(from the 1969 Hardtops Lot) The gold interior goes great with the Antique Gold paint. The front parking lights look white when off, but shine yellow when on (from yellow bulbs).
(from the 1969 Judges Lot) The tires are stuffed way up under the fenders. This car was being built for a while in 2009, but by 2010, the owner of Big3 Performance announced they are closing down. In the first quarter of 2010, Bob Cloud made this announcement on the company's website:"Big 3 Performance has suspended operations and is in the process of realigning and in some cases liquidating assets and winding up. Thank you for your patience and cooperation!"
Here is the timeline for the company's rise and fall:
September 2008 - The planning. Big3 Performance sent concept renderings to a select few people including Sean Mattingly for review and comments
November 2008 - Revised concept drawings released to the public. They looked GOOD!
July 2009 - Saw the frame of the car displayed at GTOAA/POCI Co-Vention in Dayton, Ohio
August 2009 - These photos are from Tri-Power Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio. The car was coming together, but had no interior in it yet.
September 2009 - Big3 Performance had an open house at their shop in Wisconsin with a sneak preview of the car
November 2009 - The car is completed and unveiled to the automotive press and car enthusiasts at the SEMA show in Las Vegas
January 2010 - Magazine HPP is testing the car in Gainesville.
February 2010 - HPP featured the car. Author Kevin DiOssi gushed: "When it comes down to it, this is the best GTO I have ever photographed, driven, or heard. It embodies what makes a GTO a GTO-power, style, and performance."
March 2010 - Along with a car show flyer, Jim Wangers reveals that the car will not make an appearance at the April show due to the dissolution of the company that makes the cars.
March 11, 2010 - Big3 Performance announces on their website that they have suspended operations
(from the 1969 Hardtops Lot) Antique Gold 1969 GTO hardtop owned by Joseph James from Burnt Hills, New York. Joseph tells us, "We bought the car new from Knowles Pontiac, Troy, New York in February 1969. It was our daily driver for seven years when I sold it for $1,000. In 1988, I was offered the same car back for $5,500. I performed a frame-off restoration in 1996. Won Concours d'Elegence at the POCI Convention in '98, and has won Concourse Gold at the GTOAA Nationals in '99 & '08. Also many at the GTOAA Regionals. It was featured in Hemmings Muscle Machines in October '06. It has been in three calendars and included in 'Standard Catalog of GTO' by John Gunnell."
(from the 1969 Hardtops Lot) Antique Gold 1969 GTO hardtop, left rear view.
(from the 1969 Judges Lot) The Carousel Red 1969 Judge hardtop in front is owned by Gregory Sereico. The one in back is Marv Schleichler's 1968 GTO convertible. This was our Picture Of The Week for 2-8-08. This photo was taken by Rick Henry from the balcony of his 10th floor apartment. It was taken prior to attending a cruise in Macungie Memorial Park in August of 2007. Gregory's Judge also made Picture Of The Week back in 1/15/06. He changed to Rally II wheels since then.
(from the 1969 Judges Lot) Limelight Green 1969 GTO Judge hardtop, left side view. I haven't seen too many green vinyl tops.
(from the 1969 Hardtops Lot) Red 1969 GTO hardtop, right front view.
(from the 1969 Judges Lot) Limelight Green 1969 GTO Judge hardtop, right rear view. Looks Great!
(from the 1969 Judges Lot) Carousel Red (Orange) 1969 Judge convertible owned by Jack Scott from Orwell, Ohio. This was our Picture Of The Week for 3-1-09. Jack's son, George, sent these in. It's a real Judge documented by PHS.
(from the 1969 Convertibles Lot) Scott sends us some additional shots of his red 1969 GTO convertible with his wife Lisa.