First OFFICIAL pictures of 2004 GTO
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,724
From: Hebron, KY
"Sketch" implies drawing...didn't know that should have been pointed out.
I like the look. You know it wasn't going to be too out there--and it shouldn't be; the original wasn't. Again, it'll sell regardless, but I see this car being very well received. Plus, where do you go in a year or two if you toss all the scoops and ducts on this one? I'm sure there will be a "Judge" or higher performance edition that will incorporate these features in the future. I also think it's clearly more aggressive than the Monaro. Still gotta like the HSV flavors. I dunno, but I think they might used that HSV GTO pic as inspiration when drawing this one.
HSV GTO and GTS
I like the look. You know it wasn't going to be too out there--and it shouldn't be; the original wasn't. Again, it'll sell regardless, but I see this car being very well received. Plus, where do you go in a year or two if you toss all the scoops and ducts on this one? I'm sure there will be a "Judge" or higher performance edition that will incorporate these features in the future. I also think it's clearly more aggressive than the Monaro. Still gotta like the HSV flavors. I dunno, but I think they might used that HSV GTO pic as inspiration when drawing this one.
HSV GTO and GTS
Disciple
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 873
From: Chicagoland, IL www.5thGen.org
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by jrp4uc:
HSV GTO and GTS</font>
HSV GTO and GTS</font>
I like it how it is, but I would like to see a little more agression in the design.
Either way, it'll sell.
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[This message has been edited by OctaneZ28 (edited June 20, 2002).]
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,224
From: CNY
That car is F*****G AWESOME!!! It's what Pontiac should have been doing for years!! It's about time they ditched that designed-by-an-eighth-grader-in-study-hall look.
This is exactly what the original GTO was. A sleeper. Looks like a Tempest, goes like a Vette.
And that is just what the new one is.
Did you check out the rims? Look like modern interpretations of the old Rally II wheel. How cool!!! And it looks like they got the GTO badging correct with the "GTO" on the driver's side grille. I love the big flush fog lamps.
And you guys worrying about scoops and such, I wouldn't. I'm sure Pontiac has a Ram Air Package up their sleeve that they're not divulging yet. It will have the forward facing Ram Air inlets and hopefully a pedestal mounted rear spoiler, for those who want it.
I got to agree with the posters who are saying that those of you who don't like the car are probably younger guys who like a more aggressive look. Unfortunately(for you guys), that segment is not the GTOs target. I bet it's shooting for the 35-60 group who may have had or always wanted a GTO.
I say BRAVO to GM for finally getting their head out of their a$$ and BRAVO to Pontiac for bringing us such an awesome car.
I guess my next problem is getting onto a waiting list at the local Pontiac dealer.
That car will look awesome in my garage next to my C/E.
This is exactly what the original GTO was. A sleeper. Looks like a Tempest, goes like a Vette.
And that is just what the new one is.
Did you check out the rims? Look like modern interpretations of the old Rally II wheel. How cool!!! And it looks like they got the GTO badging correct with the "GTO" on the driver's side grille. I love the big flush fog lamps.
And you guys worrying about scoops and such, I wouldn't. I'm sure Pontiac has a Ram Air Package up their sleeve that they're not divulging yet. It will have the forward facing Ram Air inlets and hopefully a pedestal mounted rear spoiler, for those who want it.
I got to agree with the posters who are saying that those of you who don't like the car are probably younger guys who like a more aggressive look. Unfortunately(for you guys), that segment is not the GTOs target. I bet it's shooting for the 35-60 group who may have had or always wanted a GTO.
I say BRAVO to GM for finally getting their head out of their a$$ and BRAVO to Pontiac for bringing us such an awesome car.
I guess my next problem is getting onto a waiting list at the local Pontiac dealer.
That car will look awesome in my garage next to my C/E.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 148
From: A pineapple under the sea.
I like it but a while back someone posted a rendition of this Holden with stacked lights and a '67 Goat-type grille that I preferred. At least it's in keeping with the current Pontiac theme. Remember, Lutz wants Pontiac to be the American version of BMW. The days of hideous scoops and cladding is over....thank God. Though the suggestion of a racier "Judge" version would be a good addition as well.
Screw Ford and that blown Cobra, here comes da Judge!
