First True Muscle Car; 1964 Pontiac GTO! So what is the second Muscle Car?
Poncho Pete asked:
Fact; Authentic Original Muscle Car ERA was 1964 - 1972. Fact; 1964 Pontiac GTO is the Authentic Original "First True Muscle Car". 1957 Pontiac Chieftain 347, Tri-Power, 317 H.P. , factory, (John Zinc) was NHRA Top Stock Champion, but this was not considered a Muscle Car. The 1960 Pontiac Ventura 389 Super Duty was the fastest car in 1960, still not the first Muscle Car. In 1961 Hayden Proffitt did a 1/4 mile in 12.55 seconds @110.20 MPH, in a factory 1961 Pontiac Catalina 421 Super Duty, no still not a Muscle Car! Jim Wangers, in a factory 1962 Pontiac Catalina 421 S.D. 1/4 mile in 12.38 seconds @ 116.32 MPH, still not a Muscle Car! Arnie Beswick, 1963 Pontiac Tempest Lemans 421 S.D. blew away the debut of the new 1964 Ford Fairlane 500 "Thunderbolts" 427(s) and new 1964 Dodge 426 HEMIS, still not the first Muscle Car! On Feb. 16, 1963 at Daytona Speed weeks, Challenge Cup 250, Paul Goldsmith defeated all GT entrants by over FIVE MILES, Corvette 427s, Cobras, 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO!
Therefore the Muscle Car ERA was from 1964 - 1972, and the First True Muscle Car was the 1964 Pontiac GTO! So what is the second Muscle Car?
1963 Pontiac Tempest Lemans 421 S.D., Arlen Vanke, did 1/4 mile in 11.89 seconds @ 123.28 MPH, factory! This was the Prototype for the new 1964 Pontiac GTO, developed with Pontiac Engineers! It had factory aluminum front end and cast aluminum manifold headers with factory dump valves! This was an "Anderson" (Knafel) 1963 Pontiac Tempest Lemans 421 Super Duty, named "Running Bear", still not the first Muscle Car!
GREAT Internet Reference (web , internet search), type in; chrysler300country.com, click on full table of contents, scroll down click on muscle cars, scroll under picture click on continue and read. They have other great information on automobiles, feel free to read on.
The 1964 Pontiac GTO was the First True Muscle Car from 1964 on, it was announced on National News Broadcasts Officially in the 1990s. their are some who try to define what made the 1964 Pontiac GTO the First True Muscle Car, then try to find a car, and then try to strip away the 1964 Pontiac GTO's title. That's like saying Elvis wasn't the "King Of Rock and Roll", saying some one did it before him!?!?
So what was the second Muscle Car?
I see some great answers! There is no real arguement, the 1964 Pontiac was the First True Muscle Car! Sure there have been great cars in the past! However the Pontiac GTO was planned for a market of people requesting some one to make a High Performance Street Car! Pontiac, G.M. out of Factory Racing (1963), at a time Pontiac was dominating all Race Tracks, Pontiac built a High Performance Street Car for all, the 1964 Pontiac GTO, and the rest followed, and the rest was history!
Roger Huntington took accelerometer readings (true Power output directly from clutch), of a 1962 421 S.D/ 405 H.P. (11;1 comp. ratio) , his readings true actual Horse Power 465 H.P. & 510 ft/lbs of actual torque. In Car and Life Magazine, May 1965, Roger Huntington describes the 1965 Pontiac GTO 389/ 348 H.P. as a "SUPER CAR" (later the term Muscle Car was used to mean the same thing), first published article descibing any car in the World as a "Super Car", after taking accelerometer readings at the clutch of 345 real H.P. and 420 ft/lbs of real torque!
The 1964 Mustang 260 cid was the first "Pony" car. The 1964 Ford Fairlane 500 "Thunderbolt" 427 was a Factory 1/4 mile car, Pontiac built all sizes of that car before 1964, Ford was still trying to catch up to Pontiac, even though Pontiac was out of racing early 1963.
