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For the 1964 model year, the GTO was an optional package on the intermediate-sized Pontiac LeMans.
Muscle cars are generally known to be affordable mid-size cars that are equipped with over-the-top engines which offer an astonishing acceleration prowess and a performance-oriented drive quality. The period between 1964 and 1972 were the golden years for muscle cars. During this time, every American automaker, or almost every division, rushed to produce several of their own muscle models to meet the burning demands of car enthusiasts.
The Pontiac LeMans, with the GTO (acronym for Gran Turismo Omologato) package, is known to be the car that started it all. This GTO performance package gave the Pontiac Tempest LeMans a high-performance 389 CID V8 engine, GTO exhausts as well as themed exterior styling cues that included the special GTO badges and dual hood scoops. As the pioneer of the muscle car segment, the Pontiac GTO was the nameplate that represented the Pontiac marque on the market.
The Pontiac may have had a not-so-pleasant acceleration, and below-average handling, but this was the '60s - right at the brink of the segment. According to General Motors, about 32,450 Tempests that had the GTO package were sold during the 1964 model year, and, with the buzz in the muscle car segment, the Pontiac GTO flourished with 254,000 units produced over the next 3 years. Today, the Pontiac GTO is an iconic muscle car breed that still retains an irreplaceable status. And to the majority of American car enthusiasts, it holds a unique place in automotive history.
We’ll be taking a closer look at the 1964 Pontiac GTO and discussing all the features that made it an iconic 60s muscle car
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With the GTO package, the Pontiac Tempest was equipped with a powerful 6.4-liter V8 engine that made around an astounding 325 horsepower at 4800 RPM. Power went to the wheels through a floor-shifted 3-speed manual gearbox that was controlled with a Hurst shifter. Facilitating the internal combustion inside the Pontiac V8 engine was the strong single Carter AFB four-barrel carburetor, with chromed valve covers and air cleaner. Delivering 325 horsepower in a standard form or 348 hp in a high-performance form, the Tempest GTO delivered a stunning drive.
Thanks to the refinements, the engine could propel the fairly lightweight body from a standstill to 60 mpg in just 6.6 seconds and could go up to a standing quarter mile in 14.8 seconds with a trap speed of 99 mph, as results from a test drive by Car Life Magazine back in the day. But despite promising a great performance, the Pontiac GTO received heavy criticism from numerous automotive journalists and owners for its sluggish steering and less responsive steering. One thing the Pontiac GTO would’ve done better was on the brakes, which, like on the standard Tempest trim, were weak. On the bright side, the Pontiac GTO still performed well at higher speeds and on straighter roads. Speaking of high speeds, the Pontiac GTO had a top speed of 115 mph, which was laughable considering its engine, but was enough speed to leave the 1964 Studebaker Avanti biting dust.
Buyers who wanted more out of their GTO could opt for the available features, which included a 4-speed manual, 2-speed auto, and a limited-slip differential that compensated for a loss of traction. There was also a potent “Tri-Power" engine with three two-barrel carburetors, making around 348 horsepower. Other optional features were a ride and handling package, heavy-duty cooling, metallic drum brake linings, and a plethora of power and convenience accessories. With all the options added, the GTO weighed around 3,500 pounds and cost a total of $4,500.
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When the GTO made its way to the scene, it joined the second-generation standard Pontiac LeMans, which, by 1964, had already become a separate model from the Pontiac lineup. In terms of the design, the normal Pontiac LeMans was largely similar to the performance-based GTO trim.
It was offered in a 2-door convertible, hardtop as well as a coupé shape, to serve multiple customers with different styling and driving tastes. In dimension, the Pontiac GTO measured around 206.4 inches in length and 74.4 inches in width, which was like the middle ground between the slightly larger Dodge Polara 500 and the smaller Chevrolet Chevelle.
On the outside, the Pontiac GTO’s styling stood out for its unique hood scoops at the front and dual exhausts at the rear end, with GTO badges, flaunted on both ends. The wider wheels with 7.50 x 14 redline tires significantly boosted its profile with a sporty taste.
The Pontiac GTO’s interior was largely just taken from the standard LeMans trims, with courtesy ambient lighting, carpeted lower door panels, and a special deluxe steering wheel. Extra bucks unlocked a cool-looking tachometer that sat at the far right of the dashboard.
Wilfred Nkhwazi is a screenwriter, actor, and sports car enthusiast from Blantyre, Malawi. He has written 2 feature films and a thriller trilogy. Wilfred is pursuing an Electric Car Technology program and spends a lot of his time writing for hotcars.com, penning down fast whips, celebrity collections, and everything else in-between. When he isn't writing, he loves to take long drives around the city, make music, and drink hot chocolate.