Pontiac GTO
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| Pontiac GTO | |
|---|---|
| A 1967 Pontiac GTO | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | General Motors |
| Production | 1964–1974 / 2004–2006 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Muscle Car |
| Body style | 2-door convertible 2-door hardtop |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Pontiac Firebird |
The Pontiac GTO was an automobile built by Pontiac from 1964 to 1974. It is often considered the first true muscle car. From 1964 until 1973 it was closely related to the Pontiac Tempest, but for its final year it was based on the Pontiac Ventura. The nameplate was revived in 2004, based this time on the Australian Holden Monaro.
Origins
The GTO was the brainchild of McManus advertising agency executive Jim Wangers, an automotive enthusiast, and Pontiac chief engineer John De Lorean. Shane Wiser was the first to think of the idea of the GTO. In early 1963 General Motors management issued an edict banning divisions from involvement in auto racing. At the time Pontiac's advertising and marketing approach was heavily based on performance, and racing was an important component of that strategy. Wangers proposed a way to retain the performance image that the division had cultivated with a new focus on street performance. It involved transforming the upcoming, 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) Pontiac V8 engine from the full-sized Pontiac Catalina and Bonneville in place of the standard 326 in³ (5.3 L) Tempest V8. By promoting the big-engine Tempest as a special, high-performance model, they could appeal to the speed-minded youth market (which had also been recognized by Ford Motor Company's Lee Iacocca, who was at that time preparing the Ford Mustang).
The name, which was DeLorean's idea, was inspired by the Ferrari 250 GTO, the highly successful race car. It is an acronym for Gran Turismo Omologato, Italian for homologated for racing in the GT class. The name was to draw howls of protest from outraged purists, who considered it close to sacrilege. (American motorists have long joked that the Pontiac GTO initials stand for Gas, Tires and Oil.)
The GTO was technically a violation of GM policy limiting the A-body intermediate line to a maximum engine displacement of 330 in³ (5.4 L). Since the GTO was an option package, not standard equipment, it could be considered to fall into a loophole in the policy. Pontiac General Manager Elliot (Pete) Estes approved the new model, although sales manager Frank Bridge, who did not believe it would find a market, insisted on limiting initial production to no more than 5,000 cars. Had the model been a failure, Estes likely would have been reprimanded. As it turned out, it was a great success.
First generation
1964
The first Pontiac GTO was an option package for the Le Mans{not the Tempest}, available with the two-door sedan, hardtop coupe, and convertible body styles. For $296, it included the 389 in³ V8 (rated at 325 hp @ 4800 rpm) with a single Carter AFB four-barrel carburetor and dual exhausts, chromed valve covers and air cleaner, 7 blade declutching 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" engine with three two-barrel carburetors (rated at 348 hp), metallic drum brake brake linings, limited-slip differential, heavy-duty cooling, ride and handling package, and the usual array of power and convenience accessories. With every available option, the GTO cost about $4500 USD and weighed around 3500 lb.
Most contemporary road tests used the more powerful Tri-Power engine and four-speed. Car Life clocked a GTO so equipped at 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) in 6.6 seconds, through the standing quarter mile in 14.8 seconds with a trap speed of 99 mph (158 km/h). Like most testers, they criticized the slow steering, particularly without power steering, and inadequate drum brakes, which were identical to those of the normal Tempest. Car and Driver incited storms of controversy when it printed that a GTO that had supposedly been tuned with the "Bobcat" kit offered by Royal Pontiac of Royal Oak, Michigan was clocked at a quarter-mile ET of 12.8 seconds and a trap speed of 112 mph (179 km/h) on racing slicks. Later reports strongly suggest that the C&D GTOs were not equipped with the 389, but with the 421 in³ (6.9 L) Super Duty engine that was optional in full-sized Pontiacs. Since the two engines were difficult to distinguish externally, the subterfuge was not immediately obvious. It could have been possible for the GTO to reach 165 mph without the speed limiters, but that hasn't been confirmed.
Frank Bridge's gloomy sales forecast proved inaccurate: the GTO package had sold 10,000 units before the beginning of the 1964 calendar year, and total sales were 32,450.
Bobcats
Throughout the 1960s, Royal Pontiac, a Pontiac car dealer in Royal Oak, Michigan, offered a special tune-up package for Pontiac 389 engines. Many were fitted to GTOs, and the components and instructions could be purchased by mail as well as installed by the dealer. The name "Bobcat" came from the improvised badges created for the modified cars, combining letters from the "Bonneville" and "Catalina" nameplates. Many of the Pontiacs made available for magazine testing were equipped with the Bobcat kit.
The precise components of the kit varied, but generally included pieces to modify the spark advance of the distributor, limiting spark advance to 34-36° at no more than 3000 rpm (advancing the timing at high RPM for increased power), a thinner head gasket to raise compression to about 11.23:1, a gasket to block the heat riser of the carburetor (keeping it cooler), larger carburetor jets, high-capacity oil pump, and fiberglass shims with lock nuts to hold the hydraulic valve lifters at their maximum point of adjustment, allowing the engine to rev higher without "floating" the valves. Properly installed, the kit could add between 30 and 50 hp, although it required high-octane superpremium gasoline of over 100 octane (i.e. Sunoco 260, Chevron Custom Supreme) to avoid spark knock with the higher compression and advanced timing. :)
1965
The Tempest line, including the GTO, was restyled for the 1965 model year, adding 3.1 in. to overall length while retaining the same wheelbase and interior dimensions. It now sported Pontiac's characteristic vertically stacked quad headlights. Overall weight increased about 100 lb, model for model. Brake lining area increased just under 15%. The dashboard design was improved, and an optional Rally Gauge Cluster ($86.08) added a more legible tachometer and oil pressure gauge.
