America’s first muscle car?
While the title of ‘first muscle car’ is certainly contentious, one of the models often cited as a frontrunner is the Pontiac GTO. This is despite the fact that it was certainly not the first independent nameplate to be considered a ‘muscle car’, as the 1964 and 1965 GTO was merely a performance upgrade package for the Pontiac LeMans. It was not until 1966 that the GTO became a stand-alone offering, but by then the ripples of its high-power engine and aggressive styling had already reverberated across the American automotive landscape.
A total of four generations would come and go before the name was retired in 1974, but a short-lived and low-production resurgence would be had in the very different-looking fifth generation Pontiac GTO, which ran in the US from 2004–2006. The fifth-gen GTO was effectively a re-named but otherwise identical Holden Monaro, an Australian subsidiary of General Motors. Today’s example was purchased by the current owner in 1991 and received a repaint in the original color, as well as a Chevrolet 350ci V8 engine and a three-speed automatic transmission that same year. Let’s see how those restorations held up!
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A red that would leave the original ‘green’ with envy
This 1969 second-generation GTO left the factory in green, but when the current owner acquired it in 1991, the color was changed to a deep-bodied red gloss. The original Endura front bumper is still sitting on the nose, a damage-resistant body-colored design introduced on GTOs in 1968 and a key innovation in modern vehicle safety standards. That Endura bumper frames a bifurcated black grille with silver accents and GTO lettering, as well as four round hideaway headlights and a slightly protruding nose.
The rear bumper is still done in shiny chrome, a blocky, square bar of metal that turns up around the corners, with carved-out spaces for the two quad tail lights. Also in the back sit dual exhaust pipes, one on each side under the bumper. Up top is a power-operated white convertible top, and in front of it sit two small twin hood scoops with black mesh covering the openings. The rubber meets the road with 15″ Rally II wheels with five stubby spokes, shod in 235/60 Bf Goodrich Radial T/A tires with raised white lettering.
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Going green? More like green going gone
The factory-original upholstery was a green that matched the original body color, but like the outside, the interior was redone in 1991, this time in Ivory White vinyl on the front bucket seats, rear bench, and door panels, and black on the dash, center console, carpeting, and trim. The dash has been padded, and, in addition to heat and air conditioning, it also features a Pioneer stereo wired to Kenwood speakers.
The shifter is aftermarket, specifically a Hurst Dual Gate shifter bolted right onto the almost floor-level center console. A tri-spoke Grant GT steering wheel is clad in black around the rim, with stubby cutouts on each silver spoke and five prominent black screws holding it to the steering column. Behind the wheel sits a 0-120 mph speedometer with a double analog clock to the right anda combination auxiliary gauge to the left.
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A heart transplant that’s still ticking strong
We don’t know the original engine specs for this GTO’s powertrain, but we do know that for the last 35 years, a replacement Chevrolet 350ci (5.7L) V8 has roared under the hood, with an aluminum intake manifold, an Edelbrock four-barrel carburetor, and an Accel distributor fitted for extra performance. Sadly, we don’t know which version of the Chevy 350 was installed, and performance can vary wildly from just under 200 horsepower to over 400 horsepower, depending on the year the engine was made.
While we don’t know the exact amount of power being produced, whatever that value is is pushed to the rear wheels by way of a Turbo Hydra-Matic three-speed automatic transmission that was installed at the same time as the engine, with a limited-slip Safe-T-Track differential attached as well. Power steering and power-assisted braking on front discs with rear drums add additional handling control and safety, with the front calipers, hoses, and pads all replaced in 2020. The car’s odometer reads 70,000 miles, of which about 15,000 are from current ownership.
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Final thoughts: A legend restored
From the paint job and color to the upholstery of the interior to what’s under the hood and sending that power out, this Pontiac GTO has seen a total restoration. Despite that effort itself being performed 35 years ago, the work still holds up great, with a like-new finish. You can really tell the owner has taken exquisite care of their baby for over three decades, and now that care and meticulous maintenance are yours to benefit from if you win the auction. You can check it out here, and if you’re lucky, this piece of American muscle car history can be yours!
