Model Pontiac GTO

27 Apr, 2009 Pontiac

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.