The 389 engine got revised cylinder heads with re-cored intake passages, improving breathing. Rated power increased to 335 hp @ 5000 rpm for the base 4—barrel engine; the Tri-Power was rated 360 hp @ 5200 rpm. The Tri-Power engine had slightly less torque than the base engine, 424 ft·lbf @ 3600 rpm versus 431 ft·lbf @ 3200 rpm. Transmission and axle ratio choices remained the same.
The restyled GTO had a new simulated hood scoop. A rare, dealer-installed option was a metal underhood pan and gaskets that allowed the scoop to be opened, transforming a cosmetic device into a functional ram air intake. The scoop was low enough that its effectiveness was questionable (it was unlikely to pick up anything but boundary layer air), but it at least admitted cooler, denser air, and allowed more of the engine's formidable roar to escape.
Car Life tested a 1965 GTO with Tri-Power and what they considered the most desirable options (close-ratio four-speed manual transmission, power steering, metallic brakes, rally wheels, 4.11 limited-slip differential, and Rally Gauge Cluster), with a total sticker price of $3643.79. With two testers and equipment aboard, they recorded 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) in 5.8 seconds, the standing quarter mile in 14.5 seconds with a trap speed of 100 mph (160 km/h), and an observed top speed of 114 mph (182.4 km/h) at the engine's 6000 rpm redline. Even Motor Trend's four-barrel test car, a heavier convertible handicapped by the two-speed automatic transmission and the lack of a limited-slip differential, ran 0-60 mph in 7 seconds and through the quarter mile in 16.1 seconds at 89 mph (142.4 km/h).
Major criticisms of the GTO continued to center on its slow steering (ratio of 17.5:1, four turns lock-to-lock) and mediocre brakes. Car Life was satisfied with the metallic brakes on its GTO, but Motor Trend and Road Test found the standard drums with organic linings to be alarmingly inadequate in high-speed driving.
Sales of the GTO, abetted by a formidable marketing and promotional campaign that included songs and various merchandise, more than doubled to 75,342. It was already spawning many imitators, both within other GM divisions and at its competitors.
1966
Pontiac's intermediate line was restyled again for 1966, gaining more curvaceous styling with kicked-up rear fender lines for a "Coke-bottle" look, and a slightly "tunneled" backlight. Overall length grew only fractionally, to 206.4 in (5243 mm), still on a 115 in (2921 mm) wheelbase, while width expanded to 74.4 in (1890 mm). Rear track increased one inch (25 mm). Overall weight remained about the same. The GTO became a separate model series, rather than an option package, with unique grille and tail lights, available as a pillared sports coupe, a hardtop without pillars, or a convertible. Also an automotive industry first, plastic front grilles replaced the pot metal and aluminum versions seen on earlier years. New Strato bucket seats were introduced with higher and thinner seat backs and contoured cushions for added comfort and adjustable headrests were introduced as a new option. The instrument panel was redesigned and more integrated than in previous years with the ignition switch moved from the far left of the dash to the right of the steering wheel. Four pod instruments continued and the GTO's dash was now highlighted by walnut veneer trim.
Engine choices remained the same as the previous year with the 389 producing 335 hp/431 ft·lbf. in 4bbl form, and 360 hp/424 ft·lbf. when outfitted with the Tri Power option. All engines had a 10.75:1 compression ratio. A new rare engine option was offered; the XS engine option consisted of a factory Ram Air set up with a new 744 high lift cam. Approximately 35 factory installed Ram Air packages are believed to have been built, though 300 dealership installed Ram Air packages are estimated to have been ordered. On paper, the package was said to produce the same 360 hp as the non-Ram Air, Tri Power car, though these figures are believed to have been grossly underestimated in order to slip beneath the GM management radar.
Sales continued to increase, to 96,946, the highest production figure for all GTO years. Although Pontiac had strenuously promoted the GTO in advertising as the "GTO Tiger," it had become known in the youth market as the "Goat." Pontiac management attempted to make use of the new nickname in advertising, but were vetoed by upper management, which was dismayed by its irreverent tone.
1967
Styling remained essentially unchanged for 1967, but the GTO saw several significant mechanical changes.
A corporate policy decision banned multiple carburetors for all cars except the Chevrolet Corvette, so the famous Tri-Power engine was cancelled in favor of a new Quadrajet four-barrel carburetor. Cheverolet was able to keep the tri-power set up to help with their image, the GTO was really becoming a serious competition problem for them. To compensate, the 389 engine received a slightly wider cylinder bore (4.12 in., 104.7 mm) for a total displacement of 400 in³ (6.6 L). Torque increased slightly, from 431 to 441 lb·ft (584 to 598 N·m) for the base engine, from 424 to 438 lb·ft (575 to 594 N·m) for the optional engine, but power remained the same. Testers found little performance difference, although the distinctive sound and fury of the Tri-Power was missed.
