favorite year for the GTO?

[scott303]

hey guys, just wanted to here your opinions on your favorite year for the GTO...

[MrPbody]

Well, speaking as a charter member of the GTO crowd, it is commonly accepted that '65 is the most "stylish", '70 is the most "brutal". The lines on the '69 are "cleaner" ('68 is too, but the wind wings mess up the line). The front end treatment of the '71/'72 is "overdone", though quite popular in certain circles. '66 and '67 are the most "classic" style. '64 is the "plainest", and '73 is the most obnoxious and overweight. '74? Nobody cares... many think it's a Nova until they look close... I do know of a couple with 455s in them, and are the small block Novas sure surprised when one of those lets loose!

That being said, '70 is MY favorite, followed closely by '05/'06. The '70 WREAKS of muscle. The '05/'06 can blow the doors off the '70 Ram Air car... (previous "king of the GTO hill") THAT'S what GTO is all about... When we were looking to buy one, it was the view from the driver's seat that meant the most. GTO was never intended to be a "Hey! Look at me!" car. It was intended to beat up on the competition. And it didn't get its' reputation from losing...

Just my $1.29....

Jim

[MagicRat]

I like the '69's most, and not just because I own one.

Although I like them all, the 64-67's look a bit too much like a sedan; the fastback body style 68-72 looks best, esp with the concealed headlights.

As for performance, I like them all.

As for the new GTO; GM complains about their low sales, yet it is about the only American car NOT sold here in Canada. Go figure.

I love that car, but given todays market, it would likely have sold better as a 4-door.

Would you buy a 4 door GTO? I would.

(BTW, yeah, I know Mercury isn't sold here anymore, but they are just rebadged Fords that ARE sold here)

[tuske427]

That's funny, Jim. I like the '68's best because of the quarter windows. While I don't disagree with your comment about them messing up the lines, I like them because quarter windows to me are a sign of a classic Muscle Car. They just don't use them anymore like they used to. It's like having tailfins on a 50's car- a sign of the times, if you will.

I think the 68/ 69 grille is more aggressive than the 70 front end with the hidden headlights. I also think the subtle body line changes combined with the front end on the 70 make it look heavier.

I think the 69 rear bumper is the best looking, then 68, and then 70+..

The front end on 71/ 72 looks heavier still, with the separated elements in the front fascia.

The 73 and 74 are the red headed step children of the bunch, unfortunately. (doesn't mean I would turn my back on a good deal for one, though)

My next favorite would be the 64, it's clean, simple, and it's what started it all. The 65 just doesn't do much for me, and the 66 and 67 are big cars.

the new ones drive great, but lack any visual excitement looking at it. As I've mentioned in previous posts, these cars lack brand character.

My all time favorite GTO would be a 1968 verdoro green/ black interior and black vinyl roof with a 4 speed.

I'd either have the 400 modified like in that Pontiac book (make a 460+ something out of it) or an LS7/ 6 speed. No mocking that now, it's still a GM engine and whether anyone thinks it's sacriligous to use anything aside from a Poncho- there's many advantages to an aluminum engine with 500+ hp, fuel injection and daily driver reliability. That's having your cake and eating it, too.

I prefer have a non numbers matching non original car that I can drive every day than a pristine concours show car. what fun is having it if you can't drive it? Then it's just a big object requiring high maintenence to keep it that way. There's books, internet and museums for looking at pristine cars. Hand me the keys- I'd rather be driving.

[hotrod_chevyz]

I like every one of them except the 71-74. After they made the engines whimpy (post70), they killed the looks. I like the 04-06' GTO's the most.

With much respect to the older GTO's and those who love them, the 04-06 line definatly has more potential both from factory, and for the aftermarket crowd. The new GTO's are my absolute favorite cars second to only 2003 or later C-6's.

Everybody is always hatin' on the new GTO's, sayin we stole zeta and its an import, but wouldnt a lot of people be suprised if they took a close look at some early model HOLDENS! They been makin GPC looking wanna-be American cars for years so get over it.

And just as everybody is whining about that, GM is talking like they are wanting to make zeta here on U.S. soil now so, whats going to be everyones next complaint, not enough airbags?! See thats the entire problem we have with modern cars made in the USA, because federal safety regulations, its hard to put a hard core street machine into production without pissing and moaning coming from the "safety is priority 1" crowd.

And this same crowd BTW is happy with the fact they allow Ford Excursions to cruise down the highway with a 16 year old driver who cant keep it in a lane, all the same time right next to a Ford Escort holding a family of five!

If the GTO was made here it might not be such a good thing..Maybe they would hide an airbag inside the headliner, so when you get in an accident, it deploys and breaks your neck right at the base of your skull...

[G-man422]

They're all unique, but i like the 1965-67 where the headlights were mounted above each other. ( i think those are the correct years) but the judge is pretty beastly as well.

[69charger426]

1967 best year ever

[sub006]

The '65 was the best looking, and along with the '64, probably the lightest in street trim.

I'll never forget the two-page color GTO ad, a side/3/4 rear view of a '65 hardtop at speed. It was light metallic blue with a black vinyl top and white interior. Perfection!

[6t5frlane]

Has to be the 74 with the Camper Option...................just kidding...67

[99REGALGS]

For me the '66 tri-power and the '69 ram air III.

[VoXx]

Simple: The 1970 with VOE

[Wicked-Z]

'66 - '67 Hands down. I dont have any idea how yall could think tha new 'GTO' looks better than tha classics. I recon thats just yalls taste and aint none of my buissness. They fast and look decent but to me dont have tha right looks to be called a GTO.

[livewire516]

Originally Posted by 69charger426

1967 best year ever

Totally agree, in a pure aesthetic sense, a burgundy poly 1967 GTO w/ ralley wheels and redline tires IS BA as hell. The devil would drive a '67 goat because it's so BA.

[hunters21w]

1967 for sure, love the grill. favorite style car ever!

[66goat_boy]

I'm partial to the '66-'67 myself