Valvoline.com

Highlights in the History of the Pontiac GTO

GTO (Gran Turismo Omologato—Grand Touring Homologated)

The GTO was born in 1964 as a result of Pontiac being forced out of active participation in racing. They needed a news-making product. It was created by the simple installation of a 389 cu. in. V-8 engine in a car originally designed to be powered by a 326 cu. in. V-8 engine. The first GTO weighed approximately 3500 lbs., and—of course—it ran.

1964

Pontiac's original plan was to build 5000 units. Huge positive public reaction resulted in more that 32,000 sales, limited only by availability of 389 engines. That same year, the hit record "GTO" often wrongly called "Lil' GTO" was introduced. What many called a 2 minute 31 second commercial became a huge hit selling over 1 million records. "Billboard Magazine" estimated the record was played more than 7 million times on domestic AM radio over the year. The infamous "Car & Driver" comparison test story on GTOs (Pontiac vs. Ferrari) was published. Pontiac was the big winner simply by being allowed on the same track with a Ferrari.

1965

Many critics said, "Everything wrong with the '64 was fixed in 1965," which meant more horsepower (360) and a better suspension. This was the first year the trademark Pontiac stacked headlights appeared on the GTO, as did the prominent (non-functional) hood scoop and styled steel Rally wheels. Sales rose to more than 75,000, as Pontiac GTO was named "Motor Trend" magazine "Car Of The Year."

1966

By 1966, GTO became a model unto itself, no longer a Le Mans built with the GTO option. A new roof style introduced a "tunneled" back window creating a fastback profile and slit-style taillights appeared, thus becoming GTO tradition. While sales continued to soar to a record high of almost 97,000, the once-famous Thom McAn shoe promotion resulted in over 1 million entries in car give-away sweepstakes. Thom McAn introduced a GTO shoe as the "World's First Hi-Performance Shoe." Later in the year, the famed "GeeTO Tiger" demonstration program performs at 24 drag strips across the nation. Spectators were invited to race the new GTO against a similarly prepared car driven by a mystery "Tiger."

1967

In 1967, Pontiac was forced to drop "Tiger" as a promotion idea and the car then became known as "The Great One." The 400 cu. in. engine replaced the 389, dramatic new Rally II wheel appeared and a new 3-speed automatic transmission resulted in a major increase in sales of automatic transmission-equipped cars. That same year, the famed "Monkeemobile" program resulted in major GTO exposure on the "Monkee's" television show and good tie-in promotion activity with sponsor Kellogg's Rice Krispies and Raisin Bran.

1968

Complete new body restyle was introduced in 1968, which included the GTO's first color-matched front-end. Color-matched front bumper features rubberized "Endura" material designed to repair itself after mild contact. "Endura" engineering breakthrough resulted in another "Motor Trend Magazine Car Of The Year" award. And, for the first time, covered headlamps are offered on any musclecar. Pontiac realized its second best sales year of more than 87,000 GTOs.

1969

Famed Ram-Air III and IV engines were introduced on the GTO in '69. Hood scoops became functional with Ram Air option. Special model known as "The Judge," named after popular TV show "Laugh-In" expression "Here come da' Judge," were introduced as sales hype. A special edition GTO featured the first use of pop-art striping and nameplate ID in decal form and breakthrough orange paint (Carousel Red) was used to introduce this special model. It proved unusually popular resulting in more than 80 percent of models featuring that color. "The Judge" also introduced a blade type stand-up rear deck spoiler, prompting a new industry trend. Sadly, musclecar sales began to slip as rising gas prices, new emissions regulations and safety features compromised ownership. GTO sales slipped to little more than 70,000 units.

1970

1970 revealed a dramatic new front-end styling, which featured custom "Frenched" headlight treatment. A 455cid engine was also introduced, as the first bigger cid engine option in GTO history. Exaggerated blade-type rear-deck spoiler resulted in a news-making down-force application—a spoiler that finally "spoils." Unfortunately, market trends continued to compromise the GTO's success as sales fell to little more than 40,000—and a new low-priced performance model GT-37 was introduced.

1971

GM forced all of its divisions in 1971 to lower engine compression ratios to no more than 8.5:1. In spite of lower compression, the newly introduced 455 cid HO V-8 produced 335 hp with remarkable performance. GTO once again became the premiere musclecar. Despite the performance numbers, GTO sales numbers fell to little more than 10,000 as America continued to change its tastes. A lower-priced GT-37 and modest sales of a newly styled Tran Am provided serious competition right in the Pontiac showroom.

1972

History definitely has its way of repeating: No longer its own model, the GTO again becomes just another "option" on the Le Mans. In spite of new front end styling on the basically "carryover" car, sales continued to slide. A proposed "Trans Am styled" ducktail spoiler never happens. Next, the GT-37 became the Le Mans GT, resulting in only 5800 GTO sales.

1973

"The pits!" All new styling in 1973 was not well received as the buying public loudly rejected the new look. In addition to modest sales of the Trans Am, the new GTO also suffered from the introduction of another sporty Pontiac named Grand Am, which temporarily "stole" the performance image. The unfavorable response to the GTO's new look meant an all-time low for GTO sales figures: little more than 4800.

1974

If things could get worse, they did. GTO, totally revised, was now built off the smaller Pontiac model called Ventura II Sprint, which itself was no more than a Chevrolet Nova with Pontiac styling and a Pontiac engine. The engine size was reduced to a 350cid V-8. The new car also featured the famed "shaker" hood scoop "borrowed" from companion model Trans Am. But, in spite of everything, buyers still rejected the car with the "would-be" GTO nameplate. Eventually, the famed GTO expired even before the end of the model year—10 years after its record-setting introduction resulted in more than 500,000 units sold during its lifetime.

2004

The Pontiac GTO is back. Faster and better than ever—and just in time to celebrate it's 40th anniversary.