1964 Pontiac GTO

Car historians will probably agree that the American muscle car revolution began in 1964 when Pontiac introduced the GTO option on the Tempest model, but this was far from a new idea.

America's desire for V8 engines was already over 30 years old, from the moment Ford introduced the 1932 Flathead V8 engine, and most cars had a V8 option from all domestic vehicle manufacturers.

Photo: "Flathead Ford" by Hugo-90

However, the GTO was something special as it had a larger V8 engine, hood scoops, dual exhaust, a Hurst gearbox and a name taken from Ferrari. And not just any Ferrari, but perhaps the best Ferrari ever made, the 250 GTO (Grand Turismo Omologato).

Ferrari fans were (and may still be) angry that an average American sedan carries such a familiar name, so the GTO has a tough job proving it deserves to be called a GTO. And in the next 11 years, he not only showed that he deserved it, but also completely wrote history. Here we will describe only the first year of production.

The Beginning of the Legend

The base for the GTO in 10 of its 11 total years of production was the General Motors A-Body platform on which all GM midsize vehicles were built, with the exception of the Cadillac. Only for the last year of production (1974) was it moved to the new X-Body platform.

Photo: "1964 GTO" by Hugo-90

For 1964, the A-Body platform served as the base for the Buick Skylark, Chevrolet Chevelle, Oldsmobile Cutlass and Pontiac Tempest. Sport versions of each model had an optional V8 engine, but only Pontiac had the guts to put in a really big engine.

It was a 389ci (6.4L) engine that also came standard with better suspension, hood vents, larger rims and dual chrome exhaust. The popular Motor Trend magazine praised the standard 325 hp and managed to pull off the acceleration to 60 mph (96 kph) in 7.7 seconds while the quarter mile (402 meters) time was 15.8 seconds at a speed of 93 mph (149 kph). You can see the specification in the tables below.

Optional Equipment

The list of optional equipment was also long. The most popular option was an engine of identical size, but with three carburetors (Tri-Power), thanks to which the power jumped to 348 hp, and in addition to the standard three-speed manual transmission, the customer also got a choice of four-speed manual and two-speed automatic transmission.

Photo: "Tri-Power Carburetors" by priceman141

Although the GTO was an option on the Tempest, the GTO badging could be seen on the grille, doors and rear bumper while the Tempest badging could not be found.

Production Numbers

Pontiac had hoped to sell 5,000 units, but at the end of the year sales were a staggering 32,450 units. For 1965, the GTO technically did not change, but the headlights were moved vertically instead of the previous horizontal ones.

Photo: "1965 Pontiac GTO" by digitizedchaos

The biggest news was the increase in power, so now the basic model developed 335 hp, and the model with three carburetors 360 hp. Sales continued to grow and in the second year over 75,000 units were sold.

1964 Pontiac GTO in Today's Market

The 1964 Pontiac GTO is still highly regarded among collectors and classic car enthusiasts. Its market value depends on the condition of the vehicle, its originality, mileage, and specific features of the model.

According to data from the classic.com website, you can see that the price of this beauty ranges between $22,500 and $175,000. The average price over the past five years is just under $60,000.

The value of a vehicle can vary depending on the specific features of each car, such as its originality, state of restoration, and additional equipment. For example, models with a 389 cubic inch V8 engine and three carburetors (Tri-Power) usually fetch a higher price.

For the latest information on the market condition and prices of the 1964 Pontiac GTO, it is advisable to consult with classic car experts, follow auctions, and visit specialized websites and forums dedicated to this model.