Two new engines were offered. The first, bizarrely, was an economy engine, also 400 in³, but with a two-barrel carburetor, 8.6:1 compression, and a rating of 265 hp (198 kW) and 397 lb·ft (538 N·m) of torque. Offered only with an automatic, it was coolly received by GTO buyers. The second, offered for a formidable extra cost of $263.30 over the standard high-output engine, was the Ram Air engine. The package, which included a functional hood scoop (much like the previous dealer-installed set-up), featured stiffer valve springs and a longer-duration camshaft. Rated power and torque were unchanged, although the engine was certainly stronger than that of the standard 360 hp (268 kW) GTO. It was available only with 3.90:1 or 4.33:1 differential gearing, and its "hotter" camshaft left it with a notably lumpier idle and less cooperative part-throttle response.
Emission controls, including an air injector system, were fitted in GTOs sold in California only.
Two more positive changes were in the area of transmission and brakes. The archaic two-speed automatic gave way to the three-speed Turbo-Hydramatic(TH400), available with any engine. The T-H was further enhanced by the use of Hurst's Dual-Gate shifter, which allowed manual selection of gears, and was generally considered an equal match for the four-speed in most performance aspects. Meanwhile, the Tempest's inadequate drum brakes could finally be replaced by disc brakes on the front wheels (for $104.79, including power boost), a vast improvement in both braking performance and fade resistance.
Hot Rod Magazine tested a 1967 Ram Air GTO with Turbo-Hydramatic and 3.90 gearing, and obtained a quarter-mile performance of 14.51 seconds @ 98.79 mph (158.99 km/h) in pure-stock form, rising to 14.11 @ 101.23 mph (162.91 km/h) with accessory drive belts removed, new spark plugs, and a slight modification to the carburetor. Car Life's similar car ran 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) in 6.1 seconds and the quarter in 14.5 seconds @ 102 mph (163 km/h) with 4.33 gears. They were critical, however, of the Ram Air's finicky behavior and tendency to overheat in traffic, as well as the ease with which a careless driver could exceed the 5600 rpm redline in top gear (which limited the car to a maximum speed of 107 mph (171 km/h) with a 4.33 axle ratio). Nor was it cheap: for performance and appointments very similar to their 1965 Tri-Power, the price was $4422, a 20% increase.
Nevertheless, GTO sales remained high at 81,722.
Second generation
1968
GM redesigned its A-body line for 1968, with more curvaceous, "bustleback" fastback styling. The previous 115 in (2921 mm) wheelbase was shortened to 112 in (2845 mm) for all two-door models. Overall length was reduced 5.9 in (150 mm) and height dropped half an inch (12.7 mm), but overall weight was up about 75 lb (34 kg). For the GTO, Pontiac abandoned the familiar stacked headlights for hidden headlights behind the split grille (technically a $52.66 option, but seen on most GTOs). The signature hood scoop was replaced by dual scoops on either side of a prominent hood bulge extending from the protruding nose.
A unique feature was the body-color Endura front bumper. It was designed to absorb impact without permanent deformation at low speeds. Pontiac touted this feature heavily in advertising, showing hammering at the bumper to no discernable effect. Though a rare option, a GTO could be ordered with "Endura Delete", in which case the Endura bumper would be replaced by a chrome front bumper and grille setup from the Pontiac LeMans. This model year further emphasized the curvacious "coke bottle" styling, as viewed from the side.
Powertrain options remained substantially the same as in 1967, but the standard GTO engine rose to 350 hp (261 kW) @ 5000 rpm. At mid-year, a new Ram Air package became available with freer-breathing cylinder heads, round port exhaust and the 744 cam and 3:90 gear. Horsepower rating was not changed, although actual output was likely somewhat higher, especially with open exhausts. Another carry-over from 1967 was the 4-piston caliper disc brake option. While most 1968 models had drum brakes all around, this rare option provided enormous stopping power and could be found on other GM A-Body vehicles of the same period. 1968 also marked the last year the GTOs offered separate vent, or "wing", windows - and the only year for crank-operated vent windows.
Aside from the grille and headlights, several other new gimmicks were offered. One feature was concealed windshield wipers, hidden below the rear edge of the hood. They presented a cleaner appearance and were another Pontiac first for the industry. Another popular option, actually introduced during the 1967 model year, was a hood-mounted tachometer, located just ahead of the windshield and lighted for nighttime visibilty. It could be replaced by an in-dash tach at the buyer's option, but became something of a status symbol.
Redline bias-ply tires continued as standard equipment on the 1968 GTO though they could be replaced by whitewalls at no extra cost, sourced by various manufacturers under contracts with General Motors such as Uniroyal, Firestone, Goodyear, B.F. Goodrich and General. A new option this year was radial-ply tires for improved ride and handling. However, very few if any '68 GTOs, were delivered with the radial tires due to manufacturing problems encountered by supplier B.F. Goodrich. The radial tire option was quitely discontinued after this one year. Pontiac wouldn't offer radial tires as a factory option on the GTO again until the 1974 model.
