Pontiac GTO: The First Muscle Car

May 2020 • By Nestor Cabrera

“I’ve got a division to save and we’re going racing.”

—Bunky Knudson, Pontiac General Manager

The story of the birth of the muscle car is well documented and needless to say in 1962, under pressure from the U.S. Government, GM backed out of racing, except Pontiac that is. Pontiac’s General Manager ‘Bunky’ Knudson was trying to save the brand and was determined to drop the flag apparently saying, “I’ve got a division to save and we’re going racing.”

As found the tin Indian was tired but it would live to fight another day.

The gentleman’s agreement not to race came to an end in ’63 when Chevrolet entered the fray with their mystery motor. Meanwhile, on the reservation, Pontiac’s John DeLorean, Bill Collins and Russ Gee decided to stuff a large 389 ci (6.4L) V8 engine from the full-size Pontiac Bonneville and Catalina into the redesigned Pontiac Tempest. The Tempest came standard with a 326 ci (5.3L) V8. At the time, GM had another policy that did not allow intermediate car engines to exceed 330 ci (5.4L). Bunky’s team, however, found a loophole that allowed a larger engine if it was offered as an option. Consequently, the GTO was introduced as a high-performance trim package limited to 5,000 units.

The 1965 GTO you see here, built by Larry Weiner’s Performance West Group, Grants Pass, OR, is a perfect example of combining classic performance with a touch of modern technology.

Staying true to the GTO ethos, Larry had a High Output 421 ci Pontiac sourced from the GTO’s big brother Catalina. Blue printed by Van Gordon Racing it produces 400 hp @ 5,500 rpm via a Pontiac intake with three Rochester 2-barrel carburetors, a Year One air cleaner and a larger than stock Magnaflow exhaust. All those ponies are managed through a Hays clutch and a Muncie M20 four-speed manual with a Gear Vendors overdrive. A ’66 Chevelle SS396 12-bolt posi helps put power to the ground.

Hotchkiss Performance, known the world over as GM A-body suspension experts, outfitted the GTO’s chassis with the latest in suspension technology including tubular upper control arms, front and rear coil springs, tie rod ends and sway bars. Stopping power was equally important and the braking system was upgraded with disc brakes and a dual master cylinder with power booster assembly from Stainless Steel Brakes Corp.  

The GTO’s interior features an original Poncho wood-rim wheel and Hurst shifter, Katzkin leather upholstery and a host of restoration parts from Year One Inc.

Inside, an original ’65 GTO wood-rim steering wheel was installed along with an original Hurst shifter while Katzkin applied the GTO pattern to the seats using custom leather in Parchment Pearl. An assortment of Year One accessories, GTO vacuum-actuated instruments, factory air and power windows provide vital vehicle information and comfort. 

The stunning Sherwin-Williams ‘Hurst Gold’ paint was applied by Mike Face Custom Paint, San Tan Valley, AZ.

The pièce de résistance, which has made the GTO a timeless classic has always been the exterior styling and Mike Face Custom Paint took the classic GTO body down to bare metal before applying Sherwin-Williams’ Planet Color ‘Hurst Gold’ that is a modern interpretation of the Tiger Gold color offered on late ’65 models. To add some extra bright work to the build a set of ’66 Pontiac Grand Prix driving lights were installed in the grille. No classic look is complete without a set of the correct wheels and tires to complement the paint. It this case the combo comprised Dennis Kirban Rally 1 wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich Radial T/A tires.

Vehicle: 1965 Pontiac GTO
Powertrain                                                               

Engine: 421 Pontiac WJ Code 400 horsepower @ 5500 rpm
Builder:  VanGordonRacing.com
Bore: .040 over
Stroke: Stock
Compression:  10.75:1
Intake: Pontiac Tri-Power
Carbs: Rochester, rebuilt by Van Gordon Racing
Air cleaner lids: Year One Inc.
Ram air tub and foam seal: AmesPerf.com
Fuel pump: Rochester
Valve covers: Vintage Cal Custom
Clutch: Hays
Trans: Muncie M20 four-speed manual
Overdrive: GearVendors.com
Shifter: Hurst 1965 Competition Plus
Rear axle: 1966 Chevelle SS396 12 Bolt Positraction, Mr. Gasket diff cover
Battery: Optima
Exhaust: Magnaflow Performance dual
Exhaust splitters: Year One Inc.
Radiator: Harrison four-row

Body Mods

Paint: Sherwin-Williams, Planet Color, Hurst Gold
Painter:  Mike Face Custom Paint
Exterior accessories: Year One Inc.
Window tinting: Johnson Films Inc.

Interior

Upholstery: Katzkin Leather Inc., Parchment Pearl leather, ’65 Pontiac GTO pattern
Interior restoration parts: Year One Inc.  
Carpet install: Auto Interiors
Seat belts: Ssnake-Oyl.com

Chassis

Suspension: Hotchkis.net tubular upper front control arms, front and rear coil springs, boxed rear lower control arms, adjustable rear upper trailing arms, front and rear sport sway bars: hollow bar 1-3/8-inch dia. front, solid bar 1-inch dia. rear
Discs brakes: Stainless Steel Brakes Corp., single-piston calipers W/10.9-inch rotors front, single-piston calipers with 10.5-inch rotors rear. Dual master cylinder and power booster.
Brake and fuel lines: ClassicTube.com
Spindles: 1974 Pontiac Trans Am
Shocks: Bilstein
Wheels: kirbanperformance.com Rally 1, 15 x 7 front, 15 x 8 rear
Tires: BF Goodrich, P225/60R15 Radial T/A front, 275/60R15 Radial T/A rear