Pontiac GTO

The Pontiac GTO was a muscle car from Pontiac manufactured from 1964 to 1974. Many consider it to be the first true muscle car, since it was the first based on a mid-size platform rather than the full-size cars that earlier performance models had been based on.

Pontiac got the name from Ferrari's GTO (Grand Turismo Omologato), although fans of the car sometimes maintained that it meant "GreaT One."

1964

At first, the GTO was a performance option on the mid-size Pontiac Tempest, an extra $300 in 1964. The standard engine was a 389 cubic inch (6.4 litre) V8, with a 4-barrel carburetor for 325 bhp (242 kW) or an optional Tri-Power option (three two-barrel carburetors), for 348 bhp (260 kW). Expected sales were 5,000; 32,450 were actually sold.

1965

Such success meant an improved GTO for 1965, restyled with stacked headlights; the fake hood scoops could be turned into a functional ram-air induction setup. Power was up (to 360 bhp (268 kW) in Tri-Power form) and so were sales, to 75,342.

1966

1966's GTO was its own model series, no longer an option on the Tempest. The car was again restyled, the rear haunches gaining that distinctive late-60s 'coke-bottle' hump while the front end continued the evolution of Pontiac's signature stacked headlight styling. Sales were 96,946. In mid-year the Tri-Power option was dropped due to a corporate-wide edict against multiple carburetion in all GM vehicles (Corvette excepted). To make up for the loss of the Tri-Power option, 1967 saw the engine grow to 400 cubic inches (6.6 litres) and an HO version which matched the previous Tri-Power equipped engine's rating. Sales were 81,722.

1968

In 1968, the car was all-new, based on GM's new "A-body" and heavier than the previous year's models. There appeared to be no front bumper whatsoever; actually, the grille surround and front was made of a body-colored rubber compound called an Endura bumper. Hidden headlights were a popular option. It won the Motor Trend Car of the Year award, and sales were 87,684.

1969

1969 saw the launch of a new 'Judge' model of GTO, featuring a more powerful engine, bright paint colors, a rear spoiler, and decals. Optional on both regular and Judge models was a Ram Air IV engine said by the factory to deliver 370 bhp (276 kW) but in actuality significantly more powerful than that. Increased insurance premiums were beginning to hit the muscle car market hard, and manufacturers were starting to under-report horsepower. Sales that year were 72,287.

1970s

1970's GTO featured a restyled front end featuring four exposed round headlamps and a narrower grille, as well as a bodyside crease and restyled rear. A 455 cubic inch (7.5 litre) engine was added to the range. Sales were down to 40,149 as the muscle car market started to decline. This decline became terminal in 1971 - only 10,532 GTOs were built that year. Power was down, thanks to emissions regulations and the mandated use of unleaded lower-octane gasoline. From 1972, the GTO became just an option package, first on the Pontiac LeMans and in 1974, the GTO's last year, the compact Pontiac Ventura. The very muscle car concept was dying off, and these cars sold quite poorly indeed.

2004

The Pontiac GTO has been relaunched in the United States in late 2003 using a rebadged Holden Monaro, imported from Australia and equipped with the C5 Chevrolet Corvette's LS1 V8 engine. The same model is sold in the United Kingdom as a Vauxhall. The car has been revised for its 2005 model year with optional hood scoops and the C6 Chevrolet Corvette's new LS2 V8 engine which produces over 400 hp. A special version of the vehicle participates in drifting competitions.