The Pontiac GTO may have been the first true muscle car, but that distinction has never been enough to assure it an uninterrupted production run. Already, the Pontiac GTO has used up two lives. Originally produced from 1964-'74, the "Pontiac GTO" was resurrected for the 2004 model year after a 30-year hiatus. The new GTO (née Holden Monaro) was a definite sleeper style-wise, but in keeping with its muscle car heritage, it brought some serious under-hood heat.
Most Recent Pontiac GTO
Bland exterior styling was another weak point.
The bigger engine took the GTO up to a cool 400 horsepower, but between the 2 2 coupe's high price and dull styling, Pontiac simply couldn't sell enough of them. As a result, the Pontiac GTO was discontinued after the 2006 model year.
Past Pontiac GTO models
Introduced in 1964, the original GTO went through six generations before dying off after the 1974 model year. Always a rear-wheel-drive car, it was sold as both a two-door hardtop and a convertible with an assortment of big V8s. Legend has it that Pontiac stole the Pontiac GTO name from the equally legendary Ferrari 250 GTO, a car whose name was an acronym for "Gran Turismo Omologato."
The ostentatious GTO Judge model, sold in both body styles, is also less common.
A split dual-exhaust system adds an ominous rumble to the Pontiac GTO. A limited slip differential, three-channel traction control system, and four-wheel-disc anti-lock brakes come standard, along with a sport-tuned suspension for tenacious handling abilities. The '06 Pontiac GTO is distinguished by revised taillamp styling, which now features a black background instead of red.
Pontiac's first Holden Monaro-based GTO isn't even out yet--and here we are, speculating on the next model. Building it for several markets makes the Pontiac GTO economically viable. It also creates conflict because Holden needs a car that appeals to its customers' tastes. While the Aussies tend to like big, rear-drive V-8-powered cars, like we do, Holden is in the midst of shifting its design philosophy to match GM Europe's.
Pontiac GTO