Highlights in the History of the Pontiac GTO

1968
Complete new body restyle was introduced in 1968, which included the GTO's first color-matched front-end. Color-matched front bumper features rubberized "Endura" material designed to repair itself after mild contact. "Endura" engineering breakthrough resulted in another "Motor Trend Magazine Car Of The Year" award. And, for the first time, covered headlamps are offered on any musclecar. Pontiac realized its second best sales year of more than 87,000 GTOs.

1969
Famed Ram-Air III and IV engines were introduced on the GTO in '69. Hood scoops became functional with Ram Air option. Special model known as "The Judge," named after popular TV show "Laugh-In" expression "Here come da' Judge," were introduced as sales hype. A special edition GTO featured the first use of pop-art striping and nameplate ID in decal form and breakthrough orange paint (Carousel Red) was used to introduce this special model. It proved unusually popular resulting in more than 80 percent of models featuring that color. "The Judge" also introduced a blade type stand-up rear deck spoiler, prompting a new industry trend. Sadly, musclecar sales began to slip as rising gas prices, new emissions regulations and safety features compromised ownership. GTO sales slipped to little more than 70,000 units.

1970
1970 revealed a dramatic new front-end styling, which featured custom "Frenched" headlight treatment. A 455cid engine was also introduced, as the first bigger cid engine option in GTO history. Exaggerated blade-type rear-deck spoiler resulted in a news-making down-force application—a spoiler that finally "spoils." Unfortunately, market trends continued to compromise the GTO's success as sales fell to little more than 40,000—and a new low-priced performance model GT-37 was introduced.

1971
GM forced all of its divisions in 1971 to lower engine compression ratios to no more than 8.5:1. In spite of lower compression, the newly introduced 455 cid HO V-8 produced 335 hp with remarkable performance. GTO once again became the premiere musclecar. Despite the performance numbers, GTO sales numbers fell to little more than 10,000 as America continued to change its tastes. A lower-priced GT-37 and modest sales of a newly styled Tran Am provided serious competition right in the Pontiac showroom.

1972
History definitely has its way of repeating: No longer its own model, the GTO again becomes just another "option" on the Le Mans. In spite of new front end styling on the basically "carryover" car, sales continued to slide. A proposed "Trans Am styled" ducktail spoiler never happens. Next, the GT-37 became the Le Mans GT, resulting in only 5800 GTO sales.