The Complete Book of Pontiac GTO gives you a year-by-year, model-by-model exploration of the world's first muscle car, all in full color photography, most of which has never been published. When Pontiac created the original muscle car—the GTO—it reshaped the automotive world like a four-inch piston going through a three-inch cylinder bore. Everything changed the moment John Zachery DeLorean and his crew of hot-rodding miscreants bolted a big engine into a smaller car and created the 1964 GTO. Make no mistake: DeLorean and his partners in crime were genuine outlaws. The GTO broke so many of General Motors' corporate rules that the people responsible should have been fired. And they would have been, except the car was a hit. The Complete Book of Pontiac GTO explores every iteration of the first car created specifically for baby boomers. With rare photography from the archives of Hot Rod and Motor Trend magazines, this book is the complete resource for fans of of the world’s first muscle car.
In 1963 Pontiac's Chief Engineer John DeLorean and his two favorite staff engineers, Bill Collins and Russ Gee, came up with an inspired way to keep Pontiac cars in the performance limelight: bolt a big engine into Pontiac's upcoming Tempest intermediate body. Thus was the GTO born. Through cunning, resourcefulness, and outright trickery the minds of Pontiac managed to get this rocket into dealerships and out onto America's highways, and to introduce that most iconic of American automobiles, the muscle car, to the nation’s most discriminating drivers. This is the story of the GTO, of the people who made it a reality and a sales sensation, of those who owned and loved the cars. And it is, above all, a story of the cars themselves, from the initial option package offered for the 1964 model year through the high-performance late-model standouts. With color photographs, drawings, and detailed stats, this book is not so much the story of a historic car as an illustrated biography of American muscle.
Pontiac's GTO is often credited as being the first muscle car. As model year 1966 ended, an astounding 96,946 GTOs traversed Pontiac assembly lines, which set a high-water mark that would cement the GOAT as the most salable muscle car that was produced during the golden age of performance. Author David Bonaskiewich examines this model year in precise detail, taking into account every cosmetic change and optional hardware that warranted this sales boom. The Coke-bottle styling for the remodeled GTO certainly tipped the scales for some consumers. However, as they say, "The devil is in the details." This book delves into those details, showcasing the vast array of optional equipment across its three bodystyles (hardtop, sports coupe, and convertible). Thorough examinations of the drivetrain, interior, suspension, brakes, and wheels and tires are exhaustive, which unveils exactly why the 1966 GTO was the most successful muscle car ever assembled. Tune up those Tri-Power carburetors, turn on your favorite tune, and twist the key with 1966 Pontiac GTO: In Detail!
Authenticity getting your goat? This updated second edition now includes additional GTO models from 1971 and 1972! Determine the proper part numbers with this detailed, accurate, year-by-year guide showing you the right way to do a full-scale restoration. Over 1,000 photos, part numbers, codes and color charts from original factory literature point out what goes where, what parts are good or bad, and the best way to put them together. 2nd ed.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2004, the Pontiac GTO is a true American automotive milestone. The 1964 GTO packaged several high-performance components-floor shift, performance suspension, 389 V-8 engine, quick steering, and dual exhaust. This book offers the inside story of the long and distinguished history of Pontiac's GTO on the streets and race tracks of America. Author and photographer Steve Statham traces the evolution of the GTO in its first decade, through all models including the Tri-powers, Ram Air models, Royal Bobcats, the Judge, and more.Previous
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial} After a brainstorming session, Pontiac executives and engineers decided to slot a 389-ci V-8 into the intermediate-sized Tempest against GM rules and the GTO was created. Little did they know what a profound impact that decision would make. The GTO would become a sensation and later was recognized as the first muscle car of the 1960s. Visionaries Pete Estes, John DeLorean, and other key Pontiac executives knew the youth market was waiting for a bold, lightweight sporty car. When their staff toyed with the concept of putting the large V-8 in the car, Pontiac executives jumped on the idea to meet that perceived market demand. Pontiac had a high-performance street car that could light up its tires and outperform the vast majority of the cars on the road. It also reshaped Pontiac’s image of a company producing stodgy, lumbering full-size cars into a high-performance youth brand. Pontiac expert and long-time writer David Bonaskiewich delves deep into the GTO model and its history, bringing the equipment and options of this iconic muscle car into full focus. He 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. When the GTO was released in 1964, it was offered as a unique performance package to the Tempest, and high-performance enthusiasts stood up and took notice. Examined are the GTO’s 4-barrel 389 with dual exhaust, 3-speed floor shifter, stiffer suspension, limited-slip differential, and heavy-duty cooling system. The 1965 GTO was restyled with more interior room being added, and the renowned 389 Tri-Power engine joined the lineup, cranking out 360 hp. By 1966, the GTO was a runaway success. Pontiac made the GTO its own model, and it featured a sleeker Coke-bottle styling. A convertible joined the hardtop, and a pillared coupe also joined the lineup. The 1967 Pontiac GTO was arguably one of most the superbly styled models ever, with a wide range of engines and high-performance hardware. All of these important upgrades, advancements, and model evolutions are covered in exceptional detail. The GTO stands alone in the annals for muscle car history. Not only did Pontiac create a classic muscle car, it created the muscle car blueprint that other Detroit manufacturers followed in the years to come. A glossy surface overview of this iconic model does not do it justice. If you have been searching for the in-depth, nuts-and-bolts guide to GTO equipment and options, you need look no further. p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial}
The Complete Book of Pontiac GTO gives you a year-by-year, model-by-model exploration of the world's first muscle car, all in full color photography, most of which has never been published. When Pontiac created the original muscle car—the GTO—it reshaped the automotive world like a four-inch piston going through a three-inch cylinder bore. Everything changed the moment John Zachery DeLorean and his crew of hot-rodding miscreants bolted a big engine into a smaller car and created the 1964 GTO. Make no mistake: DeLorean and his partners in crime were genuine outlaws. The GTO broke so many of General Motors' corporate rules that the people responsible should have been fired. And they would have been, except the car was a hit. The Complete Book of Pontiac GTO explores every iteration of the first car created specifically for baby boomers. With rare photography from the archives of Hot Rod and Motor Trend magazines, this book is the complete resource for fans of of the world’s first muscle car.
Collector's Originality Guide: Pontiac GTO 1964-1974 provides a bumper-to-bumper look at every component that makes the GTO a classic, from the distinctive taillights of the 1964 GTO to the Radial Tuned Suspension of the 1974 model. Year by year, component by component, you'll discover a comprehensive and useful guide on factory specifications for restoring, re-energizing, and simply admiring the pride of Pontiac.
