1967 Pontiac Tempest GTO

During the 1960s, the American public's appetite for cars with ever-increasing horsepower seemed endless. Pontiac introduced its second-generation Tempest in 1964, offered in coupe, hardtop, and convertible body styles, and available with a new GTO option package that included a 389 CID V8 fitted with a single four-barrel Carter carburetor that was capable of 325 horsepower. The engine was backed by a three-speed manual transmission and a Hurst shifter. Over 32,000 examples were sold that first year, and the 'GTO' soon became its own model designation. Numerous styling and performance options were bestowed upon the GTO during its lifespan, including a new Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission, and several engine options including a high-output 389 CID V8 with the Ram Air package.

The GTO was the work of Pontiac engineer Russell Gee, an engine specialist; Bill Collins, a chassis engineer; and Pontiac chief engineer John DeLorean. General Motors' management had issued an edict in early 1963, banning divisions from involvement in auto racing. This was rather unfortunate for Pontiac, who -at the time, was heavily invested in racing and performance. Following the ban, Pontiac's management turned their attention to emphasizing street performance. They accomplished this task by promoting the big-engine Tempest as a high-performance model.

The 1967 model year featured only minor styling changes for the 1967 GTO, as compared to the 1966 model, mostly in the front grille and tail lights. However, a GM corporate-wide mandate prohibited multi-carburetor engines, except for the Corvette, so the Tri-Power was no longer available. Good news arrived in the form of a 400 cubic inch motor, a bored-out version of the 389. Dramatic new Rally II wheels appeared and a new 3-speed automatic transmission resulted in a major increase in sales of automatic transmission-equipped cars. The 1967 GTO is considered by many GTO enthusiasts to be the 'Best looking' and most desirable of all GTOs. Also, in 1967 the Monkees TV show featured a 1967 GTO, the famed 'Monkeemobile' which resulted in major exposure for the car.

The base 400 cubic-inch V8 engine in the GTO with its four-barrel carburetor, delivered 335 horsepower. A new single four-barrel Hight Output option took over the discontinued tri-carburetor 360 HP engine. This option added $77 extra and added free-flow exhaust manifolds, an open-element air cleaner, and a higher-lift camshaft. Of the 81,722 GTOs built for 1967, 13,827 were equipped with the HO engine.