The 1980s muscle car magazines divided GTO fans as being into 1963-67 or 1968 and beyond, with older folks being into the older grouping. Today, those younger folks are somewhat old, yet their preference takes precedence in popularity these days—the top GM muscle cars hover around 1969-70.
Nonetheless, this week’s AutoHunter Picks feature a duo from each segment, one from each brand that produced high-performance cars. There’s a little bit for everyone: stock or modified, hardtop or convertible, stick or automatic, all from 1966-69. Which one would you pick?
1966 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Convertible
Nineteen sixty-six was the last year the 4-4-2 package was available on three F-85 models: F-85, F85 Deluxe, and Cutlass. It was also the only year three two-barrel carburetors were an option.
On paper, it was an equal to Pontiac’s Tri-Power, but in popularity it was much rarer, with 240 convertibles having this option. A manual transmission was required, with this one having the optimal four-speed.
1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 396
A lot of Chevy folks just loooove Marina Blue, and combining the hue with a 1967 Chevelle SS 396 can be thought of as the ultimate Bow Tie for some. Additionally, 1967 was the year the three-speed TH400 automatic—long overdue—debuted, giving Chevy fans a way to be competitive with a slushbox.
Also new for 1967 were Rally wheels, which had a unique center cap only used this year. This one has the step-up 350-horse big-block and nicely contrasting white top and stripes.
1969 Pontiac GTO
I think this stuff is fascinating: though attractive to contemporary eyes, Burgundy metallic was not the most popular color for 1969 GTOs.
Combine that color with the standard 400/350, wide-ratio M20 four-speed, 3.55 gears with Safe-T-Track, and gauge package, and you have a GTO that’s a cut above your average automatic/3.23 single-trac Goat. This one is certainly for the more discerning.
1968 Buick GS 400
General Motors limited this car to 400ci, which put it at a disadvantage compared to Mopar and FoMoCo competitors. However, an enterprising owner dropped in a 430, the engine that GM should have installed in the first place.
Now you have a Buick that screams more than it ever did, all with the low-end torque that the brand from Flint was famous for. Other features on this one include a stellar black with red stripes color combo and US Mags wheels for a tough look.
