The 7 Best Years for the Pontiac GTO

72006

GM intended to offer limited editions of the fifth-generation GTO. On realizing that the Morano, on which the fifth generation was based, was hitting its end, and the cost of importing the car was a threat on sales, the 2006 GTO was rolled out.

This is quite similar to the 2005 GTO as it is powered by the same 6.0-liter (368 ci) LS2 V8 engine. On getting to the market, the 2006 GTO was quickly regarded as the fastest GTO ever sold in the US. With the 6.0-liter V8 engine, the car could deliver a whopping 400 HP.

62005

2005 GTO could be regarded as the middle model of the fifth-generation GTO, and it experienced a lot of upgrades from the previous model. Though purist demanded more of a nostril-hood, the automaker wouldn’t pay attention to that.

While the 2004 GTO carried a 5.7-liter LSI, 2005 replaced the engine with the larger LS2, which offered an additional 50 horsepower. This model also experienced improved larger brakes and a more useable trunk.

However, the car couldn’t make a lot of sales due to its high price tag, which was well over GM’s benchmarked price.

51965

Though 1965 is far from here, the 1965 GTO could still be the most beautiful GTO ever sold. This can be credited to the wrap-around taillights and vertically stacked headlamps, among other exterior design elements. Besides bringing necessary gauges closer to the driver’s sight, the car could generate an additional ten horsepower with the standard 389 V8.

Since GTO started gaining more traction in popular culture this same year, it could be right to say the 1965 GTO brought GTO into the limelight. This same year, GTO was found on number four on the Billboard Hot 100. With this, Pontaic recorded double sales of what it used to have, a success that triggered competitions.

41966

Before the 1966 GTO release, Pontiac sold other model years as a trim package, but the 1966 GTO didn’t follow this path as Pontaic offered it as a stand-alone model. This model featured a tunneled back window and took a classic “Coke-bottle” shape.

Though it shared the same 389 V8 engine with the 1995 model, the 1966 GTO had the highest sale ever in the GTO’s history.

31970

Before 1970, GM placed a ban on big-clock engines in mid-size products. However, in 1970, the ban was lifted, and every GM division was looking for a means to take advantage of the liberty. Hence, Pontiac released the 1970 GTO with the 455 V8 as a beefy optional engine. This same year, the brand discontinued the 400/2-barrel carb motor.

Unlike previous models, the new model featured four individual headlamp nacelles instead of a sleek hidden headlight option but still keep the distinctive Endura nose. However, the public had started losing interest in muscle cars, and this affected muscle car sales. As such, the 1970 GTO didn’t gain as many sales as previous models.

21964

This was the first model year for the Pontiac GTO. At first, the management was advised to equip the first GTO with the 389 V8 engine, but the management predicted it wouldn’t gain traction and there won’t be many sales, but they were wrong. Thankfully, they finally decided to try the engine. When the cars were released, knowledgeable enthusiasts could see the potential, and many copies were sold.

With this success, the 1964 model paved the way for subsequent GTO models.

11969

The 1969 GTO came to deliver the image that popped up in every enthusiast's head when talking about car fans. The model was able to gain traction with its excellent construction, including the Ram Air III and IV setup as well as the A-body generation that featured an Endura nose, hidden headlights, with no front vent windows.

In terms of performance, the 1969 GTO was a force to reckon with in the lineup. With this great feature, the 1969 Pontiac GTO is the most highly-priced GTO model today, even though it didn’t have the best performance, nor was it the fastest model on the lineup.