U be the JUDGE

Charles · #1 10-31-2003, 12:07 AM

There has been a lot of talk here about names-famous and otherwise and just who controls their use. The seduction of many by nostalga continues with people using the past to further their positon today. General Motors among others has developed a heritage with products today that reflect past glories. Though sadly for them they don't control 50% of the domestic market the way they used to. Their "JUDGE" model name is immediately linked with the famous 1969 Pontiac GTO. But today it is a different story with SLP Engineering registering the "JUDGE" name and the slogan "here comes the judge" for their own use on a new Pontiac GTO hi-performance version based on the Holden OZ car. How does the "421 JUDGE" sound? Not good if you are General Motors and especially if the Pontiac faithful have been roasting the pale shadow that GM is trying to present as the "HOT" GTO. GM thinks they own the "JUDGE" name because it is associated with a product they sold in the past but have not supported in a meaningful way in over three decades. In time honoured tradition there will be special performance versions of the new GTO following the initial introduction of a new model but what will the General call them? Perhaps a real "judge" will have to make that call.

GTO_DON · #2 10-31-2003, 01:18 AM

THEY SHOULD LEAVE IT ALONE. THAT CAR WAS A SIGN OF THE TIMES. ITS NEVER GOING TO BE 1969 AGAIN!! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/scholar.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif[/img]

JoeG · #3 10-31-2003, 07:03 AM

The 1969 Judge ,not just a name, but the "Real Deal" --a complete package of styling and performance.The cars back then would make you smile just looking at them.Today G.M is trying to make the public smile with a legends name and castor oil styling--I remember taking castor-oil, it didn't make me smile it made me "Wince".---JoeG

DarrenX33 · #4 10-31-2003, 12:18 PM

Geez. Almost as bad as when they were going to put the GTO name on the Grand Am of the late 80's. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Chevy454 · #5 10-31-2003, 12:21 PM

Well, whoever takes on the task of the new GTO is gonna have their work cut out for them, because that thing is a PIG. It's over 3800 pounds without driver, and is essentially the same LS-1 that debuted in '97. The LS-1 is a pretty good mill, but it's gonna take a pretty good driver to get it very far into the 13s, which is a FAR CRY from what Ford and Dodge are doing. Gm is making it hard for me to stay brand loyal with some of the crap they are churning out...

**Jeff H** · #6 10-31-2003, 02:10 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Gm is making it hard for me to stay brand loyal with some of the crap they are churning out...

[/ QUOTE ]

That's the same thing a lot of people are saying over at the SS454 message board. Ford has the Cobra and Lightning which are real performance vehicles. GM has the GTO(Holden) and Silverado SS(5200 lbs, AWD, $40K+ sticker price). GM has their heads up their butttt.

mike32 · #7 10-31-2003, 07:22 PM

I WOULD THINK THAT THE GTO JUDGE WOULD BE SOMEWHAT OF AN AMERICAN ICON AND SHOULD BE USED ONLY AS GENERAL MOTORS SEE'S FIT WHEN IT COMES TO PUTTING THE NAME ON A PONTIAC. AS FAR AS NOT SUPPORTING THE NAME IN MANY YEARS, I BELIEVE GM HAS GIVEN LISENCE TO REPRODUCTION COMPANIES TO RE-MAKE ACCURATE PART'S FOR USE IN CORRECT RESTORATIONS. I WOULD CONSIDER THAT SUPPORTING THE EARLY CARS. IT IS TOO BAD GM CAN'T (WILL NOT?) BUILD AN AFFORDABLE PERFORMANCE CAR FOR THE PERFORMANCE MINDED.