Collecting Model Cars

Archive for the ‘Pontiac’ Category

Pontiac GTO

The Pontiac GTO built by Pontiac in the United States from 1964 to 1974, and also in Australia from 2004 to 2006. Some considered it to be the first true muscle car.

The (Gran Turismo Omologato) GTO was the creation of Pontiac engineer Russell Gee, engine specialist, Bill Collins, chassis engineer, and Pontiac chief engineer John De Lorean. In early 1963, General Motors management banned the Pontiac division from involvement in auto racing. Back then, Pontiac's advertising and marketing approach was based on performance, and racing was an important component of that strategy. A way to retain the performance image was cultivated with a new focus on street performance. This was achieved by transforming the upcoming redesigned Pontiac Tempest into a "Super Tempest" with the larger 389 CID (6.5 L) Pontiac V8 engine from the full-sized Pontiac Catalina and Bonneville to replace the standard 326 CID (5.3 L) Tempest V8.

The GTO got its name from DeLorean, it was inspired by the Ferrari 250 GTO, the highly successful race car. The acronym for (Gran Turismo Omologato) GTO, is Italian for homologated for racing in the Grand tourer class.

GM’s policy of limiting the A-body line to 330 ci or less put the GTO in violation of the rules. Pontiac got away with it by offering the GTO as an option and not considered as standard equipment. So it kind of slipped through as a loophole in the policy.

We owe our thanks to “Pete” Estes for approving the GTO. Sales manager Frank Bridge limited the first production to 5000 cars thinking it would be a failure. If the car was not such a huge success “Pete” more than likely would have gotten a strong reprimand. But huge success the Pontiac GTO turned out to be.

So in 1964 as an options package for the Pontiac LeMans the Pontiac GTO was introduced. Two models of the GTO were available a convertible and a two door coupe. And for a whopping $296.00 you could get a 389 ci V8 with chromed valve covers and air cleaner. Hurst three on the floor shifter, hood scoops and the GTO badges. For a little more money a four speed and “tri-Power carburetion was available. You could get the GTO with the best of every option for about $4,500 dollars.

The Pontiac GTO makes a great addition to anyone’s collection of the muscle car era. With GM dropping the Pontiac line all together will make the models and the real cars even more collectible. We have provided some of the top listings of GTO kits.

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The Pontiac Firebird

We have four generations of the Pontiac Firebird built by the Pontiac division of General Motors between 1967 and 2002. The Firebird was introduced the same year as its cousin, the Chevrolet Camaro. This happened to provide good competition with the release of the 1967 Mercury Cougar, a cousin with another pony car, the Ford Mustang.

The Pontiac Firebirds were, for the most part, powered by various V8 engines of different GM divisions. They were mostly Pontiac-powered until 1977. Pontiac Firebirds were powered with several different engines from most all of the GM division until 1982 when all Pontiac engines were dropped in favor of corporate units.
First Generation Pontiac Firebirds (1967–1969)

In the first generation of the Pontiac Firebirds they had what was referred to “coke bottle” styling. The bumpers were integrated into the design of both front and rear. The “slit” tail lights inspired by the Pontiac GTO all served to make is different than its cousin the Chevrolet Camaro. The Firebirds were produced in a convertible and the hardtop coupe. Pontiac wanted the Firebird to be a two-seat sports car based on their concept car the Banshee. GM shot this idea down not wanting any competition for the Corvette.

With some disappointment at management's decision, Pontiac went about re-making the F-body in their image with both styling and engineering changes.

The Firebirds styling difference from the 1967 to the 1968 model was adding the Federally-mandated side marker lights. The front of the car and the blinkers were made larger and extended to wrap around the front, and on the rear, the Pontiac (V-shaped) Arrowhead logo was added to each side.

Pontiac stopped using wing vent windows and started using single panes on the doors. The 1969 model with a major facelift came with a new front end design made of an Endura bumper housing the headlights and grilles. In the cabin there was a revised instrument panel and steering wheel. The ignition switch was moved from the dashboard to the steering column with the introduction of GM's new locking ignition switch/steering wheel.

To date the Pontiac Firebird power options have been interesting. From the first inline 6 cylinder all the way to the famous 400 CID (6.6 L) V8 the power options provided some rubber burning excitement over the years.

Model manufactures over the years have produced many different Firebirds to add to your collections. Indy pace cars to the famous Smokey and Bandit Firebird Tran-Am will make nice additions to any collection.

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