Did the GTO come from Tempest or LeMans?
12-12-2009, 01:21 AM
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Did the GTO come from Tempest or LeMans? So, according to Wikipedia the first GTO was an option on the LeMans.
According to Edmunds and MotorTrend the GTO came from placing the 389 in the Tempest.
Anyone know the truth to the GTO history?
According to Edmunds and MotorTrend the GTO came from placing the 389 in the Tempest.
Anyone know the truth to the GTO history?
12-12-2009, 01:41 AM
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I thought so too, but my dad claims they came from LeMans and a Tempest is smaller.
...just wondering, to make the GTO did Pontiac slap GTO badges on a Tempest or LeMans?
Pretty confusing....
...just wondering, to make the GTO did Pontiac slap GTO badges on a Tempest or LeMans?
Pretty confusing....
12-12-2009, 03:14 AM
#6
Tempest. The Lemans was a trim package and the GTO was just an upgraded Lemans and that is where some people get confused. If you ordered a GTO technically you got a Tempest Lemans GTO. You could not get a GTO that wasn't a Lemans until 1966 when the GTO became its own model.
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12-13-2009, 05:03 PM
#8
manilishi nailed it. '64 and '65 GTO was a trim option, i say trim option because you could get a 389 in a LeMans. in '66, a GTO was its own entity, though most everything was shared with the Lemans and Tempest. in '63 the Tempest WAS a compact. complete with hot little 6 bangers or half a 389 and also a 326 option for engines. flexable drive shafts as well. another little twist in GTO history was the ones based on venturas. think Pontiac Nova.
12-24-2009, 11:32 AM
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The Ultimate Pontiac GTO States The 1964 GTO was a $295.90 option on the Pontiac LeMans.
GTO stands for Gran Turismo Omologato.
It was the first mid-size car to use the engine of a full-size car as standard equipment.
The GTO could be ordered in three different body styles.
The hardtop had no post between the front side and rear side quarter glass.
Both windows could be rolled down to create one unobstructed opening on the side of the car.
The sport coupe had a pillar or post between these two windows.
The car was lighter because the extra roof reinforcement was not required.
The convertible was the third body style that the GTO was offered in.
The GTO's set of standard options included; bucket seats, special exterior trim (such as non-functional hood scoops), 325hp 389ci engine (optional Tri-power), dual exhausts, and 3-speed manual transmission with floor mounted shifter.
GTO stands for Gran Turismo Omologato.
It was the first mid-size car to use the engine of a full-size car as standard equipment.
The GTO could be ordered in three different body styles.
The hardtop had no post between the front side and rear side quarter glass.
Both windows could be rolled down to create one unobstructed opening on the side of the car.
The sport coupe had a pillar or post between these two windows.
The car was lighter because the extra roof reinforcement was not required.
The convertible was the third body style that the GTO was offered in.
The GTO's set of standard options included; bucket seats, special exterior trim (such as non-functional hood scoops), 325hp 389ci engine (optional Tri-power), dual exhausts, and 3-speed manual transmission with floor mounted shifter.
