The Pontiac GTO was conceived early in 1963 by Pontiac’s John DeLorean, Bill Collins, and Russ Gee. The trio wanted to make a factory hot rod by replacing the standard 326 cubic-inch V8 in the mid-size Pontiac Tempest with the 389 cubic-inch V8 from the full-size Pontiac Catalina and Bonneville. At the time, General Motors had an internal edict that mid-size cars were not to have engines in excess of 330 cubic inches, a rule Pontiac chose to ignore, saying it didn’t apply to engines offered as “options.” Elliot “Pete” Estes approved the model as a Tempest option package, with an initial production limit of five thousand cars. Thus, the first Pontiac muscle car was born.
The GTO moniker was DeLorean’s idea. The car was known within Pontiac’s walls as the “Grand Tempest Option,” but DeLorean engaged in a little artful licensing from the Ferrari 250 GTO (Gran Turismo Omologato, or an officially homologated grand tourer) race car name. The Pontiac GTO was never considered a grand touring car, but the not-so-veiled nod to the Ferrari name created its own buzz.
Just the second year of production for the Pontiac GTO, the 1965 model year saw a restyle with stacked dual headlights per side, just over three inches more in overall length, with interior dimensions and wheelbase remaining static. A simulated hood scoop was added, with a dealer-installed underhood pan and gaskets available to convert the hood scoop to a cold air intake. Weight increased by roughly one hundred pounds. Brakes were bigger, heavy duty shocks were made standard, and front roll bars were beefier. The dashboard was also revised with the addition of an available rally gauge cluster.
The Pontiac GTO’s 389 cubic-inch V8 saw improvements in the guise of revised cylinder heads, high rise intakes, and a bump to 335 horsepower for the four-barrel equipped mill, and 360 for the Tri-Power three two-barrel setup. A three-speed manual transmission was standard, while two different four-speed manuals and a two-speed automatic were available options. Transistorized ignition was optional.
A Tri-Power Pontiac GTO hardtop was tested by Car Life magazine. Equipped with a close-ratio four-speed trans, power steering, the 4.11 Saf-T-Track limited-slip rear end, it posted a 5.8 second zero-to-sixty mph time, shot through the quarter mile in 14.5 ticks at 100 mph, and topped out at 114 mph.
Our feature 1965 Pontiac GTO hardtop has been treated to a comprehensive restoration. It is a deep Montero Red over black vinyl interior. This Goat is equipped with a 389 cube V8 topped with the Tri-Power carb arrangement, a four-speed manual transmission, Saf-T-Track limited slip rear differential, Hurst shifter, bucket seats, AM radio, and Rally wheels wrapped in Redline tires.
Included in the sale of this Pontiac GTO is Pontiac Historic Service documentation. This outstanding GTO will be crossing the auction block at the Mecum Auctions Dallas, Texas sale happening September 8th-11th.
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Comments
Nice !! Now why can’t all vehicles be this easy to work on ?
My favorite car out of 60.1965 GTO 4 speed. I changed to a 1969 400 360HP.It met its end on a rainy friday night.I can still picture it balancing on another car in my neighbors junk yard.My local street racer.
Re; The auction. Where and when?
GTO and all mid-sized GMs from ’64-72 changed every year but they were all attractive. A car that was a great size, room for 5, great style, big trunk and performance in like 15 colors. What a concept.
I worked pumping gas part time at an Esso gas station after school, now know as Exxon in 1970. The gas station was well known as a speed shop in Ridgewood NJ. When they cut out the wheel wells for slicks, I asked, “won’t everything in the trunk get wet?? They all looked at me like I was nuts. Ah well……………
Thomas, I’m from Bergen Cty, too.
I didn’t like this bodystyle of big-butt, small backseats that was corrected in the iconic 68-72 bodystyle.
I always liked the sleeper look .If I could afford on now I would have another.When I had my Plymouth Roadrunner I was always getting challenges on the road.
Today a 2004-2006 GTO would be good.The 2004 350, 350HP would be nice again.I should of kept mine.I am looking for another 2004 .
This was a great era, where the best that GM had to offer were designed and built.
It was a time when the people in charge were great visionaries, with true passion for the cars they designed and built!
Today’s GM is run by soulless, number crunching business people with little knowledge and passion for the vehicles they produce.
I had a 1965 Tiger Gold Hardtop, Blacktop, and Special edition Hearst with 3 duces – 365 HP. Redline tires, splitter exhaust.
What a beautiful automobile, wish I still had it!!
Does anyone have any photos of the 1965 GTO that raced called the Torquen Tiger??