1973 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.
1973 GTO
A new A-body platform meant a new body for the Lemans, of which the GTO was a performance option. The “Colonnade” body was available only in a two-door sedan, four-door sedan, and station wagon. Gone were the hardtops and convertibles because federal roll-over standards were said to be in the offing—though they were never mandated. Nonetheless Pontiac persevered. A government mandate that did stick was the requirement for five-mph front bumpers, which the Lemans incorporated. The 455ci big block was still available, but detuned for ever more stringent emissions requirements.
AVAILABLE MODELS:
1973 Lemans/GTO
- Body Style
- 2-Door Sedan
- 2-Door Spot Coupe
- Engine Options
- 400-2bbl cubic inch V8, 170hp
- 400-4bbl cubic inch V8, 200hp
- 400-4bbl cubic inch V8, 230hp
- 455-4bbl cubic inch V8, 250hp
1973 Pontiac LeMans/GTO VIN Decoder:
First Character: GM Division
Second Character: Series
- D ~ Lemans
- F ~ Lemans Sport
- G ~ Lemans Luxury
Third and Fourth Characters: Body Style
- 27 ~ 2-Door Sedan
- 37 ~ 2-Door Sport Coupe
Fifth Character: Engine
- P ~ 400-2bbl V8, Dual Exhaust
- R ~ 400-2bbl V8, Single Exhaust
- S ~ 400-4bbl V8, Dual Exhaust
- T ~ 400-4bbl V8, Single Exhaust
- W ~ 455-2bbl V8, Single Exhaust
- X ~ 455-4bbl V8, Performance
- Y ~ 455-4bbl V8, Dual Exhaust
Sixth Character: Year
Seventh Character: Assembly Plant
- P ~ Pontiac, Michigan
- L ~ Van Nuys, California
- N ~ Norwood, Ohio
- A ~ Atlanta, Georgia
- C ~ South Gate, California
- D ~ Doraville, Georgia
- G ~ Framingham, Massachusetts
- X ~ Kansas City, Kansas
- Z ~ Fremont, California
Eighth through Thirteenth Characters: Basic Production Numbers
The sequential starting numbers.
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