Trivia, first "PONY" car; 1964 Plymouth Barracuda - April 1, 1964 released to public, 1964 Ford Mustang April 17, 1964 released to public!?!? Sorry Ford Fanatics but it is a Fact!
Hint; Only three factory true Muscle Cars were released in 1965 one being the now highly popular 1965 Pontiac GTO!
Answers from - Bob the Mechanic, Firebird, and Inagadda are on the right track! One could or is Right!
Andy J, knows the First True Muscle Car is the 1964 Pontiac GTO!
The fourth True Muscle Car; was the 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 (Malibu)," Z-16" with 375 Factory Horse Power! Note: 1964 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 327/300 H.P. not a True Muscle Car, even the 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle 327/350 H.P. was not a True Muscle Car!
1962 Buick Wildcat 401 cid/325 H.P. with 445 ft/lbs of torque (family sized Sports Car) with the availability of Drag Racing Package (4.45:1 Rear End Gears) was not a True Muscle Car!
It is said that the First True Muscle Cars from Oldsmobile (442) had 425 cid engines till they made their new 400cid engine in 1965!
When Oldsmobile heard Pontiac was building a Intermediate Car with a Big Car Engine, Oldsmobile wanted one too!
1966 Dodge got in with their First True Muscle Cars; 1966 Dodge Charger (R/T - Road and Track) 426 Hemi, 1966 Dodge Coronet (R/T) 426 Hemi. Plymouth also got in to the Muscle Car Craze; 1966 Plymouth Satelitte 426 Hemi. These were Serious True Muscle Cars! Later on colours like Plum Crazy, Sub Lime, Go-Mango, and Top Banana were offered on Mopar Muscle Cars!
In 1967 finally Ford and Plymouth caved in and made their first Pony Car Muscle Cars. 1967 Ford Mustang 390 and 428. 1967 Plymouth Baracuda 383. Also the Debut of the new Pony Car, the Popular 1967 Chevrolet Camaro 396. Also the new 1967 Pontiac Firebird 400.
Even AMC got in, 1968 AMC AMX 390, 1968 AMC Javelin 390, 1969 SC/Rambler 390, and the 1970 AMC Rebel Machine 390.
Oldsmobile wanted a muscle car, they loved the idea, I'm sure if they could, would have probably built one before Pontiac, they quickly made a 330 cid version in 1964 however to follow the rules, it is said that they quickly dropped in a 425 cid engine till their 400 cid engine was ready in 1965.
The 1962 Chevrolet Impala SS 409, the 1960 Super Duty Pontiacs, 1962 Dodge 413, Chevy 327s, Dodge 340s, 360s are Muscle Cars in their own definition, they are all great cars. Pontiac though made the rules and those that followed respected them!
Here's to the Hot Rodders and Car Customizers, Antique and Classic Car Fanatics ( and all other vehicle Fanatics) keep up the Great Work! History is History, Facts are Facts, Keep it True!
1965 G.M. gave go ahead to all G.M. Divisions to allow Big Car engines in Intermediate Cars. Oldsmobile quickly debored it's 425 cid engine to 400 cid, and renamed the 442 from 4 speed manual tranny, four barrel carb, dual exhaust to 400 cid , four barrel, dual exhaust!
Later on in 1965 season Buick "Shoehorned" a 401 engine into a new 1965 Buick Gran Sport! The 1965 Buick Gran Sport 401 (or 400 cid) motor came with one four barrel or a optional 2X4 barrel option!
1966 Ford Fairlane 390, 427 cool car, made to catch the Tiger (Pontiac GTO), however it never did! close though!
July 1970 Popular Science Magazine decribes 1970 Muscle Cars as Super Cars, by Jan P. Norbye, Jim Dunne and Dave Houser, entitled "The SUPER CARS for the '70's are here".
