Many muscle-car aficionados agree the beginning of the muscle-car movement can be traced back to the 1964 Pontiac GTO. For clarity’s sake, a muscle car is typically defined as a mid-size American passenger car with a potent V8 under the hood, and some other attendant go-fast goodies. The GTO started as an option package for the Pontiac Tempest, conceived and built to capture a youth market that was attuned to performance.
GM execs, along with the heads of the other American auto builders, had signed an agreement in 1957 to stay out of competitive motorsports. The agreement was only loosely observed, with most companies providing thinly veiled assistance and performance to privateer racers. Pontiac staked most of their advertising to motorsports. But in 1963, when General Motors was selling 54 percent of all the cars in the U.S., while Ford held a little over 26 percent of the market and Chrysler just over 13 percent, GM brass started to fear the federal government would see them as a monopoly. As such, the GM execs wanted to avoid attracting any undue attention, and decided to enforce the rule of abstaining from motorsports participation. This killed most of Pontiac’s advertising, and also their hook for the youth market. The method to attract that market would come in the guise of a factory hot rod, the Pontiac GTO.
In the early 1960s, John Z. DeLorean was the Assistant Chief Engineer at Pontiac. Along with engineers Bill Collins, Russ Gee, and a few others, they decided to stuff a 389 cubic-inch V8 into a Pontiac Tempest. At that time, there was a rule around GM that mid-size passenger car engine displacement was limited to 330 cubic inches, so throwing the big Poncho V8 into the Tempest had never been done before. When the Pontiac guys took the car to GM’s Milford Proving Ground, they found out just how hot the Tempest was. Think power on tap and burnouts at will. The car was brutal, but fun. DeLorean dubbed the prototype the Pontiac GTO, much to the chagrin of Enzo Ferrari.
DeLorean pitched the idea of the Pontiac GTO as an option package on the Tempest to Pontiac president Pete Estes. When Estes brought up the rule about displacement, DeLorean suggested they skirt the issue by saying it didn’t apply to option packages. Estes liked the idea, but wouldn’t agree to it unless DeLorean could assure they would sell 5,000 copies a year. DeLorean promised they could meet the mark, but his guess was off a bit. First-year GTO sales were over 32,000 units.
The Pontiac GTO was more than just a big engine in a light car. The GTO could be had in either coupe or convertible configuration. The standard GTO 389 was fed by a Carter four-barrel carburetor, with the option for triple two-barrel carbs. The GTO featured a chrome air cleaner cover, chrome valve covers, a choice of a three-speed manual, four-speed manual, or a two-speed automatic transmission. The manual gearboxes came with Hurst chrome shifters. The GTO suspension was more robust than the Tempest’s, with a heavier front sway bar and stiffer springs. Wheels measured 7.50 x 14-inches and wore redline tires.
Our feature 1964 Pontiac GTO convertible has been treated to a frame-off restoration. It is finished in glossy Starlight Black with a black vinyl top over a bright red vinyl bucket seat interior. It is powered by the 389 cubic-inch V8 with the Tri-Power triple two-barrel carb setup. The engine bay is dressed with three chrome air cleaner covers and chrome valve covers. Backing the 389 is a four-speed manual gearbox with a chrome Hurst shifter.
The Pontiac GTO is equipped with a power convertible top, a red boot cover, wire wheel covers, whitewall tires, engine-turned dash, two-spoke read steering wheel, a full-length center console with locking storage compartment, and a Rally clock.
This sleek 1964 Pontiac GTO will cross the Mecum Auctions block at its Tulsa, Oklahoma event Saturday, June 7th.
Comments
This car portended the downfall and bankruptcy of GM. They learned to take a mediocre Tempest/LeMans drop a bigger motor into it along with some decals and other inexpensive accessories and charge “thousands” more for it. This continued and we got the Cimaron, 80s Olds 98, Montana, T-1000, Sky Hawks/Monza 2 + 2, Grand Am whatever’s and at the end the Vue/Torrent/Equinox. Even the Escalade is a knock off of a Suburban thanks to the upgraded Tempest.
Please come back when you know what you’re talking about.
Miles. What planet are you from? This car was the height of the “Golden Years” for the automotive industry in North America. (55-80) Yea. You, correctly, mention a few vehicles that didn’t please everyone but most of those still sold relatively well. I do agree that the 80s brought the beginning of most manufacturers building rather bland vehicles. How you came up with any correlation between the 64 GTO and the current Escalade is way beyond me. To each his own though. You are obviously not a Classic Car enthusiast cause WE all love this car. I’m pretty sure even a diehard Mopar or Ford fan would love to own this car. I would.
I just state facts and draw inferences from those. I come to conclusions. I realize people love these cars. I liked my ‘86 Cimaron with the electric antenna and people trash the car. I would never put people down nor criticize their choices or ride. I like anything with four or more wheels and a motor.
But GM policy, products and operations are open to criticism. I criticize the institution not the people.
Love how that car looks. I always liked Pontiac wish they were still around.
Does that include the T-1000, Torrent and Montana?
ha ha ha
One of my favorites as well. I own a 1964 Pontiac Parrisienne Convertible. White with red interior. Just love it!!!
It was one of those magical creations just as was the Mustang. The 1966 was a much better version, but I think some learned their lesson about that Tri-Power. It was so hard to keep right that a good buddy of mine got to the point where he tried to use only the center carb to avoid having to have a mechanic who knew how to sync the progressive linkage.
Beautiful but “luxury” wire wheel covers on a GTO is hysterical.
I love this GTO… I ordered from the factory a red ‘67 GTO with the rally steering wheel, rally II wheels, four speed manual, reclining passenger seat that came with rare head rests for both front bucket seats and no vinyl top or power steering or power breaks or AC. It was a fun car that I wish I still owned.
I was 16 years old and wanted a corvette, unfortunately parents said NO, too fast of a car and I would kill myself. I was working 2 part time jobs, grocery store in a gas station and saving every dime. When I saw the new Pontiac GTO I was in love. Told my parents I was buying a little Pontiac Tempest and they co-signed my bank loan. Metallic green, black interior, wooden inlaid steering wheel, 389 cu in with progressive tri power. And of course the 60’s we dragged race. That car ate corvettes for lunch on a quarter mile run. 1966 sitting at a red light, women in her bath robe on her way to get some more vodka, rear ended me at 50 miles per hour, totaled. Wish I still had my GTO.