1968 GTO

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1968 GTO

Nearly seven inches shorter in overall length than the 1967 GTO, the 1968 Pontiac GTO as well as the other cars in the Tempest/LeMans family received a completely new, more rounded body style. The stacked headlamps of the three previous years were replaced with the return of side-by-side headlamps. With the 1968 model, the GTO was the first GM car to have an Endura front bumper color-matched to the car’s paint. With the initial challenges of getting paint to adhere to the Endura bumper delaying full availability, the chrome LeMans bumper was briefly offered as a no-cost “Endura Delete” option for the GTO in early 1968. The $52.66 hide-away headlamps option was also new for the 1968 GTO. As with the 1967 GTO, the hood-mounted tachometer and the Rally II wheels were available options. The post coupe model was dropped, leaving only hardtop and convertible models for 1968.

The available engines for the 1968 GTO were once again variations of the Pontiac 400. The base engine for the 1968 GTO was a four barrel carbureted 400 rated at 350 hp. The optional four barrel carbureted 400 HO (for High Output) and the 400 HO with Ram Air were both rated at 360 hp. In March of 1968, Pontiac introduced the Ram Air II engine. With re-designed cylinder heads with large round exhaust ports, the header-type exhaust manifolds, forged pistons, forged steel crankshaft, a high-lift cam and high-revving valve-train, the Ram Air II engine was rated at 366 hp. A no-cost option two-barrel carbureted 400 (available only with an automatic transmission) was once again available for folks who wanted a GTO but not the added gasoline and insurance expenses that came with the higher performance engines. As in 1967, Pontiac used the famous 6.5 Litre emblem on the 68 GTO even though it related to the 389 cubic inch engines of the first three model years of the GTO.

The 1968 GTO was named Motor Trend’s “Car of the Year.”

1968 GTO Production Numbers:

77,704 Hardtops

9,980 Convertibles

Total Production: 87,684

 

1968 GTO Hardtop with the Optional Hide-Away Headlamps

1968 GTO Hardtop with the Optional Hide-Away Headlamps

A 1968 picture of a 1968 GTO Hardtop with the Standard Headlamps

A 1968 picture of a 1968 GTO Hardtop with the Standard Headlamps

 

1968 GTO Convertible with the "Endura Delete" Option

1968 GTO Convertible with the “Endura Delete” Option (Photo courtesy of ultimategto.com)

2013 Muscle Cars Postage Stamps

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2013 Muscle Cars Postage Stamps

The United States Postal Service has issued Muscle Cars Stamps as part of their “America on the Move” series. Represented by the 1966 model, the GTO is one of five muscle cars selected to have its own stamp. A sheet of 20 stamps has four stamps of each of the selected muscle cars. Visit https://www.usps.com/stamps/ for the official announcement of these stamps. You can also visit https://store.usps.com/store/browse/productDetailSingleSku.jsp?productId=P_842619&categoryId=promo_MuscleCars to view a picture of the beautiful GTO stamp.

1967 GTO

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 1967 GTO

The 1967 Pontiac GTO was again a full-fledged model instead of just an option package of the Tempest/LeMans and its appearance is very similar to the 1966 GTO. A new plastic grille, rocker moldings (including the relocated “GTO 6.5 Litre” emblem), and the taillamps are the most noticeable exterior differences between the 1966 and 1967 GTOs. Two new exterior options were introduced in 1967: A hood-mounted tachometer and the Rally II wheels. Again, the GTO had the signature Pontiac stacked headlamps and split front grille and was available in coupe, hardtop, and convertible models.

The biggest change between the 1967 GTO and the 1966 is under the hood. A 400 cubic inch engine replaced the 389 from the previous years and the famous “Tri-Power” carburetion was no longer an option. (Note: Despite the increase in cubic inches, Pontiac kept the GTO’s familiar 6.5 Litre emblems) The base engine for the 1967 GTO was a four barrel carbureted 400 rated at 335 hp. The optional four barrel carbureted 400 HO (for High Output) was rated at 360 hp. Header type exhaust manifolds, a hotter cam, and an open-element air cleaner contributed to the extra power. The cold air induction “Ram Air” kit making the center-mounted hood scoop functional could be ordered for the HO. A no-cost option two-barrel carbureted 400 (available only with an automatic transmission) was available for folks who wanted a GTO but not the added gasoline and insurance expenses that came with the higher performance engines.

1967 GTO Production Numbers:

65,176 Hardtops

9,517 Convertibles

7,029 Coupes

Total Production: 81,722

 

1967 GTO Hardtop

1967 GTO Hardtop

1967 GTO Convertible

1967 GTO Convertible

 

1967 GTO Coupe

1967 GTO Coupe (photo courtesy of motortopia.com)

 

Thunder Valley Show & Shine and Downtown Lincoln Car Show

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On Friday May 31st, 2013 there will be a Show & Shine at Thunder Valley Casino and the very next day, Saturday June 1st, 2013, there will be a Car Show in Downtown Lincoln. Please see the attached entry form. Members from the Northern California GTO Club will be showing their cars at the Friday night Thunder Valley Casino event.

Special note to Northern California GTO Club members:  If you plan to show your car at the Show & Shine on Friday May 31st, please contact John Gilbert at jg64gto@gmail.com  or 916.988.4419 to reserve your parking space with the club.

