Archive for the 'General Motors' Category

Yet another car from GM that looked like something your Uncle took the family on vacation in. 1965 was the first version on the Buick GS (Grand Sport) muscle car. Its big, its boxy, its heavy there was a definite trend in all the GTO wannabes GM was pushing out. Give it a spiffy name and increase the power and pouf, your selling a muscle car. In 1966 Buick now pumped up the 401 c.i. engine to increase the horsepower and it worked. The engine got more powerful but the style was still unappealing. The improvements in 1967 were minor, a little better style and little more efficient engine.

Now the GM magic year 1968, a much needed style change. I don’t know if Oldsmobile copied the Buick or the other way around but it worked. I liked the new Buick GS, a very sharp looking vehicle. The engines were the same except for a few versions in which Buick offered a modified version of the 400 c.i. engine and a better transmission. In 69 they added more engine power options and a working air induction system. A great car yet Buick GS was no real contender for muscle car of the year.

Now the 1970 model just could have made GS the muscle car of the year. Special paints and packages that increased the cool appearance of this Buick was enough to make the car desirable. Now you slam in a hot 455 c.i. power plant along with the induction hood and just like magic you got yourself a bonafide muscle car. Enough to be sure, but to late, like all good muscle cars the end was coming in the early 1970s. Less power and less glory until the GS had its unofficial end in 1972. The name was bantered around to other Buick models but in name only until the official demise in the late 70s.

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.