During 1965, all of the Pontiac body styles were completely redesigned and included three different Pontiac GTO models: the hardtop, sports coupe, and the convertible. Each included the curved glass appearance which allowed the upper structure to better integrate with the lower structure as part of the overall car design. The Pontiac GTO also offered multiple exclusive features including a new distinctive simulated air intake located in the center of the hood panel and an all new eye-catching body paint stripe located just below the fender. The GTO was powered with a Pontiac 389 engine with a four barrel carburetor which was standard on GTO models.
Mr. E. M. Estes, former Vice President of General Motors and General Manger of Pontiac, stated, “Every 1965 model is a newly inspired Pontiac creation containing performance, styling, and luxury features never before offered in the middle price range.” Prices for the base Pontiac GTO package started at $2,787 with the convertible model starting at $3,093.
The advertising for the Pontiac GTO generated an overwhelming amount of interest and success. The advertising campaigns included a Pontiac GTO with tiger skin draped across the front stating, “There’s a live one under the hood” or "How to Tell a Real Tiger from a Pussycat: Drive It". Sometimes the advertising campaign even used a real tiger along the side of the Pontiac GTO. The advertising campaign slogan created a new youthful philosophy for General Motors that continued throughout many other ideas for performance and muscle cars.
The Pontiac GTO sales became a huge marketing and promotional campaign success. Various merchandising items were also offered which more than doubled sales in 1965. There were many great people behind Pontiac’s popular advertising and success such as Mr. Jim Wagners, Marketing Manager of Pontiac, Mr. Bill Collins, Chassis Engineer, Mr. Russell Gee, Engineer Specialist, and Mr. John Z. DeLorean, President of Pontiac. The name GTO was generated by Mr. John Z. DeLorean from the 250 GTO successful race car which had many followers and admiring fans.
Today, the 1965 Pontiac GTO models remain recognized among collectors and automotive historians as a great sport car with a quick wide track tiger image.
A special thanks to Robert Tate, Automotive Historian and Researcher, for donating the story to the MotorCities Story of the Week program. Photographs courtesy of Bob Tate’s Personal Collection (Bibliography: Frumkin,MJ. Classic Muscle Car Advertising The Art of Selling Horsepower.Krause Publications, 2002. Bonsall, Thomas. Pontiac They Built Excitement The Story Of An American Automobile Company, 1926to 1992, Stony Run Press.)
Please do not republish the story and/or photographs without permission of MotorCities National Heritage Area. For further information contact Robert Tate at btate@motorcities.org. If you have a story that you would like to donate to be featured as a MotorCities Story of the Week, email Lisa Ambriez at lambriez@motorcities.org.