GTO Data and ID Guide: 1964-1974. Pete Sessler

Чтение книги онлайн.

       The hood used two simulated scoops to give a performance look. The GTO was the only car to use two scoops in 1964. (Photo Courtesy Karl Lacker)

      The GTO, in name at least, evoked a high-performance European GT but was affordable for the American buyer. Pontiac decided to use the GTO moniker on the new-for-1964 A-body platform but only on the two-door coupe, convertible, and hardtop body styles.

       Exterior

      For identification, GTO lettering was mounted on the driver-side front part of the blacked-out front grille, GTO emblems were used on both driver’s side front and rear quarter panels, GTO lettering was used on the passenger-side rear part of the trunk lid and on the front and rear fenders, and a special GTO “6.5 litre” crest was used. This crest was used until 1969 when GTO lettering took its place. The actual metric displacement of the 389 was 6,372 cc, but some sources used 6,375 cc.

      Additional identification was used on 389s: The stock-painted valve covers were replaced with chrome, and two simulated hood scoops were available with the GTO only.

       Interior

      An eye-catching GTO crest was located above the locking glove box. Similar to the front-fender-mounted emblems, the interior GTO crest was larger, and the 1964 model was the only one to receive this larger crest.

      Probably the most noticeable interior difference was the engine-turned appliqué that surrounded the four-pod instrument panel. This was not used in any other LeMans and gave the GTO interior some pizzazz. Manual transmission GTOs also received a Hurst shifter, but some early cars received a version that did not have the Hurst inscription on the shift level. All GTOs came with standard bucket seats and all interiors received matching door panels and trim, except the Parchment interiors where the seats, door panels, headliner, sun visors, and windlace are finished in Parchment and the carpets, console base, rear package shelf, door kick panels, and dash pad are black.

      Bench seats did not show up on the GTO until the 1972 model year.

      The four-pod instrument panel, which was standard equipment on all other LeMans models, included the following gauges: On the far left, the pod contained an oil pressure gauge and battery; on the left-center was a 120-mph speedometer and odometer with a brake warning lamp; on the right-center, two gauges were housed, a fuel gauge and temperature warning lamp. On the far right, a decorative black plate was used; however, if an optional 7,000-rpm tachometer or the Rally clock were ordered, they would take the place of the decorative black plate. An additional gauge was also available; this was the manifold vacuum gauge, which was mounted on the console.

      The GTO could be ordered with one of two steering wheels. The standard GTO steering wheel was the Deluxe wheel, which was also used on the LeMans. It matched the color of the interior, but when a Parchment interior was ordered, the car received a black steering wheel. Optional was the Custom Sports steering wheel; it had four brushed-metal spokes and used an imitation wood rim.

      All GTO radios used the standard manual antenna, which was mounted on the passenger-side front cowl. Optionally, the power antenna could be ordered, but it was mounted on the passenger-side rear quarter panel.

       Engine and Transmission

      The standard engine on the GTO was the 389-ci V-8 rated at 325 hp at 4,800 rpm. Compression ratio was 10.75:1. Carter carburetion was used on the engine. The lower end of the engine used 3.00-inch mains and 6.625-inch long rods. The optional engine was rated at 348 hp and used the Tri-Power induction system. It consisted of three 2-barrel Rochester carburetors; the end carburetors were mechanically controlled, giving the GTO more power at a lower engine speed.

      All Pontiac engines used an oil windage tray and were equipped with chrome valve covers and a chrome oil filler cap.

       The standard transmission was a 3-speed manual. Note the Custom Sports steering wheel, too. (Photo Courtesy Marty Cieslak)

      The standard transmission was a 3-speed manual with a Hurst floor shifter. Optional were two 4-speeds: the M20 wide-ratio box and the M21 close-ratio box. According to the GTO club, the M21 was not installed by the factory. All manual transmission cars came with a 10.4-inch-diameter clutch.

      The 2-speed Super Turbine 300 Powerglide automatic was optional on both engines. It was not until 1967 that the 3-speed Turbo-Hydramatic became available.

      All GTOs came with a dual-exhaust system. The head pipes measured 2.25×0.075 inches and the tailpipes measured 2.00×0.055 inches. Optional with the duals were chrome exhaust splitters, and these were located behind the rear wheelwells. Early splitters were shorter than later production splitters. All GTOs, from 1964 to 1974, were equipped with a dual-exhaust system.

       Drivetrain

      As with other GM intermediates, all used the Saginaw manual steering box with a manual 24:1 ratio and five turns lock-to-lock. The Saginaw steering box was available from 1974 to 1967. More desirable was a quicker 20:1 power ratio box. Power steering GTOs used a power 17.5:1 box.

      Drum brakes were used on all four wheels. These could be either manual or power-assisted and measured 9.5 inches. The shoes measured 2.5 inches on the front pads and 2.0 inches on the rear, totaling 269.8 square inches. Semi-metallic brakes were optional. The brakes, though, were barely adequate, and even the 6-cylinder Tempest used 9.5-inch drums.

      The standard suspension came with firm shock absorbers and springs, and the GTO was also equipped with a .938-inch front anti-sway bar. A rear sway bar didn’t become standard until 1970.

       The wheels on this GTO used a hubcap with a 10-slot Deluxe wheel cover. (Photo Courtesy Karl Lacker)

      The standard steel wheels measured 14×6 inches with Redline 7.50×14 tires made by US Royal Tiger Paw. Whitewall tires were a no-cost option. You had several optional wheels to choose from: Standard was a hubcap, optional were a 10-slot Deluxe wheel cover, an 8-slot Custom wheel cover, and a wire wheel cover, which was available through dealers.

       СКАЧАТЬ