Archive for May, 2006
The GTO, a car made famous in song and story. I have to say that for a midsize car, the GTO made you feel like you were riding in a legend. Even though I live in the Northeast, my mind would always go to the west coast when I saw a GTO. Basic, high powered transportation. Whaa Whaa little GTO.
The first Pontiac GTO was introduced in 1964 an upgrade - in my opinion - from the Tempest, and many believe it to be the first real muscle car. The option was included on the 2 door coupe, hardtop, and convertible styles. A great idea, placing a large engine in a medium sized car with an affordable price range. The race was on!
The standard package included a 389 c.i. 4-barrel carb engine which produced 325 hp. Other standard equipment was a 3-speed manual transmission, H.D. clutch and suspension, and a 3:23 rear end. Other high performance items rounded out the package.
For a few extra dollars you could boost the package with 3 two-barrel carbs, a 4 speed tranny, 3.90 rear, better brakes, wheels and other items that really made the GTO a very sharp looking car. Pontiac sold over 75,000 GTO’s… and why not?
The body style changed a bit in 1966 and 1967 when the GTO came into a world of its own. I think this was the sharpest looking GTO of all. The smooth style and rounded features were a contrast to the sharp corners of the competition. What a beautiful machine… and who wouldn’t just love the 360 HP Ram Air option?
I also liked the change in body style in 1968, though not as much as the earlier models. You have to admit that the indestructo front bumper was a unique feature. Other options remained almost unchanged and the “Goat” was still running strong. 1969 was a good year for the GTO with the inclusion of “The Judge” option. Pontiac needed the boost to compete with my favorite, the Road Runner. A 366 HP Ram Air 400 cid engine and that funky paint job was a fantastic idea. As a mere 16 year old male, the site of that orange machine was very exciting to me. At a cost of around $3,300.00 a very good buy.
As with most of the muscle cars, pollution controls and gas mileage took their toll on the mighty Goat. The seventies beat down this innovator and with less and less power, and less and less style until it was criminally added as a package to the Ventura line - even as a hatchback no less. There shoulda been a law. Such a sad end to a very proud car.
The GTO makes a come back!
In 2003 Pontiac reintroduced the popular model. New comers and buyers of this new generation get the name and the feel of the legend but alas the muscle car feel is not there. Still an exciting drive I’ve been told, and even though it is not the same as back in the day, I am glad to see a return to style and excitement to driving.
The Mustang
A vehicle that became a legend all by itself in a class by itself. The Mustang - weather it is a GT, Shelby, or the everyday grocery getter - its name always conjures up the vision of galloping ponies running across the wide open plains. Admit it. If you are honest… you will admit it. So the first Mustang came out in 1964 ½ and a neighbor of mine bought one. I was 11 years old and I hung around with their son who was 10. There was nothing very special in that car. Just a 2 door plain light blue paint, automatic transmission, and a straight 6 engine mode of transportation, but wow! The emblem on the grill of the running horse was all it took.
What a future was in store for this “Pony Car”. A race inside of a race for the muscle car. Falling further away from the huge production cars of the early 60’s and into smaller, faster automobiles.
Sales on the Mustang took off with over 2 million sold in the first two years of production. A large variety of options, body styles and engines - the pony was here to stay.
Additions of a fastback style, and Shelby models and 6 different engine types were just a few things that allowed you to make this horsey your own. I think this is why the “Tang” was so very popular with the younger car buyers of the day.
1969 saw a larger Mustang brought into being. Along with the Mach 1 option. We got to meet the Boss 302 and 429. A new Sports roof, Coupe, Grande and Convertible now grace the showrooms and don’t forget the many, many options available to suit every need.
As we all sadly know, the 70’s slowly smothered the free spirit of our dream cars and the Mustang couldn’t out run the trend. Still great style, but less power and a bigger and heaver car. The once snug Mustang had become a larger mid-size car. Still offering seven different engine sizes from the humble 250 c.i. 6 cylinder to the Super Cobra Jet 420 c.i. 375 H.P. mill.
In 1973 however you knew the end was coming when the top engine was a puny 351 engine putting out a tiny 156 H.P. The worst was yet to come, however, when the Mustang II showed up in 1974 and took everything away from the once powerful Mustang. Sometimes I wonder what the car companies were thinking. How could you call the late 70’s imitation of a car a Mustang? Of any kind! Why dishonor the once proud name of the great ones? Ford wasn’t alone in this crime. All the majors did this and I think it was very wrong.
As we all know the Mustang has made a come back, as is the trend in these modern times. The style is back and the performance is back however I still don’t think it is the same. This site is in memory of the older cars. I suppose the “Fast and the Furious” is in all of us young and old, but “Sonny, it just ain’t the same!”
