Highlights in the History of the Pontiac GTO

The GTO was born in 1964 as a result of Pontiac being forced out of active participation in racing. They needed a news-making product. It was created by the simple installation of a 389 cu. in. V-8 engine in a car originally designed to be powered by a 326 cu. in. V-8 engine. The first GTO weighed approximately 3500 lbs., and—of course—it ran.

1964
Pontiac's original plan was to build 5000 units. Huge positive public reaction resulted in more that 32,000 sales, limited only by availability of 389 engines. That same year, the hit record "GTO" often wrongly called "Lil' GTO" was introduced. What many called a 2 minute 31 second commercial became a huge hit selling over 1 million records. "Billboard Magazine" estimated the record was played more than 7 million times on domestic AM radio over the year. The infamous "Car & Driver" comparison test story on GTOs (Pontiac vs. Ferrari) was published. Pontiac was the big winner simply by being allowed on the same track with a Ferrari.

1965
Many critics said, "Everything wrong with the '64 was fixed in 1965," which meant more horsepower (360) and a better suspension. This was the first year the trademark Pontiac stacked headlights appeared on the GTO, as did the prominent (non-functional) hood scoop and styled steel Rally wheels. Sales rose to more than 75,000, as Pontiac GTO was named "Motor Trend" magazine "Car Of The Year."

1966
By 1966, GTO became a model unto itself, no longer a Le Mans built with the GTO option. A new roof style introduced a "tunneled" back window creating a fastback profile and slit-style taillights appeared, thus becoming GTO tradition. While sales continued to soar to a record high of almost 97,000, the once-famous Thom McAn shoe promotion resulted in over 1 million entries in car give-away sweepstakes. Thom McAn introduced a GTO shoe as the "World's First Hi-Performance Shoe." Later in the year, the famed "GeeTO Tiger" demonstration program performs at 24 drag strips across the nation. Spectators were invited to race the new GTO against a similarly prepared car driven by a mystery "Tiger."

1967
In 1967, Pontiac was forced to drop "Tiger" as a promotion idea and the car then became known as "The Great One." The 400 cu. in. engine replaced the 389, dramatic new Rally II wheel appeared and a new 3-speed automatic transmission resulted in a major increase in sales of automatic transmission-equipped cars. That same year, the famed "Monkeemobile" program resulted in major GTO exposure on the "Monkee's" television show and good tie-in promotion activity with sponsor Kellogg's Rice Krispies and Raisin Bran.