Pontiac's GTO is often credited as being the first muscle car. As model year 1966 ended, an astounding 96,946 GTOs traversed Pontiac assembly lines, which set a high-water mark that would cement the GOAT as the most salable muscle car that was produced during the golden age of performance.
Author David Bonaskiewich examines this model year in precise detail, taking into account every cosmetic change and optional hardware that warranted this sales boom. The Coke-bottle styling for the remodeled GTO certainly tipped the scales for some consumers. However, as they say, "The devil is in the details."
1966 Pontiac GTO: Muscle Cars In Detail No. 13 delves into those details, showcasing the vast array of optional equipment across its three bodystyles (hardtop, sports coupe, and convertible). Thorough examinations of the drivetrain, interior, suspension, brakes, and wheels and tires are exhaustive, which unveils exactly why the 1966 GTO was the most successful muscle car ever assembled.
Contents: ● Acknowledgments ● Introduction ● Chapter 1: Pontiac History “Bunkie” Knudsen Pete Estes and John DeLorean Tempest AMA and GM Racing Bans Super Duty Birth of a Legend: 1964 GTO Refined for 1965 1967 1968–1969 1970–1972 1973–1974 2004–2006 ● Chapter 2: Design and Concept Muscle Car Fever GM, Ford, and Chrysler Competition Tempest and LeMans GTO Becomes Its Own ModelGTO Bodystyles 29 ● Chapter 3: Marketing and Promotion Jim Wangers Advertising Campaigns in 1966 Royal Pontiac and the GeeTO Tigers ● Chapter 4: Hardware 389 Engines Tri-Power A.I.R. Exhaust Transmissions Rear End Interior Suspension and Brakes Wheels and Tires ● Chapter 5: Legacy and Present-Day Trends GTO Clubs and Resources Original-Owner Cars Day Two GTOs Auction Prices ● Appendix I: Production Figures ● Appendix II: Interior, Exterior, and Cordova/Convertible Top Colors ● Appendix III: Options List
