Pontiac GTO

The Pontiac GTO was introduced in 1964 as a concept of putting a large engine in a small car, thus inventing the "muscle car". It was based on the Pontiac Le Mans and Tempest. The GTO was named after the Italian words Gran Turismo Omoligato, or "grand touring homologated". Ferrari had also used the name on some of its sports cars. Despite the name the Pontiac GTO was not used in GT racing until the revival model decades later, which did not see much success as a grand tourer. The GTO was more successful in NASCAR during the Grand National era. Regardless if not for the GTO the "muscle car wars" would not have happened. A special "Judge" edition was offered in 1969. The revival model was based on the Holden Commodore, but did not see much success due to bad timing as the brand was on its way out. The original GTO was noted for its "Coke bottle" shape. This design was applied to a 1999 concept car which never saw production.