Saving a 1969 Pontiac GTO "Judge" Barn Find from a North Iowa Barn

Barn Find Discovery and Initial Assessment

• 💡 A 1969 Pontiac GTO "Judge" is pulled from a barn in North Iowa, marking the final car from an abandoned farm property.
• 🎯 The car is noted as being very complete but covered in significant amounts of poop and dirt, making the initial extraction challenging due to the conditions and cold weather.
• 🔑 While appearing to be a GTO Judge, it's suspected to be a "Lemons" clone due to its four-speed transmission, bench seat, and missing rear end, with a history suggesting it might have been built as a tribute.

Mechanical and Electrical Revival Efforts

• ⚙️ The engine, a suspected Pontiac 400 with a four-barrel carburetor, is found to be surprisingly free-spinning despite its condition.
• ⚡ Initial attempts to get power to the cab are hampered by an unplugged main harness, but after reconnecting it, the starter chatters, indicating some electrical function.
• 🔥 After addressing wiring issues, sanding the points, and using a temporary fuel system, the engine starts and runs, producing significant smoke.

Interior Cleaning and Initial Repairs

• 🧼 The interior is heavily contaminated with mouse nests and debris, necessitating a thorough cleaning process, including removing the dash and HVAC components.
• 🛠️ Floor pan rust is identified as a significant issue, leading to cutting out rusted sections and fabricating patch panels to prevent further deterioration.
• 🚗 The team discovers the car is actually a 1968 model, explaining why the dash had to be cut to fit the 1969 dash pad, and notes that the Le Mans tub appears more solid than the rest of the car.

Bodywork and Restoration Planning

• 🔩 With the interior cleaned and floor pans patched, the decision is made to proceed with a frame-off restoration due to the extent of rust and the car's potential.
• 🚧 Fenders are removed to address rust issues around the window channels and prepare for more extensive metalwork.
• 🚀 The video concludes with a plan to send the body for bodywork, the frame for powder coating, and to build a powerful Pontiac engine, aiming to transform the barn find into a fully restored GTO Judge.