April 1973, CARS Magazine, article for "Car of the Year" , 1973 Pontiac GTO 455 Super Duty, also states Pontiac invented, released the First "Super Car" the 1964 Pontiac GTO in 1963.
In the 1970's, '80's Ferrari' s, Porsche's, Lamborghini's, Panther 6, etc., were referred to as "Exotic Cars". In the 1970's, 1980's Muscle Cars, Super Cars were referred to 1964 Pontiac GTO's and the production of similiar cars, up to 1972.
Thanks to Jim Wangers, Pete Estes, and John DeLorean the World's First "Super Car", Muscle Car, was born September 1963, the first 1964 Pontiac GTO. The first of many Super Cars, Muscle Cars to follow!
1967 Mercury Cougar 390 was in the "Super Car", Muscle Car scene!
Sermon "Bunkie" Knudsen, got rid of Pontiac's old ways, got Pontiac officially started in Racing! In 1956 The "King Of Speed" Ab Jenkins and son Marvin set 28 new Records @ Bonneville in a factory 1956 Pontiac 860 Series, 316/285 H.P., one of them driving at 126 MPH for 100 miles in distance!
Sermon "Bunkie" Knudsen and Ray Nichels made sure Pontiac led the way in Factory Racing! From 1960 - 1964 Pontiac RULED Racing! In 1964 Pontiac made the First True Muscle Car, the Pontiac GTO with standard 389 or optional 421!
Remember the Famous Factory 1963 Pontiac Catalina "Swiss Cheese" 421 "Super Duty" 2X4 barrel carburated cars that did low 12 second 1/4 mile times factory!
Here is a general checklist- a True "Super Car", Muscle Car from 1964 - 1972; intermediate (Pony Cars are acceptable ) car modified for big car engine, at least a four barrel carburator, 3X2 barrel carburator, bucket seats floor shift (A.T or M.T), dual exhaust, high Performance package. Here is a general list of the big car engines that qualify; AMC 390, Buick 401 (400), 455, Chevrolet 396, (402 etc.),427, 454, Dodge 383, 426 HEMI, 440, Ford 390, 427, 428 (CJ,SCJ) 429..., Mercury 390, 427, 428 (SC)..., Plymouth 383, 426 HEMI, 440, Oldsmobile 400, 425, 455, Pontiac 389, 400,421, 428, 455.
Add to "Super Car" Muscle Car Checklist - cars sold to public as every day, daily drivers, generally 10:1 to 11:1 compression ratio.
1970 Cadillac 500/400 H.P. was not a true Muscle Car! However in its' own way it is!
1967 Pontiac Beaumont SD (Sports Deluxe) 396, was Canadas' entry into the "Super Car", Muscle Car scene!
That is right Juliet "S.D", the Oldsmobile 442, 425 cid, 400 cid was the second Muscle Car, Super Car! Thanks, Great Work! Looks like you know your Super Cars, Muscle Cars!
muscle car
Fact; Authentic Original Muscle Car ERA was 1964 - 1972. Fact; 1964 Pontiac GTO is the Authentic Original "First True Muscle Car". 1957 Pontiac Chieftain 347, Tri-Power, 317 H.P. , factory, (John Zinc) was NHRA Top Stock Champion, but this was not considered a Muscle Car. The 1960 Pontiac Ventura 389 Super Duty was the fastest car in 1960, still not the first Muscle Car. In 1961 Hayden Proffitt did a 1/4 mile in 12.55 seconds @110.20 MPH, in a factory 1961 Pontiac Catalina 421 Super Duty, no still not a Muscle Car! Jim Wangers, in a factory 1962 Pontiac Catalina 421 S.D. 1/4 mile in 12.38 seconds @ 116.32 MPH, still not a Muscle Car! Arnie Beswick, 1963 Pontiac Tempest Lemans 421 S.D. blew away the debut of the new 1964 Ford Fairlane 500 "Thunderbolts" 427(s) and new 1964 Dodge 426 HEMIS, still not the first Muscle Car! On Feb. 16, 1963 at Daytona Speed weeks, Challenge Cup 250, Paul Goldsmith defeated all GT entrants by over FIVE MILES, Corvette 427s, Cobras, 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO!