Hot Rod tested a four-speed standard GTO and obtained a quarter mile reading of 14.7 seconds at 97 mph (156 km/h) in pure stock form. Motor Trend clocked a four-speed Ram Air with 4.33 gearing at 14.45 seconds @ 98.2 mph (158.0 km/h) and a standard GTO with Turbo-Hydramatic and 3.23 gears at 15.93 seconds @ 88.3 mph (142.1 km/h). Testers were split about handling, Hot Rod calling it "the best-balanced car [Pontiac] ever built," but Car Life chiding its excessive nose heaviness, understeer, and inadequate damping.
Now facing serious competition both within GM and from Ford, Dodge, and Plymouth — particularly the latter's new, low-cost Road Runner — the GTO nonetheless won Motor Trend's Car of the Year award, and sales remained strong at 87,684.
1969
The new 1969 model did away with the vent windows, had a slight grille and taillight revision, moved the ignition key from the dashboard to the steering column, and the gauge faces changed from steel blue to black. In addition, the rear quarter-panel mounted side marker lamps changed from a red lens shaped like the Pontiac "V" crest to one shaped like the broad GTO badge.
The previous economy engine and standard 350 hp 400 in³ V8 remained, but the 360 hp engine was dropped in favor of a pair of new Ram Air engines. The 400 in³ Ram Air III was rated at 366 hp @ 5100 rpm, while the top option was the 370 hp Ram Air IV, which featured special header-like high-flow exhaust manifolds, high-flow cylinder heads, a specific high-rise aluminum intake manifold, larger Rochester QuadraJet four-barrel carburetor, high-lift/long-duration camshaft, forged steel crankshaft plus various beefed-up internal components capable of withstanding higher engine speeds and power output. Unlike the big-block Chevy and Hemi motors, the Ram Air IV utilized hydraulic lifters which allowed the engine to remain civilized during everyday driving. It didn't overheat in traffic, and it also didn't foul spark plugs, which set it apart from the large-displacement performance engines seen in other muscle cars.
By this time, the gross power ratings of both Ram Air engines were highly suspect, bearing less relationship to developed horsepower and more to an internal GM policy limiting all cars except the "all-mighty" Corvette to no more than one advertised horsepower per ten pounds of curb weight. The fact that the higher-revving Ram Air IV's advertised power peak was at 5000 rpm, 100 rpm lower than the less-powerful Ram Air III, is a case in point.
The significant event of 1969 was the launch of a new model called 'The Judge'. Ads used slogans like "All rise for The Judge" and "The Judge can be bought." As originally conceived, the Judge was to be a low-cost GTO, stripped of some gimmicks to make it competitive with the Plymouth Road Runner. During its development, however, it was decided to make it instead the ultimate in street performance and image. The resulting package ended up being some $337.02 more expensive than a standard GTO, and included the Ram Air III engine, styled wheels, Hurst shifter (with a unique T-shaped handle), wider tires, various decals, and a rear spoiler. Pontiac claimed that the latter had some functional effect at higher speeds, producing a small but measurable down force, but it was of little value at legal speeds except for style. The Judge was initially offered only in very loud "Carousel Red," but late in the model year a variety of other colors became available.
The GTO had now been surpassed in sales both by the Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 and the Road Runner, but 72,287 were sold during the 1969 model year, 6,833 of them The Judge. This is also the year that the legendary Ram Air IV was introduced, it was a special 400 block with newly designed high compression tunnel port heads, and a special high rise intake manifold. Zero to sixty came in only 6.2 seconds, and the quarter-mile came at 14.4 sec @ 98 mph.
1970
The Tempest line got 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.
The suspension was upgraded with the addition of a rear anti-roll bar, essentially the same 7/8 bar as used on the Oldsmobile 442 and Buick GS. The front anti-roll bar was slightly stiffer, 1 1/8in. The result was a useful reduction in body lean in turns and a modest reduction of understeer
Another handling-related improvement was optional variable-ratio power steering. Rather than a fixed ratio of 17.5:1, requiring four turns lock-to-lock, the new system varied its ratio from 14.6:1 to 18.9:1, needing 3.5 turns lock-to-lock. Turning diameter was reduced from 40.9 ft (12.5 m) to 37.4 ft (11.4 m).
The base engine was unchanged for 1970, but the low-compression economy engine was gone and The Ram Air III and Ram Air IV remained available, although the latter was now a special-order option.
A new option was Pontiac's 455, available now that GM had rescinded its earlier ban on intermediates with engines larger than 400. Curiously, the 455, a long-stroke engine taken from the full-size Pontiac Bonneville line, was only moderately stronger than the base 400, and actually less powerful than the Ram Air III, both in advertised and developed power. The 455 was rated 360 hp @ 4300 rpm. Its advantage was torque: 500 lb·ft @ 2700 rpm. A functional Ram Air scoop was available, but even so equipped, a stock 455 was clearly less powerful than the Ram Air III. Car and Driver tested a heavily optioned 455, with a four-speed transmission and 3.31 axle and recorded a quarter mile time of 15.0 seconds with a trap speed of 96.5 mph (155.3 km/h). Car Life's Turbo-Hydramatic 455, with a 3.35 axle, clocked 14.76 seconds at 95.94 mph (154.40 km/h), with identical 6.6 second 0-60 mph acceleration. Both were about 3 mph (5 km/h) slower than a Ram Air III 400 four-speed, although considerably less temperamental: the peaky Ram Air engine was unhappy at idle and difficult to drive at low speeds. The smaller displacement engine recorded less than 9 mpg (26.1 L/100 km), compared to a still-unimpressive 10 to 11 mpg (23.5 to 21.4 L/100 km) for the 455.