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'81 Turbo T/A
-'75 Pontiac 400
-Richmond 5-speed/3.70's
-Holley 650cfm 4-barrel on 1/2 in. spacer, blocked exhaust crossover, 160* thermostat, Blackjack 1-5/8 in. 4 tube headers, Thrush 2-1/4in. dual exhaust kit w/ Thrush California Turbo mufflers, no A/C-no emission controls; drunk bitch induced front-end damage, placed on indefinite hiatus.
'97 Z-28
-LT1 350
-Borg Warner T56 6-speed
-descreened MAF, blocked off air silencer, TB bypassed, Flow Tech Warlock 3in. muffler w/ built-in cutout, Moroso CAI, custom cold air scoop = 277.7 rwhp/ 301.9 rwtq; add-on's since last dyno = Hypertech airfoil, 160* thermostat, B&M Ripper
Screw Ford and that blown Cobra, here comes da Judge!
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'81 Turbo T/A
-'75 Pontiac 400
-Richmond 5-speed/3.70's
-Holley 650cfm 4-barrel on 1/2 in. spacer, blocked exhaust crossover, 160* thermostat, Blackjack 1-5/8 in. 4 tube headers, Thrush 2-1/4in. dual exhaust kit w/ Thrush California Turbo mufflers, no A/C-no emission controls; drunk bitch induced front-end damage, placed on indefinite hiatus.
'97 Z-28
-LT1 350
-Borg Warner T56 6-speed
-descreened MAF, blocked off air silencer, TB bypassed, Flow Tech Warlock 3in. muffler w/ built-in cutout, Moroso CAI, custom cold air scoop = 277.7 rwhp/ 301.9 rwtq; add-on's since last dyno = Hypertech airfoil, 160* thermostat, B&M Ripper
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,698
From: USA
For teh car to be here next year that means that that design is pretty much locked down guys. They issue these sketched alot (Colorado, SRX, to name a few) and they are always right on the money. That sketch is on Pontiac's website right now. The car is a bastardized Monaro plain and simple...but I would rather have it than nothing
Registered User
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 403
From: Wish I knew..
No creativity whatsoever.If maybe they would extend the grills around the headlights(like the '70) and put a hood bulge or ram-air then it might be interesting.
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1991 Z/28 350TPI red ext. w/gray int.
1973 Z/28(project car)
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1991 Z/28 350TPI red ext. w/gray int.
1973 Z/28(project car)
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 564
From: Fletcher, NC, US
!!TED!!, you got anything new on this front?
http://www.angelfire.com/ego/mylego0/gto.htm
that face looks great. if you could raise the blackout a bit in the middle so it doesn't go so steep and add some full-length ram air scoops from front to back, it may be really interesting to see, even though we'll never have it that way.
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1982 Recaro Trans Am (Y84), LU5/WS6/CC1/G80/J65/etc. 3,070 orig. miles (6/20/2002) - http://ohok.com/82recaro
1985 Base Firebird, F41/LB8/GU5/etc. CB radio, 142kmiles. http://ohok.com/82recaro/kizzsfb.jpg
1984 Firebird S/E, WS6/LL1/MD8/etc. All original, 102kmiles. Sold 5/02 http://ohok.com/82recaro/kizzsse.jpg
http://www.angelfire.com/ego/mylego0/gto.htm
that face looks great. if you could raise the blackout a bit in the middle so it doesn't go so steep and add some full-length ram air scoops from front to back, it may be really interesting to see, even though we'll never have it that way.
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1982 Recaro Trans Am (Y84), LU5/WS6/CC1/G80/J65/etc. 3,070 orig. miles (6/20/2002) - http://ohok.com/82recaro
1985 Base Firebird, F41/LB8/GU5/etc. CB radio, 142kmiles. http://ohok.com/82recaro/kizzsfb.jpg
1984 Firebird S/E, WS6/LL1/MD8/etc. All original, 102kmiles. Sold 5/02 http://ohok.com/82recaro/kizzsse.jpg
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 190
From: Toronto, Ont, Canada
What do I think of the official rendering?
It looks like Lutz's fingerprints are all over this one.
Notice that the grille and foglights (also the color) of the pic are very much like the Solctice?
This is a typical rebadge, but well executed.
