Pontiac GTO 1966
Pontiac's was the shapeliest restyled '66 GM intermediate, and the GTO became its own model, although still Tempest-based. Fluted lamps dressed up its tail, and a few cards got red plastic front fender liners. GTO's four-barrel 389 again made 335-bhp, Tri-Power cost $112.51 extra. Car and Driver's Tri-Power with a 3.55:1 gear, took 6.5 seconds 0-60 mph and turned the quarter in a quick 14.05 at 105 mph. Total production for 1966 was 96,946 units, the highest one-year total ever attained by a true muscle car.
Pontiac GTO 1967
GTO for '67 was as stylish as ever, but the 389 had become the newly standard 400-cid V-8. Three versions were offered, all with 10.75:1 compression. In base trim, the 400 had 335-bhap via a Quadrajet carb; the High Output had a long-duration cam, improved exhaust manifolds and 360-bhp @ 5,100 rpm. Ram Air with a functional hood scoop rated at the same 360 horses, but at 5,400 rpm. GTO production totalled 81,722 for the year.
The front end of the '67 GTO changed little from the previous year, with the same twin-grille layout. The parking lights were still located in the grilled openings, but the grille inserts were now a simple, but hugely effective polished "chain-link" style. From the side it was difficult to discern much difference between a '66 and the '67. The side sheet metal though, was cleaned up with the Pontiac emblem lowered to the chrome strip.
1968
The second-generation GTO's curvaceous styling made it a winner. A huge design innovation was the new Endura bumper. The moulded appearance of the front end blending so well that it was difficult to determine where the sheet metal ended and the bumper began. Inside, the Goat's bucket-seat interior remained a study in the art of muscle-car cabins. Sales were definitely healthy: 87,684, of which 9,337 hardtops and 1,227 convertibles got the new 360-bhp 400-cid HO engine option.
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