A new and short-lived option for 1970 was the VOE, or Vacuum Operated Exhaust, which was cable activated via an underdash lever marked "EXHAUST." The VOE was designed to reduce exhaust backpressure to increase horsepower and performance, but also substantially increased exhaust noise. The VOE option was offered from November, 1969 to January, 1970. Pontiac management was ordered to cancel the VOE option by GM's upper management following a TV commercial for the GTO that aired during Super Bowl IV on CBS January 11. In that commercial entitled "The Humbler," which was broadcast only that one time, a young man pulled up in a new GTO to a drive-in restaurant with dramatic music and exhaust noise in the background, pulling the "EXHAUST" button to activate the VOE and then left the drive-in to do some street racing. That particular commercial was also cancelled by order of GM management.
The Judge remained available as a separate model, against the advice of Jim Wangers, who felt it should have been a one year-only promotion. The Judge came standard with the 366 hp Ram Air III 400 in³ V8 while the 370 hp Ram Air IV 400 was optional. Though the 360 hp 455 in³ V8 was available as an option on the standard GTO throughout the entire model year, the 455 was not offered on The Judge until late in the year. "Orbit Orange" became the new flamboyant color cue for the '70 Judge, replacing 1969's Carousel Red, but any GTO color was available on The Judge. Striping was relocated to the upper wheelwell brows. An Orbit Orange 1970 GTO Judge with the 455 engine and Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission was one of the featured cars in the movie "Two-Lane Blacktop" which depicted a cross-country race between the new GTO and a hopped-up '55 Chevy.
The new styling did little to help declining sales, which were now being hit by sagging buyer interest in all musclecars and by the punitive surcharges levied by automobile insurance companies, which could result in insurance payments higher than car payments for some drivers. Sales were down to 40,149, of which 3,797 were The Judge. The GTO remained the third best-selling intermediate musclecar, only outsold by the Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396/454 and Plymouth Road Runner.
1971
The 1971 GTO had another modest facelift, this time with wire-mesh griles, horizontal bumper bars on either side of the grille opening, more closely spaced headlamps, and a new hood with the dual scoops relocated to the leading edge, not far above the grille. Overall length grew slightly to 203.3 inches (5164 mm).
If the skyrocketing insurance rates were not enough, a new corporate edict, aimed at preparing the GM fleet for no-lead gasoline, forced a cross-the-board reduction in compression ratios. The Ram Air engines did not return for 1971. The standard GTO engine was still the 400 in³ V8, but now with 8.2:1 compression. Power was rated at 300 hp @ 4800 rpm and torque at 400 lb·ft @ 3600 rpm. A step-up engine option was the 455 in³ V8 with four-barrel carburetor, 8.4 to 1 compression ratio and 325 hp, only available with the automatic transmission. The top GTO engine for 1971 was the new 455 HO with 8.4 compression, rated at 335 net hp @ 4800 rpm and 480 lb·ft @ 3600 rpm: this is considered by many to be the most powerful engine Pontiac made, truthfully it made almost 425 hp on 87 octane gas.
Motor Trend tested a 1971 GTO with the 455, four-speed transmission, and 3.90 axle, and obtained a 0-60 mph time of 6.1 seconds and a quarter mile acceleration of 13.4 seconds at 102 mph.
The Judge returned for a final year, now with the 455 HO as standard equipment. Only 374 were sold before The Judge was discontinued in February, 1971, including 17 convertibles — today the rarest of all GTOs.
The sales slide was becoming terminal: only 10,532 GTOs were sold.
1972
In 1972, the GTO reverted from a separate model line to a $353.88 option package for the LeMans and LeMans Sport coupes. On the base LeMans line the GTO package could be had with either the low-priced pillared coupe or hardtop coupe. Both models came standard with cloth and vinyl or all-vinyl bench seats and rubber floor mats on the pillared coupe and carpeting on the hardtop, creating a lower-priced GTO (for which some within Pontiac had been lobbying since the debut of the Plymouth Road Runner). The LeMans Sport, offered only as a hardtop coupe, came with Strato bucket seats upholstered in vinyl, along with carpeting on floor and lower door panels, vinyl door-pull straps, custom pedal trim and cushioned steering wheel, much like GTOs of previous years. Other optional equipment was similar to 1971 and earlier models. Planned for 1972 as a GTO option was the ducktail rear spoiler from the Firebird Trans Am, but after a few cars were built with that option, it was cancelled. Again, Rally II and Honeycomb wheels were optional on all GTOs, with the Honeycombs now featuring red Pontiac arrowhead emblems on the center caps, while the Rally IIs continued with the same caps as before, spelling out "PMD" (for Pontiac Motor Division).
