I agree, the Mustang concept was definitely more of a show stopper than the GTO, and that's not because it's "only" a GTO. This is a car coming back after a 30 year absence! The Ford booth overall was very crowded, and probably one of the biggest hits of the show. I think once the magazines get ahold of the GTO and start pasting it on the covers with some nice numbers and headlines, it will get more people's attention.

As an aside I forgot to comment on before, I would say another tell-tale sign that the Chevrolet SS is speaking strongly for a Chevelle is the presence of an original Chevelle at the show. It shows Chevy has an interest in doing something with the car and put it back on people's minds.

 

Wait though jrp4uc... what time were you there? We need to track that now too according to some

I'm not surprised if people say "gee, the new GTO looks like a MC, or a Grand Prix" or so on. All that shows is how true to original GTO roots this car really is. The core of the original GTO's was simple - a hot V8 in a small/midsize car. The new GTO fits that criteria to a T.

Sure the new Mustang concept is a hit. I like it too. In fact there is hardly anything I can think of I don't like about the new Mustang concept, except that maybe it leans a little too much on previous styling from 30 years ago. I believe the production version will be a success, as long as Ford doesn't botch the quality.

But I still say these are apples and oranges. The GTO has no V6 variant for the US. Unlike the Mustang, it has a real back seat. Its quality, if history is any indicator between Holden and Ford, will be superior. The GTO is not targeting all the different markets of the Mustang family. And that's fine with me... I don't want a convertible or a watered-down GT.

 

one thing that still bothers me about the GTO is that it wasnt designed to be a GTO... it was another car that was given a facelift and the GTO badge. I think they just shouldve brought the car over as the holden and left it alone.

 

Again, just like the first GTO's! Those were meant to be run-of-the-mill Tempests.

 

Don't forget 40+ more horsepower and cam change for better low end torque. And this isn't a big transistion, Monaro to GTO. The Monaro is, afterall, their big, classic muscle car. I'm not saying the comments here are implying it, but sometimes people act as if we are receiving some transformed fwd half-assed 4 door as a GTO; something completely non-performance. The Monaro is an outstanding car in every regard. (And yes, I know it's platform traces back to a sedan).

 

The problem with the new GTO is the "GTO" badge. Badge it a "Manaro" and i'm sure it'd have been more welcomed. The problem with it carrying the GTO name is that everyone's so caught up on trying to compare it to the original. "it doesn't have scoops" "it doesn't look as aggressive"...

I personally think it should have recieved an all new name. Overall, it's an excellent car.

 

Monaro......

 

I agree, I'd rather have a 340HP Pontiac GTO than a 300HP Pontiac Monaro

 

Even though I consider the Monaro styling the best I'd rather a HSV GTS or the HRT 427 over the Monaro or the Pontiac with its ulgy grill

 

Id love a "original" 340HP GTO that was built to be a GTO from the drawing board, but from its current condition its just a monaro with a performance/appearance package...I would rather have an updated 340HP Pontiac Monaro..
Just to clear the record, I dont hate the GTO, its a nice looking car, but I think they shouldve imported it here, upgraded its performance aspects as they have and left it with its original name, Monaro...

How would you feel if they imported the Monaro, redesigned the front end and called it the camaro... "the new standard of speed and comfort, the all new Camaro Monaro!!!" I dont think it would be cool.

 

I agree, it probably pisses some of them off. But then again, their car is being given a legendary name.

 

Wow, that kinda sounds like the Firebird/Trans Am appearance package they used to offer for the Camaro.

Funny how reskinning is selectively accepted.

 

Heh Heh

 

Hey, thats a totally differnt story. they started out as 2 different cars, but they grew up as legends together and over time melted into one starting in probably the 80's, but the cars still carried on their own heritage and their own fans... Now if the Monaro and the GTO grew up together from the beginning and slowly started showing simularities over the years and had a merge in their fan base then hey, no worries and no complaints... but they didnt...

not only that, but I would say you have a point, IF the firebird had been discontinued for some time and out of nowhere the camaro was given a "reskinning" and called a firebird, but that didnt happen.. they just had a great influence on one another as they evolved into their present state and I think thats because their fan base was so alike...
now I doubt that the fans of the Monaro are simular to that of the GTO fans....

 

Really? I bet they are quite similar.