Therefore the Muscle Car ERA was from 1964 - 1972, and the First True Muscle Car was the 1964 Pontiac GTO! So what is the second Muscle Car?
1963 Pontiac Tempest Lemans 421 S.D., Arlen Vanke, did 1/4 mile in 11.89 seconds @ 123.28 MPH, factory! This was the Prototype for the new 1964 Pontiac GTO, developed with Pontiac Engineers! It had factory aluminum front end and cast aluminum manifold headers with factory dump valves! This was an "Anderson" (Knafel) 1963 Pontiac Tempest Lemans 421 Super Duty, named "Running Bear", still not the first Muscle Car!
GREAT Internet Reference (web , internet search), type in; chrysler300country.com, click on full table of contents, scroll down click on muscle cars, scroll under picture click on continue and read. They have other great information on automobiles, feel free to read on.
The 1964 Pontiac GTO was the First True Muscle Car from 1964 on, it was announced on National News Broadcasts Officially in the 1990s. their are some who try to define what made the 1964 Pontiac GTO the First True Muscle Car, then try to find a car, and then try to strip away the 1964 Pontiac GTO's title. That's like saying Elvis wasn't the "King Of Rock and Roll", saying some one did it before him!?!?
So what was the second Muscle Car?
I see some great answers! There is no real arguement, the 1964 Pontiac was the First True Muscle Car! Sure there have been great cars in the past! However the Pontiac GTO was planned for a market of people requesting some one to make a High Performance Street Car! Pontiac, G.M. out of Factory Racing (1963), at a time Pontiac was dominating all Race Tracks, Pontiac built a High Performance Street Car for all, the 1964 Pontiac GTO, and the rest followed, and the rest was history!
Roger Huntington took accelerometer readings (true Power output directly from clutch), of a 1962 421 S.D/ 405 H.P. (11;1 comp. ratio) , his readings true actual Horse Power 465 H.P. & 510 ft/lbs of actual torque. In Car and Life Magazine, May 1965, Roger Huntington describes the 1965 Pontiac GTO 389/ 348 H.P. as a "SUPER CAR" (later the term Muscle Car was used to mean the same thing), first published article descibing any car in the World as a "Super Car", after taking accelerometer readings at the clutch of 345 real H.P. and 420 ft/lbs of real torque!
The 1964 Mustang 260 cid was the first "Pony" car. The 1964 Ford Fairlane 500 "Thunderbolt" 427 was a Factory 1/4 mile car, Pontiac built all sizes of that car before 1964, Ford was still trying to catch up to Pontiac, even though Pontiac was out of racing early 1963.
Trivia, first "PONY" car; 1964 Plymouth Barracuda - April 1, 1964 released to public, 1964 Ford Mustang April 17, 1964 released to public!?!? Sorry Ford Fanatics but it is a Fact!
Hint; Only three factory true Muscle Cars were released in 1965 one being the now highly popular 1965 Pontiac GTO!
Answers from - Bob the Mechanic, Firebird, and Inagadda are on the right track! One could or is Right!
Andy J, knows the First True Muscle Car is the 1964 Pontiac GTO!
The fourth True Muscle Car; was the 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 (Malibu)," Z-16" with 375 Factory Horse Power! Note: 1964 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 327/300 H.P. not a True Muscle Car, even the 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle 327/350 H.P. was not a True Muscle Car!
1962 Buick Wildcat 401 cid/325 H.P. with 445 ft/lbs of torque (family sized Sports Car) with the availability of Drag Racing Package (4.45:1 Rear End Gears) was not a True Muscle Car!