Horsepower, now rated in SAE net terms, was down further, to 250 hp @ 4400 rpm and 325 lb·ft @ 3200 rpm for the base 400 engine. The optional 455 had the same rated horsepower (although at a peak of 3600 rpm), but substantially more torque. Most of the drop was attributable to the new rating system (which now reflected an engine in as-installed condition with mufflers, accessories, and standard intake): in real terms, the engines were relatively little changed from 1971.
A very rare option was the 455 HO engine, essentially similar to that used in the Trans Am. It was rated at 300 hp @ 4000 rpm and 415 lb·ft @ 3200 rpm, also in the new SAE net figures. Despite its modest 8.4:1 compression, it was as strong as many earlier engines with higher gross power ratings, yet like all other 1972-model engines, it could perform on low-octane regular leaded, low-lead or unleaded gasolines. Only 646 of these engines were sold.
Sales plummeted by 45%, to 5,811. (Some sources discount the single convertible and the three anomalous wagons, listing the total as 5,807.) Although Pontiac did not offer a production GTO convertible in 1972, a buyer could order a LeMans Sport convertible with either of the three GTO engines and other sporty/performance trappings to create a GTO in all but name. Even the GTO's Endura bumper was offered as an option on LeMans/Sport models, with "PONTIAC" spelled out on the driver's side grille rather than "GTO."
Final models
1973
Once again an option package for the LeMans, the 1973 GTO shared the reskinned A-body with its "Colonnade" hardtop styling, which eliminated true hardtop design due to the addition of a roof pillar but retention of doorless framework. Rear side windows were now of a fixed design that could not be opened and in a trianglar shape. New federal laws for 1973 demanded front bumpers capable of withstanding 5 mph (8 km/h) impacts with no damage to the body (5 mph rear bumpers would come in 1974): the result was the use of prominent and heavy chrome bumpers front and rear. The overall styling of the 1973 Pontiac A-body intermediates (LeMans, Luxury LeMans, GTO and Grand Am) was generally not well received by the car buying public and often compared to public opinion of sportscaster Howard Cosell - you either really liked or disliked it. There was no middle ground. In contrast, the Pontiac Grand Prix and Chevrolet Monte Carlo, which were also derived from the intermediate A-body, were much better received due to their squared-off styling and formal rooflines with vertical opera windows. Pontiac's sister division, Oldsmobile, got more rave reviews from the automotive press and the car-buying public with the similar-bodied Cutlass S and Cutlass Supreme models, the Supreme coupe (borrowing the squared-off roofline and opera windows from the GP and Monte) itself outsold Pontiac's entire LeMans/Grand Am/GTO lineup in 1973.
Once again the '73 GTO option was offered on two models including the base LeMans coupe or the LeMans Sport Coupe. The base LeMans coupe featured a cloth-and-vinyl or all-vinyl bench seat while the more lavish LeMans Sport Coupe had all-vinyl interiors with Strato bucket seats or a notchback bench seat with folding armrest. The LeMans Sport Coupe also got the louvered rear side windows from the Grand Am in place of the standard triangular windows of the base LeMans.
The standard 400 in³ V8 in the 1973 GTO was further reduced in compression to 8.0:1, dropping horsepower to 230. The 400 engine was available with any of the three transmissions including the standard three-speed manual, or optional four-speed or Turbo Hydra-Matic. The 455 in³ V8 remained optional, but was detuned to 250 hp and available only with the Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission. The 455 HO engine did not reappear, but GM initially announced the availability of a Super Duty 455 engine (shared with the contemporary Pontiac Trans Am SD455), and several such cars were made available for testing, impressing reviewers with their power and flexibility. Nevertheless, the Super Duty was never actually offered for public sale in the GTO.
Sales dropped to 4,806, thanks in part to competition from the new LeMans-based Euro-style luxury sport sedan and coupe - the Grand Am, and lack of promotion for this year's GTO. By the end of the model year an emerging energy crisis would deal a death blow to consumer interest in muscle cars. Most enthusiasts and Pontiac executives of the period typically agree that 1973 was the worst year for the GTO.
1974
For 1974 Pontiac's intermediate-sized cars received minor styling revisions (including a more squared-off rear section with vertical taillights and a new federally-regulated five-mph bumper) that were a great improvement over the '73 model, whose styling was likened to that of sportscaster Howard Cosell (see the 1973 heading for the Cosell comparison). The GTO, however, wasn't part of the program, as it was dropped from the intermediate lineup it had been based on since its 1964 introduction. Wanting to avoid internal competion with the "Euro-styled" Pontiac Grand Am, and looking for an entry into the compact muscle market populated by the Plymouth Duster 360, Ford Maverick Grabber and AMC Hornet X, Pontiac moved the GTO option to the compact Pontiac Ventura, which shared its basic body shell and sheetmetal with the Chevrolet Nova. Critics dubbed it "a Chevy Nova in drag."
The $195 GTO package included a three-speed manual transmission with Hurst floor shifter, heavy-duty suspension with front and rear anti-roll bars, a shaker hood, special grille, mirrors, and wheels, and various GTO emblems. The only engine was the 350 in³ V8 with 7.6:1 compression and a single four-barrel carburetor. It was rated at 200 hp (149 kW) @ 4400 rpm and 295 lb·ft (400 N·m) @ 2800 rpm. Optional transmissions included a wide-ratio four-speed with Hurst shifter or the three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic.
