1st Impression - GTO

[Grizzly]

Originally Posted by yellowboxster01

Grizzly are you speaking of the 288GTO?

It was the 250 GTO, produced from '62 - '64. The 250 GTO was an interesting story in itself. Ferrari was able to convince the racing regulators that the GTO was a 250 GT, which had been converted for racing, when in fact, it was a largely different, purpose built race car. Only 30 or so Ferrari GTOs were ever built. I don't know how many survived, but when they're offered for sale, they go in the ten-million dollar range.

Originally Posted by bmussatti

Grizzly, good history lesson. Thanks!

Yeah Bill, I'm a wealth of completely useless muscle car information, but ask me if I remembered to take the trash out. I have no idea.

[yellowboxster01]

So they ran a modern day GTO against a early 60's model Ferrari. Big deal, run that GTO against any modern day Ferrari and they'll get their ass handed to them. The GTO250 was top dog in the 60's and 70's but, really is nothing compared with any of the F series.

I remember a few years back an American car company ran one of their new cars and said "beats a Ferrari in the quarter mile". No where in there did it say which model, it turned to be a Mondial.

[Grizzly]

Originally Posted by yellowboxster01

So they ran a modern day GTO against a early 60's model Ferrari. Big deal, run that GTO against any modern day Ferrari and they'll get their ass handed to them. The GTO250 was top dog in the 60's and 70's but, really is nothing compared with any of the F series.

I remember a few years back an American car company ran one of their new cars and said "beats a Ferrari in the quarter mile". No where in there did it say which model, it turned to be a Mondial.

No, no, no. They ran the '64 Pontiac GTO against the '64 Ferrari GTO back in 1964. If I remember clearly, it was Car and Driver Magazine, but I could be wrong.

[yellowboxster01]

oh ok, my bad. Well that's a relief. I misread that.haha

That's something I wouldn't put past an American car company but, now that I fully understand, that makes alot more sense.

[silver arrow]

I test drove a 2005 GTO before I bought the STi back in 05. The GTO was the nicer car right up until the point in went around a corner.

Turn in.........................weight starts to transfer.........................car takes a set and turns. It felt like steering a cruise ship rather than a sporty car. The STi instantly turned in, just point and shoot. Had a terrible ride quality though and drew lots of attention. The Boxster is much lower key to drive normally and a blast to drive when I want to. Gets much better gas mileage than the STi too.

[Frodo]

Quote:

"No, no, no. They ran the '64 Pontiac GTO against the '64 Ferrari GTO back in 1964. If I remember clearly, it was Car and Driver Magazine, but I could be wrong."

Posted by Grizzly.

Yep, twas Car and Driver:

http://www.web-cars.com/gto/c-d_pf-gto.php

I hadn't realized this before, but sounds like Pontiac may have pulled a fast one, engine-wise:

http://www.contes.com/ccvmore.htm

In any case, as you point out Griz, they achieved the desired effect. The Goat sold pretty well!

[Brucelee]

All of these cars need to be considered in context.

Time period.

Market targetted

Price point

So, for the price, target market, and time period, the original Pontiac GTO was a real winner.

For other reasons, the recent GTO was not. However, comparing a recent GTO to a Box certainly is out of context. It was a large coupe with an very large engine.

Not exactly a Box competitor.

The early reviews on the Pontiac G8 are very positive. Will be interesting to see how it sells.