It is said that the First True Muscle Cars from Oldsmobile (442) had 425 cid engines till they made their new 400cid engine in 1965!
When Oldsmobile heard Pontiac was building a Intermediate Car with a Big Car Engine, Oldsmobile wanted one too!
1966 Dodge got in with their First True Muscle Cars; 1966 Dodge Charger (R/T - Road and Track) 426 Hemi, 1966 Dodge Coronet (R/T) 426 Hemi. Plymouth also got in to the Muscle Car Craze; 1966 Plymouth Satelitte 426 Hemi. These were Serious True Muscle Cars! Later on colours like Plum Crazy, Sub Lime, Go-Mango, and Top Banana were offered on Mopar Muscle Cars!
In 1967 finally Ford and Plymouth caved in and made their first Pony Car Muscle Cars. 1967 Ford Mustang 390 and 428. 1967 Plymouth Baracuda 383. Also the Debut of the new Pony Car, the Popular 1967 Chevrolet Camaro 396. Also the new 1967 Pontiac Firebird 400.
Even AMC got in, 1968 AMC AMX 390, 1968 AMC Javelin 390, 1969 SC/Rambler 390, and the 1970 AMC Rebel Machine 390.
Oldsmobile wanted a muscle car, they loved the idea, I'm sure if they could, would have probably built one before Pontiac, they quickly made a 330 cid version in 1964 however to follow the rules, it is said that they quickly dropped in a 425 cid engine till their 400 cid engine was ready in 1965.
The 1962 Chevrolet Impala SS 409, the 1960 Super Duty Pontiacs, 1962 Dodge 413, Chevy 327s, Dodge 340s, 360s are Muscle Cars in their own definition, they are all great cars. Pontiac though made the rules and those that followed respected them!
Here's to the Hot Rodders and Car Customizers, Antique and Classic Car Fanatics ( and all other vehicle Fanatics) keep up the Great Work! History is History, Facts are Facts, Keep it True!
1965 G.M. gave go ahead to all G.M. Divisions to allow Big Car engines in Intermediate Cars. Oldsmobile quickly debored it's 425 cid engine to 400 cid, and renamed the 442 from 4 speed manual tranny, four barrel carb, dual exhaust to 400 cid , four barrel, dual exhaust!
Later on in 1965 season Buick "Shoehorned" a 401 engine into a new 1965 Buick Gran Sport! The 1965 Buick Gran Sport 401 (or 400 cid) motor came with one four barrel or a optional 2X4 barrel option!
1966 Ford Fairlane 390, 427 cool car, made to catch the Tiger (Pontiac GTO), however it never did! close though!
July 1970 Popular Science Magazine decribes 1970 Muscle Cars as Super Cars, by Jan P. Norbye, Jim Dunne and Dave Houser, entitled "The SUPER CARS for the '70's are here".
April 1973, CARS Magazine, article for "Car of the Year" , 1973 Pontiac GTO 455 Super Duty, also states Pontiac invented, released the First "Super Car" the 1964 Pontiac GTO in 1963.
In the 1970's, '80's Ferrari' s, Porsche's, Lamborghini's, Panther 6, etc., were referred to as "Exotic Cars". In the 1970's, 1980's Muscle Cars, Super Cars were referred to 1964 Pontiac GTO's and the production of similiar cars, up to 1972.
Thanks to Jim Wangers, Pete Estes, and John DeLorean the World's First "Super Car", Muscle Car, was born September 1963, the first 1964 Pontiac GTO. The first of many Super Cars, Muscle Cars to follow!
1967 Mercury Cougar 390 was in the "Super Car", Muscle Car scene!
Sermon "Bunkie" Knudsen, got rid of Pontiac's old ways, got Pontiac officially started in Racing! In 1956 The "King Of Speed" Ab Jenkins and son Marvin set 28 new Records @ Bonneville in a factory 1956 Pontiac 860 Series, 316/285 H.P., one of them driving at 126 MPH for 100 miles in distance!