The GTO option was available in both the base Ventura and Ventura Custom lines as either a two-door sedan or hatchback coupe. The base Ventura interior consisted of bench seats and rubber floor mats, while the Ventura Custom had upgraded bench seats or optional Strato bucket seats along with carpeting, cushioned steering wheel, and custom pedal trim.
Bias-belted tires were standard equipment, but a Radial Tuned Suspension option added the radial tires, along with upgraded suspension tuning for improved ride and handling. This marked the first and only year (until 2004) that radial tires would be offered in quantity on the GTO, discounting the unsuccessful and abortive effort of 1968.
Cars Magazine tested a 1974 GTO with the optional four-speed and obtained a 0-60 mph time of 7.7 seconds and a quarter mile reading of 15.72 seconds @ 88 mph (142 km/h).
Sales were an improvement over 1973, at 7,058, but not enough to justify continuing the model.
Pontiac had planned to offer a 1975 GTO, again based on the compact Ventura and powered by a Pontiac-built 350 in³ V8. The Ventura and other GM compacts underwent substantial styling and engineering changes, the latter including front and rear suspensions similar to the sporty Firebird/Camaro. In the end, however, the GTO was discontinued following a corporate decision to switch to Buick V8 engines on the '75 Ventura line, though Pontiac V8s were continued in all other division models.
False starts
If the downsized, Ventura-based GTO did not entirely escape the ignominy of becoming a cosmetic decal package (or in other words, rebadging) that also afflicted the Plymouth Road Runner (first based on the 2-door Plymouth Fury in 1975, and, before its demise, on the Plymouth Volare) and Oldsmobile 442, Pontiac mercifully ended the series after 1974.
In 1975, an enterprising Pontiac dealer in the eastern U.S. reportedly decided to "create" a new GTO. Sensing that the 1974 GTO should have continued on the intermediate LeMans platform rather than downsized to the Ventura line, this dealer advertised and sold an undetermined number of 1975 Pontiac GTOs. These cars were factory-ordered by the dealer as LeMans Sport Coupes equipped with the 400 or 455 in³ V8s with four-barrel carburetors, Turbo Hydra-Matic transmissions, Strato bucket seats and console, power steering, power disc brakes, Rally II or Honeycomb wheels, and Radial Tuned Suspension with whitewall or white-lettered radial tires - and the replacement of Pontiac and LeMans nameplates with "GTO" badges inside and out. This dealer-made '75 GTO could be ordered with any LeMans exterior/interior combination along with any other extra-cost options available on the regular LeMans.
In 1976, Jim Wangers reportedly presented a LeMans Sport Coupe as a new GTO Judge prototype with a 400 in³ V8 that was painted Carousel Red (a '69 Judge color) to Pontiac division officials as a possible GTO revival to supplement dramatic sales increases for the Firebird Trans Am (now accounting for 50% of Firebird sales) for those buyers who wanted a sporty performance car but needed a roomier back seat and larger trunk. However, division officials turned down the idea of an intermediate-sized '76 GTO, but the concept was considered and approved for production, not as a GTO revival, but as the '77 Pontiac Can Am.
During the subsequent 30 years, Pontiac considered several plans to revive the GTO nameplate, but none came to fruition. In 1988, when Oldsmobile planned to create a 442 based on the Cutlass Calais, Pontiac built a prototype GTO based on the Grand Am, equipped with a Quad 4 engine. The revived 442, introduced for the 1990 model year, proved to be a flop, leading Pontiac to quietly cancel the GTO revival.
Japanese automaker Mitsubishi marketed a Mitsubishi GTO coupe, although it was sold in US and Canada as the Mitsubishi 3000GT to avoid legal conflicts with Pontiac. Ironically, fans of the original GTO considered the appropriation of a famous muscle car by a Japanese automaker to be sacrilegious, much as sports car fans of the 1960s had been infuriated by Pontiac borrowing the name of the Ferrari racer.
1999 concept car
During the 1999 Detroit Auto Show, about 25 years after the final GTO rolled off the assembly line, a GTO concept car with a heritage-inspired, Coke-bottle shape, grille, and hood scoop, was introduced to the world. Unfortunately, it was only a design experiment and had no engine. This concept never made it into production. The car was featured in Supercar Street Challenge as an extremely grippy road car.
Revival
The Pontiac GTO nameplate was revived for the 2004 model year, now as an American-market version of the Australian-built Holden Monaro.
2004 to 2006
The Pontiac GTO was relaunched in the United States in late 2003, based on the Holden Monaro's Omega-derived platform. The revival was prompted by former GM chairman Bob Lutz, who drove a Holden Monaro while on a business trip in Australia. The GTO is produced in the suburb of Elizabeth South Australia, and is equipped with the Chevrolet Corvette's LS1 ('04) and LS2 ('05-'06) V8 engine with a choice of a 6-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic. The same model is sold in the United Kingdom as a Vauxhall and in the Middle East as a Chevrolet Lumina SS. GM North America struck a deal with Holden for them to produce a maximum of 18,000 vehicles per year starting in late 2003 and going through to the end of the 2006 model year. 18,000 is the production limit at the Australian assembly plant. There is no truth to the rumor that the limit is a limit agreed upon between GM and the UAW as to how many vehicles GM can import on a yearly basis.
