Look. We’ve all been there. You’re staring at a text from Lester Crest, your bank account is looking pathetic, and the "Big Score" is finally happening. But then the game hits you with the most annoying scavenger hunt in Los Santos history. You need three specific muscle cars. Not just any cars, but Bravado Gauntlets that you have to steal and modify to carry millions in gold bars.
Sure, you could just buy them on Southern San Andreas Super Autos for $32,000 a pop. But who has $96k to blow when you’re literally trying to rob the Union Depository because you're broke?
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Finding a reliable GTA 5 Gauntlet locations map is basically a rite of passage for any player doing the "Subtle" approach. If you chose the "Obvious" approach with the drill and the helicopters, congrats, you can skip this headache. But for those of us trying to be professional thieves, you’ve got work to do. Lester sends you three cryptic emails with grainy photos. If you don't know the map of San Andreas like the back of your hand, you'll be driving in circles for hours.
Where the first Gauntlet is hiding in Rockford Hills
The first car is stashed in Rockford Hills. It's parked right on the top level of a multi-story parking garage. Honestly, it’s one of the easier ones to find if you know the area near the Portola Drive high-end shops. Think of where the Vangelico jewelry store is from the first heist. It's tucked away in a spot that feels almost too quiet for a car theft.
When you get to the top floor, you'll see it tucked into a corner spot. It’s a metallic grey/silver color. One thing people usually mess up is the exit. Don’t just go flying off the roof—though it’s tempting. Take it slow, get it to Los Santos Customs.
Wait. Before you move, remember that the game won't let you just park these in your garage and call it a day. You have to take them to the LSC branch specified in the mission markers to get the "Heist Prep" modifications. This includes the reinforced suspension and the heavy-duty engine. Without those, the gold will literally crush the car. It's a physics thing. Kind of.
The Pillbox Hill location is a total pain
The second Gauntlet is in Pillbox Hill. This is the one that usually makes people pull their hair out. It’s parked right in the middle of a bunch of skyscrapers. Specifically, look for the "Pillbox Hill" label on your map and find the parking lot near the intersection of Vespucci Boulevard and Peace Street.
It’s sitting in a small, street-level parking lot surrounded by concrete walls. If you’re looking at the map, it’s south of the Mile High Club construction site (that building that has been under construction since 2013, seriously Rockstar, finish the building).
Once you grab this one, watch out for the traffic. Pillbox Hill is a nightmare for collisions, and if you beat the car up too much, you’ll have to pay more for repairs before the mods even start. Lester is cheap. He isn't footing the bill for your bad driving.
Mission Row: The third and final Gauntlet location
The final piece of the puzzle is in Mission Row. This one is tucked away in a parking zone right off the street. It’s arguably the easiest to spot because it’s not hidden on a roof or behind a complex structure. Look for the "Templar Hotel" or the general area east of the Legion Square park.
It’s usually a black Gauntlet with a red stripe, or sometimes a solid blue depending on your game's RNG. You’ll find it parked in a nose-in spot right on the sidewalk level.
What most people get wrong about the mods
Here is the thing. Most players think they can just put a spoiler on it and be done. Nope. You have to enter the Los Santos Customs and look for the specific "Heist Prep" category.
- The mods cost about $11,000 per car.
- You need the bulletproof tires (obviously).
- The gold-plating is purely aesthetic, don't waste your money if you're tight on cash.
- The engine tunes actually help because the car becomes incredibly heavy once the gold is loaded.
If you don't have the $11,000 per car, you're stuck. Go do a side mission or mug some people in Vespucci Beach. You cannot progress the final heist until all three cars are sitting in the hidden lockup.
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Why the Gauntlet map matters more than buying them
You might be thinking, "I'll just buy them." Don't. Finding them in the world is the intended experience, and honestly, the dialogue between the characters is better if you actually do the legwork. Plus, finding these specific spawn points helps you learn the layout of the city for the actual getaway.
The getaway route for the Big Score involves some tight tunnels and high-speed highway merges. If you've spent the time driving from Rockford Hills to the mod shop and then to the hideout, you'll have a much better feel for how the Gauntlet handles. It's a heavy muscle car. It slides. It has massive oversteer. You don't want to learn that while the Five-Star police response is breathing down your neck.
The exact map coordinates for the completionists
For those who need the nitty-gritty:
- Rockford Hills: North-west of the map's center, look for the "P" icon for the parking garage near the high-end clothes store.
- Pillbox Hill: Almost dead center of the city, just a block away from the Ammu-Nation with the firing range.
- Mission Row: Eastern side of the downtown core, near the police station. Ironically.
Finalizing the setup
After you’ve grabbed all three, you’ll get a prompt to take them to a storage unit. This is where the game saves your progress for the heist. If you lose a car after modifying it but before delivering it, you are out of luck and out of money. Drive carefully.
Once the cars are stashed, Lester will give you the green light. You’re ready for the Union Depository.
Next Steps for the Big Score
Before you trigger the final mission, make sure your crew's stats are leveled up. If you picked a cheap driver for the Gauntlets, they might crash during the getaway, and you will literally see gold bars flying out onto the highway. It’s heartbreaking. Check your armor and ammo one last time. If you’ve followed the map and got the cars in place, the hard part of the prep is over. Now you just have to survive the most iconic heist in the game.