Sermon "Bunkie" Knudsen and Ray Nichels made sure Pontiac led the way in Factory Racing! From 1960 - 1964 Pontiac RULED Racing! In 1964 Pontiac made the First True Muscle Car, the Pontiac GTO with standard 389 or optional 421!
Remember the Famous Factory 1963 Pontiac Catalina "Swiss Cheese" 421 "Super Duty" 2X4 barrel carburated cars that did low 12 second 1/4 mile times factory!
Here is a general checklist- a True "Super Car", Muscle Car from 1964 - 1972; intermediate (Pony Cars are acceptable ) car modified for big car engine, at least a four barrel carburator, 3X2 barrel carburator, bucket seats floor shift (A.T or M.T), dual exhaust, high Performance package. Here is a general list of the big car engines that qualify; AMC 390, Buick 401 (400), 455, Chevrolet 396, (402 etc.),427, 454, Dodge 383, 426 HEMI, 440, Ford 390, 427, 428 (CJ,SCJ) 429..., Mercury 390, 427, 428 (SC)..., Plymouth 383, 426 HEMI, 440, Oldsmobile 400, 425, 455, Pontiac 389, 400,421, 428, 455.
Add to "Super Car" Muscle Car Checklist - cars sold to public as every day, daily drivers, generally 10:1 to 11:1 compression ratio.
1970 Cadillac 500/400 H.P. was not a true Muscle Car! However in its' own way it is!
1967 Pontiac Beaumont SD (Sports Deluxe) 396, was Canadas' entry into the "Super Car", Muscle Car scene!
That is right Juliet "S.D", the Oldsmobile 442, 425 cid, 400 cid was the second Muscle Car, Super Car! Thanks, Great Work! Looks like you know your Super Cars, Muscle Cars!
muscle car
Truck Fan
1964 Buick gran sport with the 401 and 4spd
muscle car
?? for Pontiac yes, but for the industry no. The 409 Chevy, 392 Hemi, Supercharged T-bird, Studebaker Golden Hawk just to name a few all predated the GTO.
The Hybrid Truck Guy
True mad_mav, but those were all full size cars. GTO was the first muscle car because it was the first large engine in a intermediate body.
Vehicle History
The original GTO was quickly followed by its GM stablemates, but some auto historians argue that the title of first muscle car belongs to the 327-cube Rambler Rebel of 1957.
The Hybrid Truck Guy
I think it’s best considered a multi-way tie among the other divisions of GM. The Buick GS is a good answer, but the 442 was very quick to market also. 442′s only had 330 cubic inches in 1964, but you’d have to try pretty hard to argue a 442′s not a muscle car.
nissan fan
I believe the first musclecar was the GTO.
Mopar guys will complain that the ’62 Max Wedge cars were the same size and were faster, but they were not packaged with the identity the way the GTO was. They’ll also claim the C-300 was the first musclecar, but 17 seconds doesn’t a musclecar make.
Mercury was the first car to break the 400hp barrier, but it wasn’t a musclecar. And Ford had their 352/360 for NASCAR, but it still wasn’t packaged with its own identity . . . plus it was only available with a 3-speed on the column.
However, even though I feel the GTO was the first musclecar, there were musclecars before the GTO!
So, then, what was the second? The GS didn’t come out till 1965. The 1964 Chevelle only had 300hp tops, aside of the 365hp 327 that was to come out but didn’t. The SS package didn’t really come into its own till ’66 as it was previously a bucket-and-console package.
At the Mopar camp, they didn’t really have a true packaged musclecar till the ’67 GTX and Coronet R/T. A case could be made for the ’66 Charger with a Hemi, but that’s still a year after the GS, among others.
Ford didn’t have theirs till the ’66 Fairlane GT and Cyclone GT.
So where does that leave us? The 1964 Olds 4-4-2. While not the scorcher that the GTO was, it was packaged with an identity that preceded any other me-too answer.
