Pontiac GTO

1970The Tempest line received another facelift for the 1970 model year. Hidden headlights were deleted in favor of four exposed round headlamps outboard of narrower grille openings. The nose retained the protruding vertical prow theme, although it was less prominent. While the standard Tempest and LeMans had chrome grilles, the GTO retained the Endura urethane cover around the headlamps and grille. (more…)

1968 GM redesigned its A-body line for 1968, with more curvaceous, "fastback" styling. The previous 115 inch (292 cm) wheelbase was shortened to 112 inches (284 cm) for all two-door models. Overall length was reduced 5.9 inches (150 mm) and height dropped half an inch (12 mm), but overall weight was up about 75 pounds (34 kg). Pontiac abandoned the familiar stacked headlights for hidden headlights behind the split grille (actually a US$52.66 option, but seen on many GTOs). The signature hood scoop was replaced by dual scoops on either side of a prominent hood bulge extending rearward from the protruding nose. (more…)

1966 Pontiac's middle line was restyled again for 1966, gaining curvier styling with kicked-up rear fender lines for a "Coke-bottle" look, and a somewhat "tunneled" backlight. Overall length grew only fractionally, to 206.4 inches (524 cm), still on a 115 inch (292 cm) wheelbase, while width expanded to 74.4 inches (189 cm). Rear track increased one inch (2.5 cm). Overall weight remained about the same. The GTO became a separate model series, rather than an option package, with distinctive grille and tail lights, available as a pillared sports coupe, a hardtop sans pillars, or a convertible. Also automotive industry first, plastic front grilles replaced the pot metal and aluminum versions seen on earlier years. (more…)

1964 The first Pontiac GTO was an option package for the Pontiac LeMans, obtainable with the two-door sedan, hardtop coupe, and convertible body styles. For US$ 296, it included the 389 in³ V8 (rated at 325 hp (242 kW) at 4800 rpm) with a single Carter AFB four-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust, chromed valve covers and air cleaner, 7 blade clutch fan, a floor-shifted three-speed manual transmission with Hurst shifter, stiffer springs, larger diameter front sway bar, wider wheels with 7.50 x 14 redline tires, hood scoops, and GTO badges. Optional equipment included a four-speed manual transmission, two-speed automatic transmission, a more powerful "Tri-Power" carburation rated at 348 hp (260 kW), metallic drum brake linings, limited slip differential, heavy-duty coolin...

The GTO was the idea of Pontiac engineer Russell Gee, an engine expert, and Pontiac chief engineer John De Lorean. Shane Wiser was the first to think of the GTO. In early 1963, General Motors management issued an announcement prohibit divisions from participation in auto racing. At the time, Pontiac's promotion and marketing approach was greatly based on performance, and racing was an important component of that strategy. Jim Wangers suggested a way to preserve the performance image that the division had cultured with a new focus on street performance. It involved transforming the future redesigned Tempest (which was set to revert to a conventional front-engine, front transmission, rear-wheel drive configuration) into a "Super Tempest" with the larger 389 in³ (6.5 L) Pon...