A cruise down Woodward Ave.
No man is more emblematic, more closely associated with America’s first true musclecar, the Pontiac GTO, than Jim Wangers. Sure, Wangers didn’t invent the car, that credit goes to John DeLorean and his assistants Bill Collins and Russ Gee, but Wangers was certainly the man responsible for the mystique that surrounds the GTO today.
DeLorean moved on but it was Wangers, who for decades has carried the GTO flag traveling to events around the country rallying Pontiac enthusiasts in support of the beloved GTO. Affectionately termed the “Godfather of the GTO” for his tireless efforts, it is said that Wangers blood is Type “P” Positive as he bleeds Pontiac Blue.
Though responsible for putting the “ringer” 1964 GTO—yes, powered by a 421—in the hands of Car and Driver for the infamous “GTO vs. GTO” magazine test, Wangers is quick to respond, “The ’69 Judge!” when asked his favorite GTO. With its Carousel Red (bright orange) paint and pop art stripping, The Judge was ahead of its time.
At 83 years young, Wangers is still at it! Yes, Wangers is out in front of another great GTO—The Jim Wangers Signature Edition 1969 GTO—built to run right alongside today’s modern supercars. Wangers has lent his name and support to Big 3 Performance who is bringing to market this “new” supercar GTO hidden beneath the skin of a 1969 GTO. As expected, Wangers has a few ideas up his sleeve regarding this “new” great one.
Designed to compete with today’s supercars, the Jim Wangers Signature Edition GTO is all new from the ground up. Constructed on a new chassis from the award winning Roadster Shop and fitted with a DSE C6 Corvette front suspension, a triangulated 4-bar rear suspension and sporting Jim Wangers Signature Wilwood brakes at all four corners this car is built to handle the most demanding road courses—even LA Freeways. Situated between the frame rails is a Butler Performance 505 cubic inch fuel injected traditional Pontiac V8 backed by a Viper spec TR6060 6-speed transmission running power through a 3.73 geared Ford 9-inch. The Jim Wangers Signature Edition Rally II wheels by HRE rolling stock of 19” x 10” up front and 20” x 12” in the rear impressively put the power to the ground!
Not only does this car perform, it styles too! Utilizing original 1969 GTO bodies, the styling is updated with an aggressive front air dam, custom mess grilles with updated electric hide-away headlights and HID headlamps. A custom fully functional Ram Air hood directs fresh air to the big 505. Out back, a custom ducktail spoiler replaces the original sandwich board and a custom flush bumper cover gives those left behind a great view that includes custom LED taillights and a blacked out rear panel.
As one would expect, the interior is built for both function and comfort. A complete custom interior is built around a pair of Recaro full power, heated and cooled leather Orthoped front seats. Custom door panels and the rear seat are styled to match the front buckets in high quality leather with custom top stitching matching the car’s exterior color. Complete instrumentation provides the driver with critical performance data a quick glance. Power windows, power door locks, keyless entry and a killer sound system as well as modern air conditioning and heating are all standard on the Jim Wangers Signature Edition.
Finally—the styling is topped off with special Jim Wangers Signature Edition badges and a refreshed striping package to give the car its menacing look—“Don’t mess with me, cause I’ll blow your doors off!”
Chassis & Drivetrain
Roadster Shop custom fabricated chassis
DSE C6 Corvette front suspension
Large diameter triangulated 4-bar rear suspension
Ford 9" rear end with 373 gears
6-piston front Wilwood Brake Package with Jim Wangers etched Signature Edition calipers
4-piston read Wilwood Brake Package with Jim Wangers etched Signature Edition calipers
505 cubic inch Butler Performance Pontiac engine with FAST electronic fuel injection, IA2 cast iron block (aluminum block optional) with CNC ported Edelbrock aluminum cylinder heads
Custom long tube headers with dual exhaust
Viper spec TR6060 6-speed transmission
High performance clutch and aluminum flywheel
Heavy duty scatter shield type bell housing
Shaved engine bay
Interior
Recaro full power heated and cooled leather Orthoped front seats
Rear leather seat styled to match front buckets
Custom door panels
Interior treatment to modernize the overall appearance
Interior wrapped in high quality leather with custom stitching
Power windows
Power locks
Keyless entry
Custom Dash with Auto Meter Classic Edition gauge package
Modern Air Conditioning & Heating
Audio/visual package with touch screen navigation
CD player
Amps/Speakers and Crossovers
Exterior
Custom fiberglass functional Ram Air hood
Custom fiberglass functional front air dam
Custom front mesh grilles with upgraded hideaway headlight mechanisms
HID headlamps
Projector style fog lamps
Shaved drip molding
Shaved key lock
Custom fiberglass rear ducktail spoiler
Custom taillight assemblies
Custom rear blackout panel
Custom flush mount fiberglass rear bumper cover
Refreshed striping package with billet Judge emblems & Jim Wangers Signature Edition badges
Jim Wangers Signature Edition custom billet Rally II 3-piece wheels by HRE; 19” x 10” front wheels and 20” x 12” rear wheels
