The GTO, which is short for Gran Turismo Omologato, is considered the work of engine specialist Russell Gee, chassis engineer Bill Collins and Pontiac’s chief engineer John DeLorean. The design came about after GM announced that divisions were no longer allowed to be involved in auto racing. Instead of building racing machines, they were ordered to create vehicles that offered street performance. The GTO was Pontiac’s answer.

The very first GTOs rolled off the line in 1964 as option packages for the LeMans. They came in convertible, two-door coupe and hardtop coupe styles. With a 6.4L V8 under the hood, dual exhaust, a Carter AFB four-barrel carburetor and a three-speed manual transmission, they were meant to eat up the road.  Other models followed with the second generation of the GTO arriving in 1968. This year saw the introduction of the fastback style. Production continued until 1975 when Pontiac turned its attention to other products. There was a reintroduction of this line in 2004, but the updated, redesigned model failed to impress purists.

Today, a classic GTO in restored condition can fetch a rather high sales price. It is not uncommon to find these cars available for sale in a huge range that runs from about $9,000 all the way up to $90,000, depending on the condition and the year.  Certain models, like the 1969 GTO RA IV Super Stock, for can even top the range with asking prices of more than $100,000.

While the glory days of GM’s Pontiac division are gone for good, they live on in highly sought after models like the GTO.

It was reported on November 3, 2009 that the Camaro just topped the Ford Mustang in production and demand for the fifth straight month.  Over 63,000 have been produced since March of 2009 and over 47,000 consumers have taken delivery on the car.

In addition, Chevy has one more thing to be proud of when it comes to this car.  The 2010 Camaro was awarded by the magazine, Popular Mechanics, the Best Vehicle Design award.  This will be laid out in the upcoming December 2009 issue, which will be on news shelves shortly and divulges the full array of Annual Automotive Excellence Awards.

Chevy spent years reworking this model to get back to the “pony” cars of the 1960’s and 1970’s.  The 2010 Camaro is a tribute to that particular era and it is expected that this car will likely attain “collector’s item” status before the year closes.

Longevity can be part of a classic, it is true. Some of the most durable vehicles are so durable due to the master craftsmanship that went into creating them – honing the parts, sourcing the right engineers, using the right techniques to make a good car into a great car. Some cars have just hung around, are on their ninth life (in cat terms) and have no justifiable claim to being works of classic art. To overuse the word like many people do is to do a disservice to the real classics. One should always think carefully before calling something a classic. Sometimes these things simply happen to just be old. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, of course…

Anything that James Dean drove at any point also has a realistic claim to the “Icon” tag. Most particularly, the Porsche 550 Spyder in which he died back in 1955 has gone down in history and been much replicated in the past five decades. This shows that a car doesn’t even need to feature in a film, book or show to become legendary – merely being owned by someone iconic can do this for a vehicle just as quickly.

There are as many great cars from films as there are great films, one might argue. The Ford Grand Tourino driven by Starsky and Hutch will never be forgotten by many of the people who enjoyed either generation of that classic, nor will the DeLorean from Back to the Future, nor indeed the legendary eponymous VW Beetle with a mind of its own from the Herbie movies such as The Love Bug and Herbie Goes Bananas.

American muscle cars are often referred to as “dirt track brawlers” or similar. They have a certain look that would make you believe they could punch their way through anything, as though any other car would be intimidated off the road by the mere sight of them. They are short, powerful and classic, and undeniably American. Their place in United States culture is very firmly established and they are adored not only in America and in the rest of the world.

There is a tremendous buzz to driving the classic American muscle car, with the burst of speed that it gives you, the power and the glory behind the wheel and under the bonnet. Any fan of classic cars would be captivated by the muscle car.

From the Torpedo and the Bonneville to the GTO, Grand Prix and Firebird, this GM Company represents a major tale in American automotive history. Recently, it was announced that this line would be no more. The news means an end to a story that dates back decades. It does not, however, mean that the legacy of Pontiac will not live on.

Make no mistake; the news is grim for fans of newer Pontiacs. This goes without even mentioning the ominous implications the line’s closure has on the American car industry as a whole. For collectors, however, the last chapter in Pontiac history could prove to be quite exciting. This already popular make for collectors is likely to become even more so as people scramble to snatch up the last of the Pontiacs.