ADDENDUM: 1964 Hemis and Thunderbolts were race cars, not musclecars. A case could be made for the 289/271 in the Fairlane, but it probably even came with a single exhaust, among other things – a great car, but not something that should be in contention as a musclecar. And this includes the Mustang with the same engine, which never had the packaged identity the GTO had.
Classic Car Guy
This question is so easy its already been answered…
FORD saw the changes coming and made the call in the Year change of the 64 Mustang… Pulling the 260 V8 and replacing it with the 289 and was so great on ther part is known as the 64 1/2 Mustang the 1st known 1/2 year model …. Next half year model won’t not come til 1970 1/2 Trans Am and Z/28
Anyway The ripples can be seen across the Car market Muscle was in go mode…. People will say Mustang wasn’t a Muscle car til the GT350 … they are wrong….
Next ….. I can give you 3rd and 4th and 5th But they are not liked by most people BUT ALL GREAT CARS….
OK OK OK NEXT on the list READ this #3
No one can can say NO to that…. Dates little off. HEMI in a 2930 lb car.
Next #4
1964 Ford Thunderbolt 427
Then #5 July 1964 …. Shown Sold August 64
Comments: The success of the 1964 Pontiac GTO encouraged Buick to produce a muscle car of their own. General Motors placed a corporate maximum of 400 cubic inches in their intermediates, but Buick just shoehorned their existing 401 cubic inch fullsize car engine into their Skylark to create the Buick Skylark Gran Sport. Called the Wildcat 445 (due to its torque rating), this Buick engine dated back to the 1950s and was known as the “nail head engine” due to the size of its valves. All Skylark Gran Sports, hardtop, pillared coupe, and convertible, received the convertible’s beefed up frame and a special suspension. The model was an instant success and almost 16,000 were sold in 1965. Not bad for a first try.
Engines:
401 V8 325 bhp @ 4,400rpm, 445 lb-ft @ 2,800 rpm.
Performance:
401/325bhp: 0-60 in 7.8 sec, 1/4 mile in 16.6 sec @ 86 mph.
I will also note that with so many models adding horsepower to the line up Changes in how the horsepower was made was the Next list….
SO the 1965 Z/16 Chevelle would be the biggest change up after the 1st 5…. and was an awsome car.
Skipping to the 1968 GTO starting a Whole New concept of HorsePower to take on Fords 427 SOHC and The Ram Air (with tunnel port heads) Pontiac stayed with the Ram Air and sold them to public… Ram Air II 69 Ram Air III , IV, and Over the counter V (also so for racing with the RA V 303 to 400
Mickey Thompson worked the 428 with Hemi heads some finding there way on to 400′s…But never sold by Pontiac.
Happy Trails
Buy Me
First True Muscle Cars (1st) 1964 Pontiac GTO 389 cid or 421 cid, permission from G.M. to allow big car engine over 330 cid limit in an intermediate car. Trial period for the 1964 Pontiac GTO, hopefully they could sell around 5000 units to be successful. Pontiac was outstandingly successful, therefore G.M. allowed other divisions of G.M. to allow 400 cid engines in their intermediate sized cars. (2nd) 1965 Pontiac GTO 389 cid, or optional 421 cid. First published record of term “Super Car” (Muscle Car) for any car in the World, by Roger Huntington. (3rd) Oldsmobile 442, 425 cid, or 400 cid (442= 400 cid, 4 Barrel Carburation, Dual Exhaust) (4th) 1965 Buick GS 401 (400). Car Magazines from the 1990s and before are famous for writng how Buick “SHOEHORNED a 401″ in their NEW intermediate car! (5) 1965 Chevrolet Malibu SS 396. Pontiac, Oldsmobile and Buick caught Chevrolet “Napping”, and brought out their First True Muscle Cars ( Super Cars ), before Chevrolet!