Theres no need to go overboard. The Monaro is a nice ride, and so will be the GTO.
And it is a STOP GAP product.
For sure, they have more daring designs waiting in the wings (like the 1999 GTO concept, remember?).
Ill do a more aggressive version for those who want to see it though.
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---Ted Krygier-->
TED ONLINE
It looks like Lutz's fingerprints are all over this one.
Notice that the grille and foglights (also the color) of the pic are very much like the Solctice?
This is a typical rebadge, but well executed.
Theres no need to go overboard. The Monaro is a nice ride, and so will be the GTO.
And it is a STOP GAP product.
For sure, they have more daring designs waiting in the wings (like the 1999 GTO concept, remember?).
Ill do a more aggressive version for those who want to see it though.
------------------
---Ted Krygier-->
TED ONLINE
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,224
From: CNY
91ZMan,
I think you mean the '68s and '69s. The new GTO remains remarkably true to the '70 version.
One thing that I would have liked to see was the twin grilles to be deeply recessed like the '70 and '71-'72 cars. But I have to imagine that that would be extremely expensive and would probably wreak havoc on the aerodynamics and cooling effciency.
For any one that's interested, you need to check out the latest issue of Pontiac Enthusiast (not Pontiac Excitement). In it there is an article by the legendary Jim Wangers. He was the ad genius behind the success of the original GTO. He lays out a whole bunch of ideas to ensure the acceptance and success of the new GTO. It's the July/August 2002 issue on pages 14-15. Good reading.
And in the same issue, they talk about the GTO term "The Great One". Jim wanted to do a campaign calling the GTO a "Goat", it's nickname on the street. GM would not approve. Wangers, in a letter, complained to Delorean about the death of his idea. Delorean kicked it up to John Malone (Pontiac's ad manager) with instructions to run the ad without GM approval. Malone knew better. He showed Wangers letter to GM management. Next thing he knows, Wangers is in his boss's (Ernie Jones) office being told he was fired for "offending GM's ad manager". He wasn't fired. And from the gist of this article, it looks like "The Great One" was borne out of this advertising flub.
This article is another must read along with Wangers' own book "Glory Days".
I think you mean the '68s and '69s. The new GTO remains remarkably true to the '70 version.
One thing that I would have liked to see was the twin grilles to be deeply recessed like the '70 and '71-'72 cars. But I have to imagine that that would be extremely expensive and would probably wreak havoc on the aerodynamics and cooling effciency.
For any one that's interested, you need to check out the latest issue of Pontiac Enthusiast (not Pontiac Excitement). In it there is an article by the legendary Jim Wangers. He was the ad genius behind the success of the original GTO. He lays out a whole bunch of ideas to ensure the acceptance and success of the new GTO. It's the July/August 2002 issue on pages 14-15. Good reading.
And in the same issue, they talk about the GTO term "The Great One". Jim wanted to do a campaign calling the GTO a "Goat", it's nickname on the street. GM would not approve. Wangers, in a letter, complained to Delorean about the death of his idea. Delorean kicked it up to John Malone (Pontiac's ad manager) with instructions to run the ad without GM approval. Malone knew better. He showed Wangers letter to GM management. Next thing he knows, Wangers is in his boss's (Ernie Jones) office being told he was fired for "offending GM's ad manager". He wasn't fired. And from the gist of this article, it looks like "The Great One" was borne out of this advertising flub.
This article is another must read along with Wangers' own book "Glory Days".
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,176
From: Chicagoland IL
Everytime I look at that picture I like it more. Even the color combo.
Just curious,... for all you guys that want scoops, vents, cladding, huge spoilers, neon lights or whatever...do you have $35k to plunk down on this car?
Just curious,... for all you guys that want scoops, vents, cladding, huge spoilers, neon lights or whatever...do you have $35k to plunk down on this car?
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 207
From: Merrillville, IN
wow, thats a good lookin car Only thing they could improve is adding the spoiler someone mentioned ( they posted this picture:
http://www.depaulachevrolet.com/main.jpg ) and a ram air hood would be neat too. But thats a really nice looking car as is. Of course, I'm only 17 so I wont be getting one anytime soon, but oh well I hope they'll still have a firebird in the future though, I've always wanted a brand new T/A.
