1964 Pontiac GTO Parts & Accessories

1964 Pontiac GTO

The GTO was born from modest roots. The first-generation Pontiac Tempest ran from 1961-1963 and was badged based on option packages as “LeMans” for the sportier Tempest. In 1964 the Tempest was redesigned to share the intermediate A-body platform with other GM divisions, thus shedding its compact roots as well as the quirkier engine and driveline approaches. John DeLorean was head of the Pontiac division, and he wanted to add performance to help burnish Pontiac’s image. Dropping a 325hp 389ci engine into a Tempest as a low volume high performance option was the answer. He named it GTO, which some say stands for “Gran Turismo Omologato”—the racing homologation group in Europe, while others say it stands for “Grand Tempest Option.” Either way, with three-two bbl carbs and weighing almost one-pound per horsepower, it had both the looks and beef. Though projections were for 5,000 units, by the end of 1964 the GTO option was ordered by 32,450 customers. There was even a Top 40 song called “Little GTO” by Ronnie and the Daytonas. With revised styling that included stacked headlights and increased output to 360hp, Pontiac more than doubled GTO sales in 1965, selling over 75,000. 1966 saw a major restyle and the GTO became its own model, not a Tempest option. By 1967 the 389ci engine had increased bore bringing it up to 400ci, while Hurst shifters, four-speed transmissions, exposed tachometers mounted on the hood, and disc brakes made the GTO a legend. With the new A-body platform launched in 1968, the GTO got the curvy body and its own body-color “Endura” urethane grille, making the 1968 and 1969 front ends very distinctive. GTOs were called “tigers”, and some affectionately called them “goats”, but Pontiac called its special GTO “The Judge”. Ordering this package got you a “Ram Air III” engine, mag-like wheels, Hurst shifter, wider tires, and a rear spoiler. Oh, and screaming decals that announced your arrival. 6,833 were built in 1969. More organic styling arrived in 1970, while the GTO got another unique urethane body-color bumper. The 455ci big block Pontiac could now be ordered with the highest output rated at 370hp. The GTO saw another revised front end in 1971, and 1971 would be the last year for the convertible. 17 Judge GTO convertibles were built, making them the rarest GTO ever made. 1972 saw the downward spiral of the muscle car as emissions and safety mandates from the government, plus ever higher insurance rates increased both the price of purchasing, and cost of maintaining a car like the GTO. Almost 5,000 GTOs were built in 1973 on the new “Colonnade” A-body Pontiac used for the last GTO on the intermediate platform. 1974 was the last year for the original GTO, applied as a performance and handling package for their Ventura compact.

1964 GTO

An entire rethink took place for the Tempest, repositioning it in the “intermediate” range with the new 115-inch wheelbase A-body GM platform shared with the other GM divisions. Gone was the slant-4, rope drive, and unibody. Instead, the new Tempest was in many ways much more conventional, and at just the right time. The LeMans became the top Tempest, followed by the Custom Tempest and then base Tempest. With the 389ci Pontiac engine installed, it became $296 performance package called GTO. That got you the 389, dual exhaust, chrome valve covers and air cleaner, seven blade fan, floor-shift three-speed manual trans with Hurst shifter, handling package, 7.50 x 14 redline tires, hood scoops, and GTO badging. Options included Tri-Power, posi-traction, better cooling, and other performance and handling options.

AVAILABLE MODELS:

1964 Tempest

• Body Style
• 2-Door Sport Coupe
• 2-Door Hardtop Coupe
• 2-Door Convertible

• Engine Options
• 326-2bbl cubic inch V8, 250hp
• 326-4bbl cubic inch V8, 280hp
• 389-3-2bbl cubic inch V8, 348hp
• 389-4bbl cubic inch V8, 325hp

1964 Pontiac Tempest VIN Decoder:

First Character: Engine Type

• 8 ~ 8-cylinder

Second Character: Identifies Series

• 0 ~ Tempest
• 1 ~ Tempest Custom
• 2 ~ LeMans

Third Character: Model Year

• 4 ~ 1964

Fourth Character: Assembly Plant

• P ~ Pontiac, Michigan
• S ~ South Gate, California
• L ~ Linden, New Jersey
• W ~ Wilmington, Delaware
• K ~ Kansas City, Kansas
• D ~ Doraville, Georgia
• A ~ Arlington, Texas

Fifth through Eighth Characters: Basic Production Numbers

The sequential starting numbers for the 1964 Tempest start at 1001/up.