1965 Pontiac Tempest LeMans GTO Hardtop
Add to SetSummary
Breathtaking acceleration, a race car name, and a relatively low price -- what's not to like? Pontiac's GTO was a hit, especially among baby boomers with first jobs or generous parents. Other automakers followed with their own big, brawny "muscle cars." But young drivers plus powerful engines produced more accidents and higher insurance rates. That -- along with rising gas prices in the 1970s -- ended the muscle car era.
Breathtaking acceleration, a race car name, and a relatively low price -- what's not to like? Pontiac's GTO was a hit, especially among baby boomers with first jobs or generous parents. Other automakers followed with their own big, brawny "muscle cars." But young drivers plus powerful engines produced more accidents and higher insurance rates. That -- along with rising gas prices in the 1970s -- ended the muscle car era.
Artifact
Automobile
Date Made
1965
Creators
General Motors Corporation. Pontiac Motor Division
Place of Creation
United States, Michigan, Pontiac
Creator Notes
Manufactured by General Motors Corporation, Pontiac Motor Division, Pontiac, Michigan; engineered by John De Lorean.
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
87.70.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford.
Material
Metal
Glass (Material)
Rubber (Material)
Vinyl
Chromium
Plastic
Color
Ivory (Color)
Red
Dimensions
Diameter: 4.06 in (Bore)
Length: 3.75 in (Stroke)
Height: 54 in
Length: 206 in
Width: 73.1 in
Wheelbase: 115 in
Weight: 3478 lbs
Inscriptions
On left and right side decals: GTO / 6.5 LITRE On rear fenders: GTO On right side of trunk: GTO On trunk edge: PONTIAC On front grille: GTO
Specifications
Make & Model: 1965 Pontiac Tempest LeMans GTO hardtop
Maker: General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Michigan
Engine: V-8, overhead valves, 389 cubic inches
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Height: 54 inches
Wheelbase: 115 inches
Width: 73 inches
Overall length: 206 inches
Weight: 3478 pounds
Horsepower: 360 at 5200 revolutions per minute
Pounds per horsepower: 9.7
Price: $2,855
Average 1965 wage: $5,810 per year
Time you'd work to buy this car: about 6 months
Share Anywhere
Use this Artifact Card to share this great find with others. From historic images to vivid descriptions, a record of rich detail is bundled inside a single card.
