The front end of a sparkle red 1964 Pontiac.

• Pontiac's general manager, Bunkie Knudsen, hired John Z. DeLorean and Pete Estes to run Pontiac. They developed the 1961 Pontiac Tempest.
  
• In 1964, they put a big engine in the Tempest LeMans and created the GTO as a $295 option, getting around corporate rules on power-to-weight ratios.
  
• In 1964, the two-door hardtop was the most popular GTO, selling 18,422 units--only 6,644 GTO convertibles were made that year.
  
• The1964 GTO engine with four-barrel carburetor produced 325 HP.
  
• The powerful option of three two-barrel carburetors produced 348 HP.
  
• GTO was an instant success, and in 1966 it became its own model.
  
• In 1965, vertical headlamps and more power were part of the New GTO look.
  
• In 1971, GM ordered compression ratios cut back on all car engines, which affected the GTO's performance. In 1972 and '73 the GTO was reduced to an option on the LeMans.
  
• In 1974 it was an option on the Ventura model--an ignominious end to a great car.
  
• The 2004 GTO was made in Australia by Holden, a subsidiary of General Motors.
  
• The 2004 GTO LS1 engine features a 5.7 liter, aluminum block V8 rated at 340 HP.

Resources

GTO Association of America
www.gtoaa.org

Pontiac Enthusiast Magazine
www.pontiacenthusiast.com
www.geetotiger.com

Glory Days: When Horsepower and Passion Ruled Detroit by Jim Wangers

Jim Wangers Productions
Vista, California
www.jimwangers.com
Wangers is known as the "godfather of the GTO." His website offers history, mail-order memorabilia and info about mechanic services that include converting cars into Royal Bobcats.

Special Thanks
Vehicles and Photos courtesy of Jim Wangers