First Muscle Car of Pontiac GTO ~ Explore Automotive

General Motors' management issued an edict banning divisions from involvement in motorsport in early 1963. The GTO was the brainchild of Pontiac engineer Russell Gee, an engine expert, Bill Collins, a chassis engineer and Pontiac chief engineer John DeLorean. Pontiac advertising and marketing approach was heavily based on performance, and racing was an important component of this strategy, at the time. By using the ban on GM factory sponsored racing, Pontiac young visionary management, turned his attention to street performance with emphasis.

Pontiac marketing chief Jim Wangers manager, who worked for the advertising division of the contract and public relations agency, in his autobiography, "Glory Days", said that John DeLorean, Bill Collins and Russ Gee were indeed responsible for the creation of the GTO. It involved transforming the upcoming redesigned Tempest which was set to revert to a conventional front engine, front transmission, rear wheel drive configuration into a "Super Tempest" with the largest 389 cu in (6.4 L) V8 from Pontiac Catalina Pontiac Bonneville size and place of the standard 326 cu in (5.3 L) Tempest V8. With promote the big engine Tempest as a special high-performance model, they could appeal to the speed-minded youth market which had also been recognized by Ford Motor Company's Lee Iacocca, who was at that time preparing the Ford Mustang.
The name Ferrari 250 GTO, the successful race car was inspired from DeLorean's idea. It is an Italian abbreviation for Gran Turismo Omologato which means that officially certified to compete in the Grand Tourer class. The name drew protest from purists, who considered it close to sacrilege.

The GTO was basically a violation of GM policy limiting the A-body intermediate line to a maximum engine displacement of 330 cu in (5.4 L). Since the GTO was an option package and not standard equipment, could be considered to fall into a loophole in the policy. Pontiac General Manager Elliot "Pete". Although sales manager Frank Bridge, who did not believe they would find a market, insisted on limiting initial production to no more than 5,000 cars, they finally approved the new model. The model had been a failure, these probably would have been reprimanded. As it turned out, was a great success.

Here are various GTO Pictures Photos Images Gallery: