Pontiac changed the GTO dramatically every two years (with one exception
noted later.) Over time, the car got heavier with more luxury items. The
Ram Air performance package evolved four times, a lot of convertibles
were sold in 66 and 67, the Endura bumper and hidden headlights of the
68 model were truly innovative, the cartoonish Judge vied for attention
against the Roadrunner in 69, the 70 455 HO engine was the largest ever,
and the 71 was the 2nd fastest GTO ever produced.
But by 1972, the game was nearly over. 1973 brought the "Colonade" Lemans look and the final 1974 version was based on the compact Ventura. What brought the GTO to an end? Here's the short list:
- Insurance costs eventually skyrocketed on muscle cars like the GTO.
- Federal safety (MVSS) and emissions (EPA) standards were very burdensome to maintain a pure muscle car.
- Expensive gas starting in '73 after the embargo.
- GM's decision to promote the Grand Am and the Firebird/Trans Am as performance models.
| 73
facts about 1973
The landmark ruling of the year--if not the decade--was the supreme court ruling legalizing abortion during the first trimester. We know it today as Roe v. Wade. |
|
73
GTO Odyssey Music
Takin' it to the Streets....The Doobie Brothers |
The GTO was actually an "Option Package" on other models for five of its 11 years:
Option
years: 64, 65, 72, 73, 74 (Lemans, and the '74 Ventura platform).
Series
years: 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71
Within the series years, the "Judge" options scheme could be had in 69, 70, and part of 71.