By 1973, the once-hot mid-size Pontiac GTO was a shadow of its former self, at least in terms of demand. It was a one-year generation car as all of GM’s intermediates were redesigned that season. In 1974, the GTO was shifted to the compact Ventura platform and retired after that. This ’73 GTO was once rare because it was only one of 544 built with a 455 cubic inch V8, but that engine is gone and replaced by a period-correct 400 (the standard ’73 GTO engine). Located in Colon, Michigan, this Poncho is something of a project and is available here on eBay where the first bid of $10,900 has yet to be cast.
Compared to 90,000+ GTOs produced annually in the late 1960s, output was down to just 4,800 copies in 1973. Though the car had an all-new body, Pontiac’s marketing folks chose to promote the new, European-inspired Grand Am instead which saw sales at a multiple of seven over the venerable GTO. Most of the GTOs ordered in ’73 came with a 400 V8, so the 455 was scarce then and more so now. It’s a shame the bigger motor is no longer with this example.
The seller offers a documented Pontiac for sale, complete with PHS paperwork and a build sheet. With roots in dry climates like California and Arizona, we’re told this machine is rust-free and the photos try to support that (for example, the inside of the trunk is super clean). The filler panel by the front bumper is missing, but a new one comes with the car along with the correct steering wheel. A new paint job is likely warranted, but we don’t know if what’s there is original. It is a black-on-black-on-black car (vinyl top) from the factory.
We’re told the Pontiac runs well, so there’s no rush to start some form of restoration. The only stuff that’s known to be missing is the radio and the air conditioning hardware under the hood. The tires and exhaust are newer (within the last two years). The indicated mileage is 80,000 and there’s no reason to believe that’s not accurate. If you’ve been wanting to add a GTO to your harem, this would be the rarest to go with. Even the Ventura GTO sold in bigger numbers (but not by much).
Not sure if 73 or 74 is least loved GTO. 74 is always derided as a Nova, but these 73s have a face only a mother would love
73 is the rarest year with 4806. 74 rebounded slightly to 7058.
THAT is not deserving of the GTO name …
I may be the only one, but I like the look of the ’74 GTO over this one.
This looks a lot like yhe ’75 Grand Le Mans I had. I teally like the way it looks!
I ordered a 74 GTO in midnight blue with red interior, 4 speed, gauges, limited slip and just about every box I could check. Really liked that car. Wife got it in the divorce 6 months later. Came back to me 20 years later from our son and I sold it a few years later as a resto project with window sticker etc from original owner. Ex had to make all the payments so I guess I did ok.
They where great driving ,really had the same power as 71,72 .The only reason why they were not as quick was the 4-500 hundred lbs.I had 2 different cars like these great on highway
I have always liked this style of Pontiac. Hard to trust what you’re buying these days.
That’s why I always say… If it’s not numbers matching with documents. It’s just a used car and the crazy price isn’t justified.
Not to long ago on here someone bought a piece of rust with a Chevelle sticker for like 15k. Even if you can do 90% of the work yourself (most can only do maybe 30%) you’re looking at a minimum of 50,000 on top of the purchase price. So basically 70k into a car worth 45ish …. Just WOW
Without the original 455 it takes away from the prestige of being one of 544.Find a 455 to back in it,the earlier the better.I think the last source of 455 engines are most commonly found in B body Pontiacs up to 76′.
I lived in milwaukee Wisconsin in 1972. The September of 72 I traded my 68 – 442 in on a 1973 Lemans . I ordered it. As I was doing the build on the car there was no mention by the dealer a GTO was available. This really puzzles me now seeing a 73 GTO was built. I know they offered Grand Ams but it didn’t do much for me. Traded the Lemans in on a 1975 4 speed dark blue trans am.
I think the 73 gto was an ugly car but its only about 5 miles from me and I’ve never seen this one on the road so I am going to look at it and see if I can
From what I have read, the Grand Am was originally supposed to be the ’73 GTO, but they chickened out at the last minute. That’s why Grand Ams have GTO style tail lights and GTOs have LeMans tail lights. I always thought they would look killer with flush bumpers instead of those park benches they had.
Call me crazy, but I really like it. No rust and all black… nice.
Of course I’d prefer it with the original 455 and unmodified door panels. It would cost much more in that condition though, and the price is reasonable so far.
OMG, another Colonnade. They are SO ugly!
That GTO is only about 20 from me. Never seen it on the road.
Should have said 20 miles…
I like it but why in thee h*** would anyone swap a 400 in to replace a 455? That is blasphemy!
I’d guess there was major damage to the 455 and it was easier and cheaper to drop the 400 in or like many classic cars we just never thought that one day they’d be a classic or worth a lot of money
My, how the mighty have fallen. The car that is credited with creating the segment just faded from view. Whether it was pressure from the govt or insurance providers or tension within GM. Knudsen was gone and Delorren was at odds while Pontiac was losing its mojo and layed an egg. One wonders if the SD-455 would have made a difference.
Pontiac had given up trying to sell the GTO by 1973. The American sales brochures barely mentioned it. There was more info about it in the Canadian brochure.
Horsepower for the basic 455 was 250 net. The 455 SD was listed as available in the LeMans and GTO, and was advertised as 310 net hp. However, only a handful of the SD version were actually built. I don’t know why.
John Z DeLorean was long gone from Pontiac by this time..running Chevrolet division. F.J McDonald was at the helm of PMD at this time..another GM “financial” guru who had ZERO passion for the product. He was the one who wanted to kill the 455 SD program and then released it only for Firebird.
The stories I’ve heard are that the SD-455 was delayed by emissions certification. When finally released only the Formula and T/A qualified. No doubt some development cars were around including the GTO that Joe Rosen bestowed with their Muscle Car of the Year.
Having had the Pleasure of owning a couple of GOATS in the 80’s I did find the 73, to be a fun ride, although never matching the speed, looks, style and enjoyment of driving my 69 Judge!
When I was 18, you had to be 19 in Illinois to buy a car if you were a male. I found a 72 Lemans that had all the sport and handling options as this GTO; however, it had the shift selector on the tree, but it had the 455 HO. My Father was going to let me buy it and I brought cash but asked me not to buy it after we drove it. He ran a gas station for a guy that raced all brands. His boss let him drive the 70 Judge on occasion. He told me that that Lemans was nearly as quick and since it wouldn’t be collector’s car, isn’t worth the risk. I didn’t buy it.
You can put any badge on it you want its a Pontiac Le Mans/Grand Am.
Nothing Special about it now that the 455 is gone. Its not a stick or an SD.
There a lot of People overpaying for a Used car that needs a lot of work.
Good luck on both side of the deal.
I had one of these in the early 80s. Weird car. It wallowed down the road like a boat. I wouldn’t call it a performance car at all. It was never able to pass a gas station without stopping.
Well I appreciate the intention, Odd times for the Gto and what they call the chevelle,
On a positive note, to me the 73 monte carlo( one year fit) was a hit.
The Dodge Charger for 73 was done better than the Gto/ Chevelle.
The 73 grand prix on here today is a better deal with 455 than this Gto.
I remember how disappointed my friends and I were when all the great muscle cars of the late 60s and early 70 turned into cars like this!
What a “bone”! Just so Fugly! But as PT Barnum said, “there’s an a_s for every seat!”😆
Oh my
I wish I could bring it home
Awesome car
Already have to many projects 🙃
I think this car was fairly priced at $11,500. I’m glad it’s getting saved.