Thunder Valley and Downtown Lincoln Car Shows

1966 GTO

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 1966 GTO

In 1966, Pontiac made the GTO a full-fledged model instead of just an option package of the Tempest/LeMans. The 1966 GTO had the same wheelbase as the 1965 GTO, but was three inches longer with a little more weight. Once again, the GTO had the signature Pontiac stacked headlamps and split front grille and was available in coupe, hardtop, and convertible models. Unlike the 1964 and 1965 GTO coupes and hardtops, the rear glass of the 1966 GTO coupes and hardtops was set in a “tunnel back” fashion with sail panels sloping back from the roof.

The available engines for the 1966 GTO were the same as in the 1965 models, with the standard four barrel carbureted 389 V8 rated at 335 hp and the three two-barrel carbureted (Tri-Power) 389 V8 rated at 360 hp. The cold air induction kit making the center-mounted hood scoop functional for the Tri-Power GTOs was once again a dealer-installed option.

1966 GTO Production Numbers:

73,785 Hardtops

12,798 Convertibles

10,363 Coupes

Total Production: 96,946

 

1966 GTO Hardtop

1966 GTO Hardtop

 

1966_GTO_Coupe_Rear

1966 GTO Coupe – Rear (Photo courtesy of ultimategto.com)

1966 GTO Convertible

1966 GTO Convertible (Photo courtesy of flemingsultimategarage.com)

1965 GTO

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 1965 GTO

For the 1965 model year, the GTO was once again a $295.90 option for the Pontiac Tempest/LeMans. The 1965 GTO had twin stacked headlamps replacing the side-by-side units of the 1964 model and a single center mounted hood scoop. Once again, the GTO was available in coupe, hardtop, and convertible models.

With a more aggressive camshaft profile and a revised intake manifold, the horsepower rating of the standard four barrel carbureted 389 V8 was bumped from 325 hp to 335 hp. The horsepower rating of the three two-barrel carbureted (Tri-Power) 389 V8 was raised to 360 hp. In August of 1965, Pontiac introduced a cold air induction kit for the Tri-Power GTOs, making the hood scoop functional with the purpose of feeding colder air to the engine.

1965 GTO Production Numbers:

55,722 Hardtops

11,311 Convertibles

8,319 Coupes

Total Production: 75,352

1965 GTO Hardtop

1965 GTO Hardtop

1965 GTO Convertible

1965 GTO Convertible

 

1965 GTO Coupe

1965 GTO Coupe

1964 GTO

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 1964 GTO

Welcome to our first “About the GTO” post starting with the first year. Known as the first true muscle car, the 1964 Pontiac GTO (Grand Turismo Omologato) was actually a $295.90 extra-cost option for the Pontiac Tempest/LeMans. In 1963, General Motors instituted a corporate ban on all factory-backed racing programs which also meant keeping the power-to-weight ratios among regular production models in check. All new models had to be approved by upper management and large displacement engines were not getting approved for smaller cars, therefore, a compact car like the Tempest with a big cubic inch V8 would’ve never been approved for production. John DeLorean (yes, that John DeLorean), who worked for Pontiac at the time, found a way around this by making the GTO an option since new options on already existing models didn’t require approval above the division level.

The 1964 GTO was available in hardtop, coupe, and convertible models. The engines of choice were a 325 hp four-barrel carbureted 389 V8 or a 348 hp three two-barrel carbureted (Tri-Power) V8.

1964 GTO Production Numbers:

18,422 Hardtops

7,384 Coupes

6,644 Convertibles

Total Production: 32,450

1964_GTO_Hardtop

1964 GTO Hardtop

1964_GTO_Coupe

1964 GTO Coupe

 

1964 GTO Convertible

1964 GTO Convertible

Kool April Nights 2013

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Kool April Nights 2013

Kool April Nights 2013

Get ready for the 24th Annual Kool April Nights in Redding, Ca. where you’ll wake up to the roar of hot cars! What kinds of things will you see and do when you’re there…

Kool April Nights 2013 runs from April 13th to April 21st, a full nine day feast of all you can eat custom hot rods and restored classics. The kick off with the first show and shine will be at the Best Western at 2300 Hilltop Drive. You can use the map there to find other close by hotels if you plan to stay over and enjoy the event for a few days.

You’re sure to see miles of classic cars along with some of our club member’s cars shined up  in the show and hitting the cruise strip for the big Friday Night cruise. There are show and shines, trophies, food, music, dances, and cruising. That’s just a short list of the fun to be had at Kool April Nights 2013.

The public can purchase pre-sale tickets for $7 at local Raley’s Supermarkets and Napa Auto Parts stores. Admission to the big Kar Show, the main event on Satuday, will be $8 at the gate for the general public. The Friday night cruise, which is the other major hit of the nine day long event, will be free to all spectators. Be sure to grab your spot early because the place will be packed for this one of a kind parade of custom hot rods and restored classics.

They will have concerts in the mega tent outside the Redding Civic Auditorium with tons of classic Rock ‘n’ Roll tunes with hot cover bands featuring music of the Beach Boys and The Beatles to name a few, and so much more.

Take a peek at the Kool April Nights 2013 Schedule of Events and mark your calendars to be at the Kool April Nights 2013 Event. We’ve been and haven’t heard back from anyone that they didn’t have a total blast.

Take in all of the information about Kool April Nights 2013 on their site where you can see all the registration details, the schedule, awards, vendors, and so much more. Enjoy the event and be sure to share your experience with us when you get home with all the Kool pictures and videos you took at the event.

Also, if you’ve never seen the famous Sun Dial Bridge in Redding, CA Turtle Bay  this is something you’ll want to take a walk on for sure!Sun Dial Bridge Redding, CA