The most iconic muscle car of the 1960s? A question with many good answers, but a strong case can be made for the 1966 Pontiac GTO – an example of which will be on display at the October Scramble, courtesy of resident digital agency TwentySeven Works.
Produced by General Motors, and championed by then-vice-president and general manager John DeLorean, the Pontiac GTO became a standalone model in 1966, separate from the Tempest line that preceded it, and came as a sports coupe, hardtop coupe, and a convertible.
The 1966 GTO was incredibly distinctive from a design point of view. It boasted a unique front-end look with ‘shotgun’ headlights, and eye-catching grilles, parking lamps, hoods, and ornamentation. At the rear, the GTO showcased its individuality with tail-lights featuring horizontal painted louvers on each side of the rear-end panels. These design elements gave the 1966 Pontiac GTO an unmistakable identity, setting it apart from its contemporaries.
Inside, ‘GTO’ featured on the doors and instrument panels, and buyers could choose from six different interior colour options of ‘Morrokide’ – Pontiac’s name for its hard-wearing vinyl. This attention to detail extended to optional features such as redline tyres and rally wheels, which added both style and performance to the GTO lineup.
Under the hood, the 1966 GTOs offered impressive power. The standard engine was a 389 cubic-inch V8 with a four-barrel carburettor, generating 335bhp. For those seeking even more power, an optional upgrade with three two-barrel carburettors pushed the horsepower to a formidable 360bhp. This highly desirable upgrade earned the name ‘Tri Power’.
Pontiac's advertising campaigns for the GTO in 1966 were equally legendary. Slogans such as ‘Speak softly and carry a GTO’ and ‘Pretenders, beware’ captured the essence of this muscle car. ‘The Great One’ became the most famous tagline associated with the GTO, making it an enduring symbol of power and performance.
So what makes it iconic? It had the looks, the performance and ‘the image’ – but sales? Even there the 1966 Pontiac GTO made an indelible mark. Sales soared and exceeded its competitors by a remarkable 232,000 units. Oh, and if that’s not enough, what about that ‘GTO’ moniker? There’s something wonderfully agitational about an American car manufacturer naming a car after Ferrari’s greatest-ever model…
The 1966 Pontiac GTO was more than just a car; it was a symbol of an era and should be considered the first ever muscle car. Today, the '66 Pontiac GTO remains a cherished icon in automotive history, a testament to a time when there was no substitute for style and power on the American highways.
The example on display at the October Scramble is a coveted Tri Power model, once owned by Paul Teutul Snr of ‘Orange County Choppers’ fame. He bought the car for his prestigious collection shortly after the Pontiac had been the recipient of ground-up restoration.
TwentySeven Works can be found in Building 94-1, on the Western Avenue.
Limited tickets remain available for the Scramble on Sunday 8 October – book now