10 min from where Summit Racings Headquarters is today.
I have a Black 1971 1/2 GT-37, white interior. bought as a Demo from a local Pontiac dealer.
Still own it, in unrestored condition,
Would love to hear from anyone with a Black 71 1-2 GT-37??
Contact me at 507-215-1748 Larry DeJongh
Chris has a beautiful car! I just can’t get over how great the paint looks, especially with 135k miles on it! I’m glad to see he’s planning on driving it some. Enjoy it Chris!
I owned a 1971 GT 37 back in 1972 until 1974. I was 16 years old and had it until I joined the Army. A day doesn’t go by that I kick myself for selling it. All the time I had it, I never saw another one. 350ci 2bbl 3spd. Copper brown, gold stripes black interior. I am retired now, and looking for another one. Between my wife and I, we have owned over 65 cars. The GT37 was by far my favorite. If there are any gearheads out there that know where I can find one, please drop me a note.
i own a limekist green 71 t-37 2 door post which i purchased from the original owner in 2000. it was a plane-jane model with tattered cloth interior so i changed it over to bucket seats and i added a 400 block that i rebuilt myself with original heads- i still have the 350. i added a muncie m20 and factory clock and formula wheel. it runs a 70 quadrajet and intake and runs on pertronix 2. heavy front and rear sway bars were added along with power disk brakes. i restored the body myself, it was pretty rough but it looks great now. no one in 24 years in the area has one which is pretty cool.
i’m always open to conversation and comments and i can offer someone advice if possible. pretty cool cars!