1964 Pontiac Tempest LeMans Hardtop

The GTO is credited with starting the Muscle Car Era. 1964 was the first year of the GTO. The offering was repeated in 1965 and in 1966 Tempest GTO became a separate series. There were 6,644 convertibles produced in 1964, with a sticker price between $3,200 and $3,400.

Included with the GTO package were dual exhausts, special GTO nameplates, simulated engine-turned dash panel inserts and dual hood scoops. A heavy-duty three-speed or close-ratio four-speed transmission was optional along with a more powerful Tri-Power engine producing 348 horsepower. The 325-horsepower GTO went from 0-60 mph in 7.8 seconds. Pontiac sold 32,450 Tempests with the GTO package during the 1964 model year.

The name 'GTO' was borrowed from Ferrari who had used the name a few years prior with their legendary Ferrari GTO series. GTO meaning Gran Turismo Omologato. The Pontiac GTO continued the production tradition of the GTO name by becoming what is widely accepted as the first Muscle Car. It was the work of John Z. Deloren who put performance components in a Tempest. The GTO option first offered in October of 1963 set the buyer back an additional $295.90. This package included a 389 cubic-inch V8 engine that produced 325 horsepower. There were dual exhausts, a four-barrel Carter AFB carburetor, three-speed manual transmission, a Hurst shifter, heavy-duty clutch and suspension, upgraded tires, twin hood scopes, GTO emblems, and a 3.23:1 rear axle ratio.

The white two-door Pontiac GTO shown with chassis number 824P66350 was drag-raced a few times in 1964 and 1965 in NHRA stock class competition. It has been driven sparingly since then, spending most of its time in a garage. The odometer reads just over 17,000 miles. It is equipped with a 389 Tri-power engine with a four-speed transmission and Hurst wheels. It was auctioned at the 2006 Worldwide Group Auction held on Hilton Head Island where it was expected to fetch between $75,000-$100,000. That estimate proved to be very inaccurate as the new owner got a bargain at $53,900.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2010