18. 1964 Pontiac Tempest LeMans GTO
What many consider to be the first American muscle car (unless you count the ’49 Oldsmobile Rocket 88), the ’64 Pontiac Tempest LeMans GTO was created when Pontiac put a full-size engine in a mid-size car. With the GTO (Gran Turismo Omologato) name taken from the 250 Ferrari, Pontiac proved they could be a brazen brand. All that followed is American muscle history.
The Tempest LeMans GTO came standard with a 389 V-8 engine that delivered 350 horsepower with the optional 3 two barrel carburetors. This special add on was called Tri Power, and boosted performance significantly. This propelled the GTO to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds and blasted through the quarter mile test at 15.8 seconds at 93 mph. The GTO also came equipped with specialized suspension and shock absorbers, dual exhaust, and a heavy duty clutch. It also was adorned with special trim and twin fake air scoops to distinguish the GTO from the standard Pontiac Tempest, which was built on the same frame.
When the engineers at Pontiac made the Tempest LeMans GTO, they started a movement that would define automobile design and engineering for the next century and a half, and capture the attention of a generation.
Engine: 389 V-8 Tri Power – Top speed: 123 mph –
Quarter mile time: 14.7 seconds – 0-60 mph time: 6.1 seconds