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Was the Pontiac GTO the first muscle car?
As a result of this team’s ingenuity and cunning, the Pontiac GTO was unveiled to the public in 1963 as an option to the LeMans. In 1964, buyers could purchase it, launching the vehicle into muscle car history. The Pontiac GTO is commonly regarded as the first muscle car in automobile history.
What is considered the first muscle car?
Oldsmobile Rocket 88
1950s: Origins Opinions on the origin of the muscle car vary, but the 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88, is cited as the first full-sized muscle car.
What was the first muscle car of the 60s?
1964 GTO
The term “muscle car” didn’t originate until the 1960s. Pontiac was the first to coin the phrase, describing their 1964 GTO as a muscle car.
How much is a 64 GTO worth?
Given the engineering love that has gone into it, the rich history surrounding its production, and the bragging rights it holds, a decent-condition 1964 Pontiac GTO should command a mean $35,000 at the very least. This will cover the cost of restoration and will have you cruising down the street like it’s the 60s.
What does the GTO stand for in Pontiac GTO?
Gran Turismo Omologato
This ritual is summarized by the three most famous letters ever worn by an automobile: “GTO” stands for “Gran Turismo Omologato,” which, loosely translated from the Italian, means homologated (recognized for competition) grand-touring car.
Why were muscle cars popular in the 1960s?
Muscle cars became popular with young drivers in the mid-1960s. Not only were they sleek, attractive, and powerful, they were also affordable and able to be driven for everyday street use, as well as formal and informal drag racing.
Why is the 1964 Pontiac GTO so famous?
“The new GTO does what so many others only talk about – it really does combine brute, blasting performance with balance and stability of a superior nature” – Car and Driver, 1964 1964 Pontiac GTO was initially offered as an option package on Pontiac Tempest LeMans. The car is considered as the very first muscle car.
How did the GTO become America’s first muscle car?
Driven partly by its performance and partly because of a very effective marketing campaign, the GTO quickly become a sales success, and thus launched the journey of one of America’s most iconic automobiles. Soon, other brands — both from within General Motors and all across Detroit — wanted to get in on the action, and the muscle car era was born.
What was the first muscle car?
The car is considered as the very first muscle car. Essentially, it is the first one to coin the concept of high-performance, low –cost muscle cars. While a maximum of 5000 sales were expected, total sales of 1964 Pontiac GTO summed up to 32,450 units.
What’s the difference between a 1966 and a 1967 GTO?
The styling was all new, and not only did the car become its own model, separate from the Tempest line, ’66 also saw the highest sales numbers for any year the GTO was produced. Only minor differences separate the exterior of the ’66 and ’67 GTO, but there were significant changes underneath.