A Model Dose... Sunday 10/12/25

The 1st GTO - The legend began with the GTO as an option package on Pontiac's now-larger intermediate series the Tempest-Le Mans, which is how it ended in 1974, 11 years later, as an option package on the compact size Ventura series.

The GTO nameplate did return from 2004 to 2006, this time however, it was based on the Australian based Holden Monaro. Although a fairly competent car that was fun to drive, it is this collector's opinion, that the car just wasn't "American" enough, it felt "too foreign" to me and was over-priced for what it offered and unfortunately couldn't compete with some other cars in the market, such as the Ford Mustang. The car was not well-received by the buying public and far less were built than anticipated. GM corrected all of these issues with the re-introduction of the Chevrolet Camaro in 2009 for the 2010 model year, the GTO could have been an amazing new model based on the Camaro platform, but by this time, GM had chosen to drop the Pontiac brand entirely.

Franklin Mint issued the 1st Generation GTO in 2001, mid-point of the Precision Model Era, and unfortunately at this time, many of FM's models were far-less than they should have been, which included this model. It's OK but could have been much more. The fit, features and details were not all-there, FM did not give the model the attention it deserved. I'd always hoped DM would introduce an updated version of this model and issue a hardtop, which is the body style I preferred. Although Geno made his own version that I don't recall all the details of, but the model is amazing looking.

FM issued this model in 2-colors, Grenadier Red w/black interior and in 2004, Tuxedo Black w/white interior.

1964 Pontiac Tempest-LeMans GTO Convertible