1964 Pontiac GTOThe Pontiac GTO is heralded as being the first true muscle car, and is certainly one of the most famous high performance vehicles in muscle car history. Named after the notorious Ferrari 250 GTO, the name is actually an acronym for Gran Turismo Omologato.At the time, most performance vehicles were styled around full sized sedan bodies. To compensate for the sheer size and weight, car builders crammed in the largest displacement engines available. These big beasts performed relatively well, although they were a bit slow off the line. The GTO started as an optional package on the Pontiac Le Mans, and was the first car to use the A-Body Platform.For about $300 extra, Hot Rodders could get themselves a car with a 389-cubic-inch V8 engine that put out 325 [email protected] rpm. It also included a 421 style cylinder head, dual exhausts, Carter AFB four-barrel carburetor, a mild hydraulic camshaft, special hydraulic lifters, manual three-speed transmission with a Hurst shifter, a heavy-duty clutch, heavy-duty suspension, US Royal Red-line tires, and a 3. 23: 1 rear axle ratio.If that wasn’t fast enough for you, there was an option to upgrade to a Tri-Power engine, with three two-barrel carburetors. That little beauty was rated at 348 horsepower.Other options included twin hood scoops, bucket seats, four speed manual or two speed automatic transmission, air conditioning, power windows and seats, tilt steering, and AM/FM stereo. It was also available in three different body styles: Two door coupe, hardtop, and convertible.A fully loaded Pontiac GTO would set you back $4,500. They weighed about 3500lb-by far the lightest muscle car ever to hit the market.Because of its small size and super power, the GTO was extremely popular with the public. Despite a sales forecast of about 10,000, the 1964 model went on to sell 32,450 units.Modern testing has clocked the GTO, equipped with a Tri-Power engine, at 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) in 6.6 seconds, through the standing quarter mile in 14.8 seconds with a trap speed of 99 mph (158 km/h). There have been complaints about slow steering and the drum brakes.Overall, the Pontiac GTO is a fun little car, guaranteed to give you a thrill. Whether you’re looking to stomp the competition on the quarter mile, or just cruise the streets in style, you can’t go wrong with this little speed demon. Category:Home › Other • Pomegranates: A newly discovered superfood • Where did the joke why did the chicken cross the road come from and why is it funny? • Can mothers diagnosed with bipolar disorder make good parents? • Spiritual evolution of human consciousness • Tips for getting a college basketball scholarship • Living with Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) • Caring for the caregiver • Technologys impact on society