[MrPbody]

"GTO" means "Gran Turismo Omolagato", which in English translates to "Grand Touring, Homogenized". The '62 Ferrari was the first to use the marque on a "production" car (less than 500 made). Since they had no copyright on the name, Pontiac used the name for the '64 option on Tempest. It was an option on LeMans in '65, and was it's own "model" from '66 to '71, when it again became an option on LeMans for '72/'73, and Ventura for '74.

The name comes from building a "new" car from "off the shelf" parts (thus the "homogenized"). The '64 fit right in, as it was made up from Tempest and Catlina (engine) parts. The current model also fits the description, as it is made up of the Holden body and GM power train, both in "off the shelf" configuratons, with a bit of badging and "styling" (a debatable subject, to be sure) unique to itself.

The "Tiger" was an ad campaign for '65 and '66 (maybe surfaced late in the '64 model run). Pontiac dropped the connection in '67, when it was felt politically, "Tiger" would "lead to more street racing" Duh...... GTOs would lead to more street racing simply by their existance...

"Gas, tires and oil", "Get tools out", "Garbage truck optional", "Go through Oscar's" (never quite figured that one out...) are all "nicknames" that surfaced over the years, along with "Goat".

Jim