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Bring the history, equipment, and options of the 1964-1967 Pontiac GTO into sharp focus with this in-depth, nuts-and-bolts guide.
Pontiac expert and long-time writer David Bonaskiewich reveals the hardware under the sheet metal: the V-8 engines, manual and automatic transmissions, rear differentials, interior options, color codes, and so much more.
In the early 1960s, Pontiac was remaking its image and needed a bold, sporty, and exciting new model to attract young buyers. Under the guidance of Pete Estes and John DeLorean, the engineers at Pontiac decided to stuff a 389-ci V-8 into the intermediate-sized Tempest to create the GTO. The GTO produced immense performance and quickly became a sensation. Pontiac had a high-performance street car that could light up its tires and outperform the vast majority of cars on the road. As a result, the GTO served as a blueprint for a generation of muscle cars to come.
The GTO set the standard for muscle car performance that the other manufacturers chased, and this legendary car steadily evolved and improved during its production run. The 1964 GTO offered a unique performance package over and above the Tempest. An optional 389 Tri-Power and stout 4-speed with dual exhaust delivered massive performance, while stiffer suspension, a limited-slip differential, and heavy-duty cooling system kept the car under control. By 1967, the Pontiac GTO was arguably one of the most attractive models ever with a wide range of engines and high-performance hardware.
If you’re looking for the comprehensive story of the GTO and its powertrain options, paint codes, interior appointments, and operational equipment, you’ve found it.
From the Publisher
The GTO set the standard for muscle car performance that the other manufacturers chased, and this legendary car steadily evolved and improved during its production run. The 1964 GTO offered a unique performance package over and above the Tempest. An optional 389 Tri-Power and stout 4-speed with dual exhaust delivered massive performance, while stiffer suspension, a limited-slip differential, and heavy-duty cooling system kept the car under control. By 1967, the Pontiac GTO was arguably one of the most attractive models ever with a wide range of engines and high-performance hardware.
By offering the GTO as an option on the LeMans and not a separate model, Pete Estes and his team were able to circumvent the GM policy that limited engines in midsize cars to 330 ci. This pristine Skyline Blue (code H) convertible would be a welcome addition to any collection. (Photo Courtesy Don Keefe)
The 1965 Pontiac GTO was a favorite among drag racers, especially the more rigid Sports Coupe model such as this. Don’t let the gorgeous Iris Mist paint deceive you; this car was built with many of the high-performance options available for that year, including the 360-hp Tri-Power 389-ci engine and 4-speed manual transmission.
The success of the GTO led some competitors to attempt to emulate the design characteristics of Pontiac’s trend-setting automobile. This pristine example of a 1966 hardtop clearly demonstrates why Pontiac was leading the muscle car movement, sending other manufacturers scrambling to keep up. This GTO is an ultra-rare Ram Air car and represents the pinnacle of GTO performance for 1966. (Photo Courtesy Chris Phillip)
This trio of 1965, 1966, and 1967 GTOs would be the envy of any Pontiac aficionado. It is evident that Pontiac Motor Division took great pride in style and performance, the two main ingredients to the GTO’s winning formula.
Pontiac’s famed hood tachometer debuted for the 1967 model year as a dealer-installed item and is quite popular among today’s enthusiasts. In 1968, the tachometer was redesigned with a lower profile in an effort to improve the driver’s view of the road. The taller, 1967 version is shown here.
Output for the optional Tri-Power engine remained at 360 hp and 424 ft-lbs of torque. Even though the Tri-Power arrangement is more commonly seen on present-day GTOs, the 335-hp 4-barrel engines were much more popular in 1966, with 77,698 units produced, compared to only 19,063 Tri-Power-equipped cars (excluding the 185–190 Ram Air Tri-Power engines).
For 1967, the optional Custom Sports steering wheel differed slightly from the previous year’s version. Brushed trim in place of chrome was the most noticeable change. Today, many GTO owners opt to install a Custom Sports wheel in their GTO, even if not originally so equipped. The underdash air-conditioning and radio are aftermarket items. The white shift knob is considered incorrect for 1967.
Publisher : CarTech; Illustrated edition (September 12, 2018)
Language : English
Paperback : 192 pages
ISBN-10 : 1613253850
ISBN-13 : 978-1613253854
Item Weight : 1.45 pounds
Dimensions : 8.5 x 0.5 x 11 inches
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