Posted on 02/16/2014 6:48:26 PM PST by Impala64ssa
Happy 50th anniversary, Pontiac GTO! It’s too bad the Pontiac brand isn’t still around to celebrate, but there are legions of proud GTO owners and muscle car buffs who treasure the model that launched the muscle car genre.
The GTO history has been told too many times to count, so this feature will not add to the pile. Rather, it’s worth looking back at the impact the GTO made, not only on car enthusiasts, but also on the auto industry. The GTO’s influence continues today in ways and on cars that you might not suspect.
Let’s get a key issue out of the way. When discussing the GTO’s place in auto history, it’s safer to say, “Launched the musclecar genre” than “It was the first muscle car.” As Chevy, Ford and Mopar fans could correctly point out, several models that preceded the 1964 GTO offered performance to qualify as a muscle car. All any of those cars would prove, however, is that Detroit had already been catering to the performance enthusiast, albeit in very small numbers, and without crafting specific model identities. (The Chevy Impala Super Sport with one of the 409 V-8’s could certainly be considered an exception.)
What changed in late 1963, when the GTO arrived as a performance option for the 1964 Pontiac Tempest LeMans? That’s the year that the 3.4 million kids born in 1946, the first wave of “baby boomers,” turned 17. Clever marketing would prove every bit as valuable as engineering in reaching this group.
These buyers wanted more than fast quarter-mile times. They wanted to stand out at the drive-in and the burger drive-through. They wanted a car that reflected their self-image, a car with the look and sound of performance, not just impressive acceleration figures.
(Excerpt) Read more at hagerty.com ...
I always thought it stood for “Found on Roadside Dead”.
I still remember learning to set the valve clearance on the solid lifters of my '67 427/435 HP Corvette. Some clown told me to do it while running. What a smoky, useless mess that was.
Many decades later, I know much better. Too bad the Corvette is long gone. Motorcycle engines are excellent training tools.
I always preferred Rhodes lifters to solid lifters.
Don’t ask about the ‘67 Vette 427 ‘Vette that got away FRom me!
That, too!
Chevy started putting the 348 truck block into 1958 models which later became the famous 409.
Ford also was also building the 390 long before the GTO came along.
Nothing against GTOs...I love them, but they were not the first muscle cars.
Let’s get a key issue out of the way. When discussing the GTO’s place in auto history, it’s safer to say, “Launched the musclecar genre” than “It was the first muscle car.” As Chevy, Ford and Mopar fans could correctly point out, several models that preceded the 1964 GTO offered performance to qualify as a muscle car.
The Judge was the first car I ever drove. A real nice one. The owner was too loaded to drive, so he threw me the keys. Kind of like getting thrown in the deep end of the pool, you might say. Took my first road trip to the Rockies in that car. Something I’ll never forget.
My brother owned a ‘64. At one time it was known as the fastest car in South Omaha. That’s what I heard anyway. :-)
Feels like it anyways, reading articles like this one.
To be honest I let my passenger out and bozo in the GTO had two passengers, I got him off the line and he never caught up.
Was going to ping you darling....but you’re already here! ;)
living in CT, I had 1967 goat, stock, except the rear-end was ordered with the high speed gear.
Working nights in Hartford and living in Colchester, I would make the run on RT2 in I don’t remember how many minutes.
During this period CTSP were driving some Ford product which was “sold” as fast, because it had solid lifters.
Twice I out ran the CTSPs. They had just started using K band radar, with horn hanging off the left rear window. The first time I saw him he had his reds on and was behind me.
I dumped the Goat into third, nailed the accelerator, dropped, into 4th. His reds were no longer in sight. The second time was similar.
I enjoyed reading what others shared about their experiences with the GTO. However, I was surprised that I didn't find direct references to the Royal Oak, Michigan Pontiac dealer.
Royal Oaks sold an aftermarket performance upgrade for Lemans with the GTO option. They called it the “Bobcat Kit”.
The Bobcat Kit for my 1965 GTO coat around $100. For $100 and my labor the horsepower increased by 64 Horses and the RPM increased by 1200. A bargain for $100.
GTO stands for Gran Turismo Omologato.
Back in the day, we called it Gas, Tires and Oil.
The gas and tires part was probably true. I don’t think they used oil tho.
Thanks for the thought, sweetie. Tellem how nice my GTO is!
Royal Pontiac was a VERY successful Pontiac mod shop — I think they even sold a factory 428 ci upgrade engine. I know they had a sterling reputation with their drag cars.
If one were to be able to find an original Royal Bobcat today, one would certainly have a sweet ride!
PS It is even nicer, now. And, a hellofalot noisier and much faster!
More fun, too!
Is it that your wonderful goat is terrifically uber-fast......or is it b/c it is being guided by a former jet fighter pilot?
No matter .....flying through the cornfields of Manassas was a blast ..... are the indentations of my tightly gripping fingers still in the edge of the dashboard?
I don’t remember if you even have seatbelts in that goat.....just ejection seats.
It’s fun to know someone else who has a *need for speed.*
One night I was riding with my cousin and we spotted the GTO on the side of the country road since it had obviously had broken down. So what does my cousin do? He pops the hood of the GTO and steals the chrome cover off the air filter.......LOL!
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