Cruisin'
1964 Pontiac GTO
BYGREG ZYLA

Q: Greg, how many 1964 GTOs were built, and was it a fluke that the car was ever built? -- G.P., Vermont

A: The 1964 GTO was the brainchild of John DeLorean and staff engineers Bill Collins and Russ Gee. As Pontiac advertising executive and popular NHRA Pontiac drag racer Jim Wangers explains in his book "Glory Days," the trio decided to put a 389 engine in a Pontiac Tempest instead of the tame 326 incher. It was an easy transition, as the engine mounts were the same.

The big hurdle was to get the car approved for production. General Motors had a policy of 10 pounds of vehicle weight per cubic-inch maximum, and since the LeMans weighed about 3,500 pounds, the biggest engine allowable would have been a 350. But since the GM approval committee only got involved with new models, and never options, they would release the 389 engine and "GTO" as an option on the Tempest/LeMans line. The GTO was officially born.

The GTO option RPO382 was an add-on to the base LeMans, featuring the 389-inch V-8 that now included a better cam and cylinder heads, threespeed manual, dual exhaust, heavy-duty clutch, tweaked suspension and special tires for only $295.90. Add three twobarrel carbs ($92), a four-speed gearbox ($188) and a nice package that included a limited slip differential, metallic brake linings and a heavy-duty radiator ($75), and you were ready to cruise the boulevard or quarter-mile.

Pontiac hoped to sell 5,000 GTOs in 1964, but ended up selling 32,450. Production included 7,384 Sport Coupes (window post), 18,422 Hardtop Coupes (no post) and 6,644 convertibles, all built on a 115- inch wheelbase.

Wangers' "Glory Days: When Horsepower and Passion Ruled Detroit" is available for purchase on the Web at www.jimwangers.com/store, www.geetotiger.com or call toll free 1-877-588-4687. It's a great read.

Write to Greg Zyla in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL32853-6475, or send an e-mail to letters.kfws@hearstsc.com.

(c) 2007 King Features Synd., Inc.