The Resurfacing of the Pontiac GTO

Since 1964 when the Pontiac GTO was released to the public inspired by high performance cars used in races, the car has won a lot of loyal admirers. And even with the discontinuation of the original models in 1974, the legacy of the original model which started the muscle car era did not diminish. Scores of devoted followers still sport the vintage Pontiac GTOs known for their brute strength and power. The car has been a symbol of power since its introduction. After all, fitting a large V8 engine full of power into a coupe chassis could only mean lots and lots of power at the command of the driver.

While the original models did not live long enough due to problems on steering around bends and stopping power, it has left its mark and it was just a matter of time before a new brand of muscle cars comes from its ashes. And so it is that the new Pontiac GTO came into being.

Solving its predecessor’s problem in braking and cornering, the new generation GTO is no doubt the modern muscle car loaded with all the power the car is known for. The car is on a mission to once again to show the public what high performance on road car really means.

The new generation muscle car’s suspension has been upgraded to enable the car to handle bends in the road unlike its predecessors. It sports MacPherson struts on the front, progressive-rate springs, and a 1.1 inch direct-assisting stabilizer bar. While on the rear, the car employs a semi-trailing arm with control link, gas pressurized dampers and a .63 inch direct-acting stabilizer bar. Braking power is also significantly improved using power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes with the assistance of the anti-lock brake system.

The modern version of the Pontiac GTO still has the same power that its ancestors have. It now uses a 5.7 liter V8 engine that is capable of an awesome 350 horsepower at 5,200 revolutions per minute and 365 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. To transfer that power all the way down to the wheels, a six-speed manual transmission is employed by the car. The car has undoubtedly sufficient power but can still be increased significantly by using aftermarket products like a GTO Borla Exhaust system or any other performance enhancing products.

The GTO has always had that special part in automotive history and with the resurfacing of the original muscle car in a safer and even more powerful configuration, it seems that the vehicle will once again turn heads while it coasts on our roads.

Joe Thompson is the owner of a successful auto body shop in Ferndale, California. This 38 year old is also a prolific writer, contributing automotive related articles to various publications.