1964 Pontiac Tempest GTO Hardtop (RHD)

Description

Pontiac launched the legendary GTO in 1964 and for many automotive enthusiasts this was the first real muscle car.  The combination of an intermediate (mid-size) car with a big-block V8 first became an option on the Tempest Le Mans range of coupes, convertibles or hardtops in October 1963.  Costing an additional $295, the first-generation GTO was equipped with a 389-cid V8 with a four-barrel carburettor, hydraulic valve lifters and different cylinder heads.  For those needing more grunt the Tri-Power option was available, along with a whole array of suspension, brake and transmission options, plus power steering and a host of interior upgrades.  In standard tune the GTO was rated at a healthy 325 horsepower and Motor Trend magazine tested a convertible in January 1964, recording some impressive times: a quarter mile time of just 15.8 seconds at 93 mph, a 0-60 time of 7.7 seconds and a top speed of 115 mph, numbers that put Pontiac’s muscle car in elite company.  Other notable features included no-cost whitewall tyres, unique wheel trims and a dual exhaust system with two pipes exiting just behind the rear wheels on both sides.  Conceived by Pontiac’s group of so-called “Young Turk” executives led by John DeLorean and an advertising agent named Jim Wangers, the GTO package certainly achieved the desired aim of injecting a little excitement into the Pontiac brand and sales took off – by the end of the 1964 model year, no less than 7,384 coupes, 18,422 hardtops and 6,644 convertibles had found buyers, the average age being 25.7.  Ferrari may have invented the Gran Turismo Omologato but it was Pontiac who brought power to the people with their muscular namesake and these often underrated muscle cars are now finally receiving the recognition they have long deserved.