GTO’s “Godfather” Jim Wangers Turns 85

One of a few men in at the beginning of Pontiac’s “Super Tempest,” marketeer Jim Wangers is credited with creating the image and mystique associated with what is often called America’s first muscle car.

Wangers, who now lives in Falbrook, CA, was joined on June 26th by more than 400 Pontiac enthusiasts from across the country, to celebrate Wangers’ 85th birthday and all things Pontiac. His 30-acre estate served as the perfect venue for the get together, which included a barbecue lunch buffet, live ’60s music and enough birthday cake for everyone.

Though he may be retired, Wangers is far from retiring when it comes to Pontiac enthusiasts. Presenting awards for Best Pontiac, Best GTO and Best of Show, mingling with visitors and enthusiastically leading the band in a performance of the song “GTO,” Wangers had a great time and graciously thanked the guests for attending.

The GTO concept started when a Pontiac chassis engineer, Bill Collins, discovered that the 389cui Pontiac V8 engine from the full-sized Pontiac Catalina and Bonneville would virtually drop into the redesigned, mid-sized 1963 Tempest. The division had switched its focus from racing to street performance due to a GM ban on all forms of factory supported racing.

Intended to appeal to the speed-minded youth market, there was internal debate about the potential success of the car. Sales management at Pontiac insisted on an initial production tun of less than 5,000 cars. While the Big Three were all building hot full sized cars, the intermediate GTO was a rocket with its 389 engine and built a name and a phenomenon that endures even today, largely from the public influence of Jim Wangers.