Third & Fourth Generation — The End of the GTO?
Source: Greg Gjerdingen via Flikr
| Trim | Production | Engine | Power | Transmission | Drivetrain |
| 3rd Gen | 1973 | 6.6L Pontiac V8 | 230 HP / 233 PS / 170 kW (Reduced compression) | 3/4-Speed Manual 2/3-Speed Automatic | RWD |
| 3rd Gen | 1973 | 7.5L Pontiac V8 | 250 HP / 253 PS / 186 kW (Reduced compression) | 3/4-Speed Manual 3-Speed Automatic | RWD |
The third generation of the Pontiac GTO faced a significant setback due to changing industry dynamics and shifting consumer preferences. In 1973, as a response to the oil crisis and rising fuel prices, the GTO underwent a transformation. It became a more compact vehicle and was based on the Pontiac Ventura platform (4th Gen).
Source: SenseiAlan via Flikr
| Trim | Production | Engine | Power | Transmission | Drivetrain |
| 4th Gen | 1974 | 5.7L Pontiac V8 | 200 HP / 149 PS / 150 kW | 3/4-Speed Manual 3-Speed Automatic | RWD |
However, the market’s demand for muscle cars continued to wane, and the GTO faced dwindling sales. As a result, the GTO nameplate was discontinued after the 1974 model year, marking a temporary end to an era of American muscle.
4 Responses
Those red air cleaner decals look awful on any Pontiac. They aren’t factory and they really detract from the simplistic underhood appearance of the awesome Pontiac V8. Peel that crap off and throw it in the trash
That was the first time I realized how easy it was for our government to unfold BIG FAT lies! Those gas shortages were as phony as the Easter Bunny. I was in the U.S. Merchant Marines from 1975 until 1993. When we were getting gas at local gas stations depending on the last number on our license plates (odd or even) remember that? Well that shortage was fake. OPEC was new and they were making new prices all day, every day. We sat on ships at anchor for days waiting for the price to settle. Meanwhile the Japanese auto companies were taking advantage of us too. Selling us those little cars that were economical? Yeah economical but not an ounce of performance!! Soon though American auto makers were copying them. Anyone remember the Mustang 2 or the Malibu that looked like a shoe box? Bad times for car enthusiasts. In the past decade I have noticed that we are trying to get back to the days when we were proud to buy American! I hope they stay in that lane until they get it right.
The first big block intermediate car I got to drive was a 1965 GTO TRI POWER 4 speed. What a rush at 16 years old! I ran it up past the 120 on speedometer, it was still pulling hard. I doubt that young kids now can even comprehend the power these cars had back then. These cars were truly one the great american products to come out of the 1960’s, back when we had that can do attitude without any limits!
Had one love it 😀