The 1974 GTO. Yes, Really.

"Boxer_4" (Boxer_4) 08/30/2013 at 16:19 • Filed to: None

2

9

In the early 1970's, the compact muscle car class was beginning to take hold. The relative success of entries such as the Ford Maverick Grabber, Plymouth Duster 360, and AMC Hornet X demonstrated that even with the oil embargo and new emissions requirements, buyers were still interested high powered yet affordable vehicles. Not wanting to be left out, Pontiac took their compact at the time, the Ventura, and tried to capture a piece of the market. The result; the 1974 GTO.

For just $461, this package included a three-speed manual transmission with Hurst floor shifter, heavy-duty suspension with front and rear anti-roll bars a functional shaker hood, a special grille, mirrors, and wheels. Of course, the package came with plenty of GTO badges. The only engine available was the Pontiac 350 V8 with a single four-barrel carburetor, rated at 200 hp and 295 lb·ft of torque. Power steering was a $104 option, as were power front disc brakes for $71.

Sales totaled just 7,058 units, not enough to justify continuing the model. The GTO nameplate would go away until 30 years later, when the Holden Monaro based 2004 GTO appeared.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Boxer_4 08/30/2013 at 16:21

4

Is it wrong that I've always really liked the Ventura GTOs? It basically makes it a slightly less pedestrian looking Nova, and all of the same go-fast parts apply.

pdthedeuce > Boxer_4 08/30/2013 at 16:22

1

...and that was the Pontiac 350 , not the chevy small block .

Boxer_4 > pdthedeuce 08/30/2013 at 16:24

0

Good point. It's fixed above.

Sparf > Boxer_4 08/30/2013 at 16:25

2

pdthedeuce > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney 08/30/2013 at 16:28

0

I concur .

desertdog5051 > Boxer_4 08/30/2013 at 17:10

0

That ain't a GTO (said with Aussie accent). Malaise era. In name only.

Sparf > desertdog5051 08/30/2013 at 17:54

0

Completely irrelevant, since the whole point with malaise era muscle is to use it as a cheap clean slate to build something that far outmatches muscle from the good ol' days on.

desertdog5051 > Sparf 08/30/2013 at 18:03

0

Agree that it was a starting point that never took off for a long time. But it was more of a marketing tool to sell impotent cars with great pasts.

Sparf > desertdog5051 08/30/2013 at 18:12

1

Sure, but that's all in the past now and they're worth nothing!