Fifty Years Of The GTO Celebrated At Seaport Village In San Diego

Time sure flies by when you’re having fun, and for most of us in the automotive industry, we can remember certain cars that were cool when they first came out – and got to experience the fascination with that car. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Pontiac GTO, and the San Diego chapter of the Pontiac-Oakland Club International (SDPOCI) celebrated it in Seaport Village by hosting a car show for anyone who wanted to show up. They also offered up a special “birthday” cake that everyone shared.

No Pontiac show would be complete, however, without the Godfather of the GTO – Jim Wangers. We were treated to memorabilia, pictures, cards, books, and autographs from Wangers, who arrived in his orange 1969 GTO Judge.

We also got to see the original 1964 Pontiac Royal Bobcat GTO that started all the controversy back in 1964 as the Car and Driver cover car that took on the Ferrari GTO in the famed “GTO vs. GTO” article.

Back in 1964, the 389 wasn’t available for the Tempest or LeMans, but a loophole was found by none other than General Manager John DeLorean, and the GTO option was created. Jim Wangers – Pontiac ad man and NHRA National Champion – helped make the GTO the original musclecar from Pontiac. The ’64 GTO was ordered by Wangers without insulation, and it was sent to Pontiac engineers to replace the 389 with a 421 HO, and then the car went on to Royal Pontiac for some secret  tuning to be done to the visually identical engine.

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Wangers convinced C and D editor David E. Davis to conduct a comparison of the the Pontiac GTO and the Ferrari GTO, unbeknownst to Davis that the Pontiac had a little work done. This famous red 1964 GTO Sport Coupe upset the automotive world, and the claim was that the Pontiac could beat the Ferrari in the quarter mile, while it admitted that the Ferrari could beat the Pontiac on a road course.

The attempt was made to pair up the two GTOs, but since there were so few of the Ferraris and the weather wasn’t pristine, apparently, the match up never happened. Nonetheless, it was a match up that ruffled feathers, and also brought smiles to many faces.

The cover of the March 1964 magazine included a watercolor by artist Tom Quinn, with the Ferrari leading the Pontiac close behind on a road course. It was controversial, and became one of the more popular magazines, celebrated again 20 years later in 1984.

Wangers did admit, finally, that the 389 had been replaced by a tuned 421, coming clean after all this time. Perhaps some felt vindicated from the fraud that was perpetrated through the promotion of the Pontiac GTO, but all of that pales in comparison to the fame and the following that the GTO has endured for the past 50 years.

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The Show Must Go On – Or Not

Pontiac has always been one of those divisions in GM that seemed to thrive all on its own, so it’s sad to know that the GTO – and all other Pontiacs – are now orphaned by the decision to cut Pontiac from the General. That red arrowhead will live on forever for some of us, and there are probably quite a few holdouts who hope that the powers that be will bring the line back, if only for the Trans Am and a much wanted and needed GTO.

The attempt to bring back the GTO with a warmed over Holden Monaro didn’t quite hit the mark with those who were fond of the GTO. It lasted only three years, trying to fill the gap that was left with the F-body cars, but the 2004-06 GTO came and went without a whole lot of fanfare.

At the end of October, 2010, Pontiac closed the doors on the last franchise dealership, and Pontiac was no more, and the GTO became that orphan that everyone wants to have. It’s been said that the 1964 GTO is the most sought after musclecar, and depending on who you talk to – especially this past weekend – that notion rang true for many.

Pontiac pride was loud and clear, and we were treated to a bright and sunny day with dozens of Pontiacs filling the Embarcadero Marina Park North. And it was there that we attended the show, welcomed with our own 1965 Plymouth – yet another orphan in the automotive world, along with plenty of other classic musclecars and classics.

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Our Top Five Favorites

It only stands to reason that during this show – a celebration of the Pontiac GTO – we would pick five of our favorite GTOs. It only made sense to us, and there were lots to choose from, all of which were outstanding examples of how awesome the Goat truly is. With that, we bring you our top five favorite GTOs from the Fall POW WOW held by the SDPOCI.

Pick Number 1 – Jim Wangers’ 1969 Judge

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Pick Number 2 – Ralph Hollis’ 1970 GTO

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Pick Number 3 – Chris Halstead’s 1970 Judge

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Pick Number 4 – Les & Sharren Iden’s 1966 GTO

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Pick Number 5 – Chuck Hay’s 1969 GTO

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We helped celebrate the GTO, and of course there is lots of information out there about Jim Wangers and the GeeTO Tiger. If you’re in the Los Angeles area and have been thinking about giving the Petersen Automotive Museum a visit, check it out on Sunday, October 27th from 8am to Noon, and join Wangers and others for the Breakfast Club Cruise In. If you still haven’t gotten your fix on some cool Pontiacs and other classic musclecars and street rods, then have a gander at our huge car show gallery below.