Featured Model
Performance Years Anniversary Edition
By Tim Cote'
Dec 26, 2006 - 2:25:05 PM

The series which began in June of 1999 with the release of the first issue, a 1969 Pontiac GTO Judge  commemorates the history behind the beloved Pontiac GTO.

Considered by many to be the car that started the Muscle Car craze in 1964, Pontiac Motor Division continued to offer the GTO as an option on the re-designed Pontiac Tempest platform for the 1965 model year. 

Most notable change for 1965 was the new look front end with vertically stacked headlights, twin grills that were recessed into the body which gave the GTO a more aggresive look and also a V shaped hood scoop which could be made functional.

  Production for the 1965 GTO more than doubled from the 1964 model year with 75,352 models rolling down the assembly line.  Buyers had a choice of three different body styles which 55.722 two door hardtops being produced 8,319 post coupes and 11,311 convertibles.

Two engine options were available for the GTO, the 335 HP 389 with a single Carter four barrel carburator or the 389 Tri-Power which cranked out 360 horses.  Transmission options included the base Hurst Shifted 3 speed manual, a Hurst shifted four speed or the two speed Powerglide automatic.

Car Life Magazine did a feature on the 1965 GTO  in their May 1965 issue. Their test car was a slightly tweaked 389 Tri-Power, 4 Speed car which recorded best times of 0-60 MPH 5.8 seconds and standing quarter mile times of 14.5 at 100 MPH.

Performance Years Enterprises in conjunction with the GTO Association Of American and The Pontiac-Oakland Club International  has produced a 600 piece run of this 1965 GTO two door hardtop. Complete with a very nicely detail 389 Tri-Power 360  HP V-8, 4 Speed transmission with Hurst shifter and one of the coolest new features being offered in scale a replication of the side window sticker.  A special 126 piece run of cars will be produced in a Chromalusion paint scheme.  Chromalusion paint changes color when viewed from different angles.  I might add the special paint displays very nicely on this model.

The two pre-production samples which were provided for photos were done very well with only three minor imperfections found. These included a passenger door which did not fit correctly,  a hood which did not want to stay open on one model and loose tail light lens which I fixed with a small drop of glue.  The fact these are pre-production samples which have been shipped all over the world and still display this well should provide a very good feeling of what the collector may expect in the final offering. 

Photos of both cars may be viewed from the link below. For more information about these upcoming models, please visit Performance Years Enterprizes.

Photo Presentation


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