Pontiac GTO Brought Back to Life With New, Intriguing Rendering
With styling touches stolen from a number of vehicles, this modernized Pontiac GTO is an interesting idea.
The Pontiac GTO is a true icon in the automotive world as arguably the very first real muscle car when it launched in 1963. What started out as an optional package later became its own, separate model and lasted four generations before it was discontinued following the 1974 model year, just as high gas prices and smog regulations were killing off automotive performance in general. Of course, the Pontiac GTO was later reborn for the U.S. market courtesy of the Australian Holden Monaro in 2004, but it only latest three model years and then disappeared once again. Now, however, The Sketch Monkey has brought it back to life via a new rendering, at least.
Using the fifth generation model as the basis for his modernized Pontiac GTO, The Sketch Monkey applied some newer GM styling cues via the latest version of the Chevy Camaro and its front end. Interestingly enough, he also borrowed the new Acura Integra’s headlights, as well as the Dodge Charger’s hood and wheels to make one new design that’s a bit of a hodgepodge. Somehow, it all somewhat works, however, though whether it looks good or not is certainly up for debate.
As our host points out, many felt like the fifth-gen GTO was a bit too bland in terms of its styling, and it was – if nothing else – conservative. However, its design is also timeless, and still holds up today, which has made the last-gen model a pretty popular collectible. Of course, its LS powerplants didn’t hurt either, offering up solid performance with a manual transmission option and rear-wheel drive for proper smoky burnouts on command.
In terms of design, The Sketch Monkey essentially gives his new version of the GTO some straighter lines, modernizing it in that regard while also keeping its signature grille and adding in a large hood scoop. There are other modern cues such as flush-mounted door handles and those super-slim headlights. Overall, we think it looks decent – if not a bit too Honda-like in some regard – but then again, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. All we know is, we’d love to see the GTO make a comeback, and this exercise only hardens our resolve.
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