Pontiac GTO Origins

The GTO was the brainchild of Pontiac engineer Russell Gee, an engine specialist; Bill Collins, a chassis engineer; and Pontiac chief engineer John De Lorean. In early 1963, General Motors' management issued an edict banning divisions from involvement in auto racing. At the time, Pontiac's advertising and marketing approach was heavily based on performance, and racing was an important component of that strategy.



With GM's ban on factory-sponsored racing, Pontiac's young, visionary management turned its attention to emphasizing street performance.


In his autobiography ‚Glory Days,‚Pontiac chief marketing manager Jim Wangers, who worked for the division‚contract advertising and public relations agency, states that John DeLorean, Bill Collins and Russ Gee were indeed responsible for the GTO's creation. It involved transforming the upcoming redesigned Tempest (which was set to revert to a conventional front-engine, front transmission, rear-wheel drive configuration) into a "Super Tempest" with the larger 389 cu in (6.4 L) Pontiac V8 engine from the full-sized Pontiac Catalina and Bonneville in place of the standard 326 cu in (5.3 L) Tempest V8. By promoting the big-engine Tempest as a special high-performance model, they could appeal to the speed-minded youth market (which had also been recognized by Ford Motor Company's Lee Iacocca, who was at that time preparing the Ford Mustang).

Pontiac GTO




Pontiac GTO


Pontiac GTO


Pontiac GTO


Pontiac GTO


Pontiac GTO


Pontiac GTO


Pontiac GTO


Pontiac GTO


Pontiac GTO


Pontiac GTO


Pontiac GTO