Despite high expectations by GM to sell 18,000 GTO's, the new GTO received a lukewarm reception in the U.S. It was frequently derided for its bland styling, which many critics felt was too anonymous to befit either the GTO heritage or the current car's performance. Aside from the "rental car" styling, GTO faithfuls were further insulted by GM's total lack of effort put forth in redesigning the American performance icon, which consisted of nothing more than simply rebadging the Monaro and using the existing sheet metal. It was also overshadowed by the more flamboyantly styled Chrysler 300 sedan, which offers rear-drive, V8 performance, and the new Ford Mustang. It was also derided for being built in Australia. Sales were also limited due to dealer tactics. Due to anticipated demand, dealers were initially charging large markups and denying requests for test drives. By the end of the year, the 2004s were selling with significant discounts from MSRP. Sales were 13,569 of 15,728 cars for 2004.
The 2005 model year continued with the addition of hood scoops, split rear exhaust, and optional 18" rims. The major change for 2005 was the replacement of the LS1 engine. The new engine offered is the LS2 engine. This increased power and torque in the GTO to 298 kW (400 hp) and 542 N·m (400 ft·lb). A special version of this vehicle is used for drifting. Nonetheless, sales dropped to 11,590, primarily due to a shortened model year.
For 2006 two additional colors were added to the line up, Spice Red Metallic and Brazen Orange Metallic, while Midnight Blue Metallic and Yellowjacket was dropped, also added to 2006 are revised blacked-out tail lamps and illuminated steering wheel radio controls.
On February 21, 2006, General Motors reportedly told dealers that it would halt imports of the GTO in September, making 2006 the last model year for the current GTO generation.
2008
Template:Future automobile GM had plans to launch a new GTO on the GM Zeta platform, probably built in North America on the same line as the relaunched Chevrolet Camaro, but seems to have scrapped them. The new car was slated to go on sale late in 2008, probably as a 2009 model, but the May 2006 issue of Motor Trend and the April 2 issue of The San Francisco Chronicle reported that this plan was cancelled. However, rumors continue to persist that a Zeta-based GTO will be revived in the 2009 time frame.
Television and film appearances
The Monkeemobile, featured on the television show The Monkees (1966-1968) in promotional materials, appearances and commercials related to that band, was a customized Pontiac GTO. Various toy versions of the Monkeemobile were marketed.
Some GTOs were seen in movies such as xXx starring Vin Diesel, who drives a customized purple 1967 GTO in that movie. The made-for-television movie The Last Ride shown on the USA Network shows two generations: a 1969 GTO Judge and the new 2004 model. A 69 Lemans makes a brief appearance in the film The Lost World: Jurassic Park as the car Ian Malcolm drives through San Diego while being chased by a Tyrannosaurus rex. A GTO can also been seen in Be Cool, Wayne's World, and The Hollywood Knights.
In the 2005 movies Stealth and Herbie: Fully Loaded, a new model GTO can be seen. Also, the Pontiac GTO could be briefly spotted in one of the newer music videos of the Backstreet Boys, particulary Incomplete
A white 1967 Lemans was driven by Johnny in The Night of the Living Dead.
A jet-black 1969 GTO was seen in The Punisher. Restoration giant Year One (which supplied parts for the film 2 Fast 2 Furious) built five vehicles for the film.
Rhys Millen drifts a Pontiac GTO in the Japanese D1 Grand Prix series (in US events) and the US Formula D series. Formula D is seen on G4TV and D1GP in JDM Option.
Every now and then, the new GTO can be seen in Desperate Housewives.
In the movie Dazed And Confused, character Kevin Pickford drives a 1970 GTO Judge, with an automatic transmission.
In the 1985 movie My Science Project, the main character drives a red 1968 GTO with a supercharger.
Bruce Willis and Billy Bob Thornton drive a maroon 1966 GTO in the 2001 movie "Bandits".
The concept GTO was featured in the racing game Supercar. Both the US GTO and the Vauxhall Monaro cars were also included in the street racing game Need For Speed: Most Wanted as both playable cars and State Police pursuit units.
The new GTO is also featured in the street racing game Need for Speed Underground 2 as a playable car.
The 2004 GTO (as well as the Holden Monaro) is also a playable car in Sony Computer Entertainment's video game Gran Turismo 4.
In one episode of Seinfeld, George Costanza drives his father's 1967 GTO, although he misidentifies it as a 1968 model.
External links
- #1 04-06 GTO Board On The Net!
- Ultimate GTO Picture Site
- Classic GTO history
- Muscle Car Club GTO page
- Pontiac GTO at Muscle Car Facts — A year by year account of one of the greatest muscle cars ever.
- Pontiac GTO information and specs on OldRide.com
- AutoGuideWiki.com
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Billy Bob Thornton and Bruce Willis drive a maroon 1966 GTO in the 2001 film "Bandits"