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1988 Pontiac Firebird Formula
TBI 305 A4 (boy do I want a manual..)
It ain't too fast, but it makes for a nice first car
Only thing they could improve is adding the spoiler someone mentioned ( they posted this picture:http://www.depaulachevrolet.com/main.jpg ) and a ram air hood would be neat too. But thats a really nice looking car as is. Of course, I'm only 17 so I wont be getting one anytime soon, but oh well
I hope they'll still have a firebird in the future though, I've always wanted a brand new T/A.------------------
1988 Pontiac Firebird Formula
TBI 305 A4 (boy do I want a manual..)
It ain't too fast, but it makes for a nice first car
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,139
From: Commerce, mi, USA
quote from CLEAN:
With you 100%!!! I really like the new GTO. It's clearly a modern Pontiac, but without going overboard. I also like my Formula due to it seeming more "Jaguar-esque" than say a WS6 T/A. The new GTO almost seems like a perfect cross between a GTP coupe and an LS1 Formula (OMG now I want to sell both my Pontiacs to get one!)
Like TA76 said, SLP can help those who want a car that "shouts" GTO Judge heritage. This is a great stopgap car and I predict will be a hit for Pontiac at a time when they will sorely need a true RWD performance car to help maintain their "excitement" image.
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NBM 99Formula, DF Lid, K&N, SLP WS6 Takeoff Muffler | DFGreen 98 GTP, Insulated SLP K&N, !U!Res, transcooler
| Dark Red Metallic 1990 IROC-Z Camaro, stock
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Well, I guess I'm gonna have to offer the counterpoint in that I actually like the style. Don't get me wrong, I'm suprised that there isn't more of an evolutionary aspect to what is becoming a dated Pontiac look on the front end, but compared to the A(ss)tek, and the Vibe for that matter, I think this is better looking than their more recent attempts. Remember, this is only a stop gap car, a few yrs at the most. I wouldn't be suprised if the next gen GTO wasn't in development already, much like the 2nd gen Fbodies were when the 67's came out.
One point of note, I'm in my early 30's and kind of getting away from the overly aggressive cars marketed to the younger members of my demographic, so maybe this car is being targeted at an older crowd (I don't mean old, just not 18-25 yr olds). I mean I much prefer my Formulas' CLEAN look to that of the T/A's bulky, tacked on look (although that Ram Air hood would look SWEEET on my car), so maybe they're designing this thing to appeal to a "safer" target buyer. By that I mean, maybe we prefer a bit blander style, and don't respond as favorably to bold new styling. I know I'm sounding like an old fart here, but this is coming from someone who likes the simplistic design elegance of the Jaguars, Acuras, and of course, the Formula. </font>
One point of note, I'm in my early 30's and kind of getting away from the overly aggressive cars marketed to the younger members of my demographic, so maybe this car is being targeted at an older crowd (I don't mean old, just not 18-25 yr olds). I mean I much prefer my Formulas' CLEAN look to that of the T/A's bulky, tacked on look (although that Ram Air hood would look SWEEET on my car), so maybe they're designing this thing to appeal to a "safer" target buyer. By that I mean, maybe we prefer a bit blander style, and don't respond as favorably to bold new styling. I know I'm sounding like an old fart here, but this is coming from someone who likes the simplistic design elegance of the Jaguars, Acuras, and of course, the Formula. </font>
Like TA76 said, SLP can help those who want a car that "shouts" GTO Judge heritage. This is a great stopgap car and I predict will be a hit for Pontiac at a time when they will sorely need a true RWD performance car to help maintain their "excitement" image.
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NBM 99Formula, DF Lid, K&N, SLP WS6 Takeoff Muffler | DFGreen 98 GTP, Insulated SLP K&N, !U!Res, transcooler
| Dark Red Metallic 1990 IROC-Z Camaro, stock
Registered User
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 403
From: Wish I knew..
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by HuJass:
91ZMan,
I think you mean the '68s and '69s. The new GTO remains remarkably true to the '70 version. </font>
91ZMan,
I think you mean the '68s and '69s. The new GTO remains remarkably true to the '70 version. </font>
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1991 Z/28 350TPI red ext. w/gray int.
1973 Z/28(project car)