Posted on 11/11/2018 7:25:49 AM PST by ETL
Name
The name, which was DeLorean's idea, was inspired by the Ferrari 250 GTO, the successful race car.
It is an Italian abbreviation for Gran Turismo Omologato ("grand tourer homologated"), which means officially certified for racing in the grand tourer class.
But in reality, the Pontiac GTO was never really a certified Grand Tourer race car. Internally, it was initially called the "Grand Tempest Option", one of many automobiles in the Pontiac line up with a 'Grand' in it.
Despite these things, the GTO is one of the fastest cars ever manufactured by Pontiac.
First generation: 1964-67
Second generation: 1968-72
Third generation: 1973
Fourth generation: 1974
Fifth generation: 2004-06
source: wikipedia
Man, those are great cars! At 200K they are solid, and burn tires with ease. They weren’t garish in a Pontiac way, but great cars. I know where there is one with 36 miles...
They certainly look like crap, like damn near everything else since that time.
The ‘65 to me is the most beautiful...thank you for posting!
Back in the early 70s, I lived in an apartment complex. At the other end of complex there was a ‘64 GTO driven by a little old gray-haired lady.
And no, it was not Pasadena.
I wonder how many people tried to buy the car from her?
My brother wrecked his 68 GTO in a crash at 2:30 in the Morning. Seeing the condition of the car, its amazing he walked away nearly unscathed.
1966-67
In 1969 I bought a 1966 GTO, mini-flake maroon with chrome mags and glass packs. 389, 9/11 gears and a Holley dual carb intake. It flew! I once turned in a 12 second quarter mile at Pomona! Oh, BTW, GTO stands for Gas, Tires and Oil!
Maybe because I bought it used (around '67) but that car was nothing but mechanical trouble.
Still loved it. However not so sure I'd love going back to no cup holders and drum brakes.
66 and 67, the most beautiful Body Styles. My friends Brother had a 67.
Stacked Headlights and the slotted Tail Lights. Simply gorgeous.
I thought it stood for “Girls Take Over”. At least that is what their ad said.
I currently own a black 67 4-speed car, I am the second owner. I bought it almost 30 years ago when they were affordable.
1966
2006
My paternal grandfather bought a new 69 Lemans 2 door post body. Had the vent windows so he could ash his cigarette. 350/TH400 with bucket seats, floor shift and console.
He sold it to my parents in 73 when my grandparents bought a new Lemans.
In 1984 at the age of 7- I cried when dad sold it.
The car with its own song!
The three deuces setup was awesome under the hood.
My wife’s brother bought that identical car & color when he returned home from the Navy in 1965 and then couldn’t make the payments so we took over the contract and I raced here here in NW California for 3 years. I traded it in on a 1968 Chevrolet step side pickup that I still have. I’ll post a couple of photos when I find them...
My wife’s brother bought that identical car & color when he returned home from the Navy in 1965 and then couldn’t make the payments so we took over the contract and I raced here here in NW California for 3 years. I traded it in on a 1968 Chevrolet step side pickup that I still have. I’ll post a couple of photos when I find them...
Oh yes, back in the good old days of slick vinyl seats and no one wore a seat belt. The song slip sliding away comes to mind, especially on those long flat bench seats!!
In my younger days, my favorite was the 68.
As I got older, and today, the 65 is my favorite.
I’m probably a bit odd in that I like the body of the 73. Pales in comparison performance wise to what came before, but if you take it as it is, it’s not a bad looking car and still had some performance compared to what came out the rest of the decade.
My best friend growing up bought a brand new ‘64 a little after I came home from the service. Never let me (or anyone else) drive it though! It looked just like the darker blue one pictured, two scoops on the hood.
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