What the future holds for the eventual collector value of the Pontiacs on the road today remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that this make is an American legend that will not soon be forgotten

There is some difference between a car that has been turning heads since its arrival on the forecourts and one that has simply been around for some time, and when it comes to buying a classic it is important to be aware of the distinction. Sometimes a seller will put a car on the market and proudly proclaim that it is a classic when, in reality, it is a lemon that they want to get off their hands at the earliest possible opportunity. Making sure that you buy the classic and not the citrus fruit can be difficult, which is why you should at least look to test drive it first.

Do your research before you buy. Some cars which look like absolute peaches run like the aforementioned lemons. It can be tempting to judge a book by its cover – sometimes you don’t have hours to spend reading the first chapter – but if all you can do is wash and buff the car because it will fall apart if you try to make it go over 40 mph it is going to become a real pain really quickly. Reading up about the longevity of certain cars by going to specialist websites such as http://www.classiccars.com/ is an excellent first step. You can call it research, but it’s actually indulgence at the same time!

]]> http://www.classicaltogo.com/232/an-old-car-is-not-always-a-classic-car/feed/ 0 http://www.classicaltogo.com/215/kitsch-for-classic-car-lover/ http://www.classicaltogo.com/215/kitsch-for-classic-car-lover/#comments Fri, 15 May 2009 18:08:10 +0000 Alice http://www.classicaltogo.com/?p=215 If you have been searching high and low for the perfect gift to give a classic car enthusiast, think kitsch and you will be on the right track. Accessories that speak to the past and offer a little “bling” for a restoration job are very much the in thing.

So, what can you buy a classic lover without breaking the bank? Some of the options more or less readily available out there include:

• Fuzzy dice – This is the quintessential classic car accessory for lovers of vehicles from the 50s or so. While this accessory is most certainly kitschy, it can prove to be a big hit.
• Dashboard hula dancers – These blast-from-the-past dolls can still be found in automotive outlets. Male and female dancers can both be found to grace dashboards and entertain passengers.
• Seat covers – Unusual seat covers, like animal prints, can go over well with some car lovers. Just be sure they don’t already have something lined up on this front.
• An eight-track player – These make great accessories for cars from the 1960s. They can sometimes still be found in junkshops and via online auction and sales sites. If a classic is already equipped, hunt down tapes to increase driving music selection.
• Memorabilia – Any pictures, key chains, old advertisements and so on that relate to the classic in question or its related line of vehicles will likely garner a big response. Be creative and have fun on this front.

Finding a great gift for a classic car lover does not require a lot of money. What it does demand is a little creativity, thought and a willingness to think on the kitschy side now and again.

Owned in the show by demon hunter Dean Winchester, the black Impala was once little more than a prop. As season four of the show nears its end, it has become clear the car is a favorite not only of the character that supposedly owns it, but fans as well. The car has become such a part of the show, when another character was put behind the wheel in a single episode, the plot device made headlines.

So, what is it about the classic Impala that gives it so much personality?

It all comes down to the sleek design, the power and the fact the Impala was, for a time, one of America’s best-selling cars. The line dates back to 1958 and has included a number of different generations. Dean Winchester’s Impala is a member of the car’s third generation and boasts a powerful 427 Turbo-Jet V8 under the hood. In the show, the dark black car is practically an extension of its driver’s personality.

While gas guzzling muscle cars might not be in style on production lines any longer, they remain quite popular among vehicle lovers, collectors and even on the little screen. The Impala is an American legend that continues to inspire awe.

• Internet sites – Pick any make or model car from just about any year imaginable and there will be a web site out there dedicated to it. From American made vehicles to the best cars Europe has had to offer, there are informative fan sites that provide a ton of information.
• Books – Volumes have been written on specific automobiles through the years. From manuals on how to repair a certain vehicle to collections of information on a particular make, books can be found to address many of the questions you might have about a classic.
• Magazines – There are a number of titles dedicated to particular makes of cars, classic cars in general and even very specific models. Magazines can be an excellent source of information on restoration, repairs, financing, parts and even upcoming shows.
• Classic car clubs – Perhaps one of the best places to learn more about classic cars in general is through an enthusiasts’ club. These organizations provide a bevy of information from people who are truly in the know. Clubs can suggest further reading materials and members are often more than willing to share their own experiences.

When people have a passion for something, they want to read more about it. As a classic car enthusiast, you’re no different. Fortunately, there are a number of outlets you can turn to gain the knowledge you desire.