The Pontiac GTO had a storied run of 11 years (1964-74). But changes in the market and the demand for muscle cars would shift as the 1970s unfolded. For the first 10 years of its life, the GTO was a mid-size automobile. But for the last go-around, it shifted to the Ventura (Nova-based) compact platform. The seller has a superb ’74 GOAT that looks and runs like new, but the powertrain has been substantially upgraded. Located with a dealer in Utica, Michigan, this rad Buccaneer Red Poncho is available here on eBay for $38,995 OBO. Thanks for the tip, “Curvette”!
Demand for cars like the GTO was falling like a rock in the 1970s. After a peak selling season of 97,000 units in 1966, Pontiac barely peddled 5,000 copies in 1973 after the redesign to the new Colonnade platform. So, the strategy changed, and the GTO became a variant of the Chevy Nova Super Sport in 1974. Sales rebounded slightly to 7,000 units, after which the iconic car was quietly retired. The ’74 GTO was a Pontiac Ventura with a WW3 option that included a 4-barrel, 350 cubic inch V8 as the only choice.
Two main changes have been made to this GOAT, which was built in Michigan but sold new in Canada. First, the 200 hp 350 V8 is gone, replaced by (we assume) a period-correct 455 powerplant. Second, the car was built with a TH-350 automatic transmission, but a 4-speed manual is in place now. We assume that the change occurred at the same time the engine did. The car has only 64,000 miles on it, but how many of those are after the big swap? Also, the seller says the 455 is “built”, so how does it differ from the stock unit offered back in the day?
We’re told the automobile comes with Canadian documentation, but unless Canada required some differences from the U.S. model, why is that important now? We’re also told that just 195 of the GTOs were sent to Canada that year, compared to the rest staying in the U.S. It looks like a great car, but has it been cosmetically restored? The red paint and white/black interior are in awfully nice condition. Besides the drivetrain, the only other departures from stock are aftermarket gauges and the stereo. Would you like to see this “Maple Leaf” GTO in your driveway?
Farewell, my friend, you gave us quite a decade to remember. I feel, there is a certain importance in the last of a kind, and this screams it. Having liked the Nova, for me, the GTO went out with honors, unlike some of our treasured musclecars. While the 455 is a bit much, originally, this car embodied a lot of the original, small car, V8, 4 speed, someone did a nice job for a car to be preserved for the ages. This kids, was the last of the car that created a phenomenon never again to be repeated. Amen.
Pricey for a 1974 GTO, regardless of the engine upgrade or 4spd. At nearly $40,000 there are a lot of other options to choose from, most have a stronger following.
Steve R
Agree. It’s nice and I like these, but I don’t like it at $40k.
Bench seat ?? It looks better if you stop calling it a GTO !!
Well it IS a GTO, whether you like it or not.
Very nice GTO here. A lot of money here. Nice that it is a 4 speed car. Wonder what happened to the original engine. Just put a original radio back in it.
Dimensionally and physically the 350 and 455 look close to identical .Pontiac’s are brilliant for upgrading the engine while keeping it looking factory.Olds and Ford’s FE’s are like that also.And as a teen of the 70’s i loved these GTO’s so this is primo 74′ GTO to me.
I’m sure this is as fun to drive as any 60’s muscle car. But compare the styling of this car to a ’66 GTO: one is sexy, and one is frumpy. Guess which is which.
IMO too much money for too little of a car and a dealer selling it to boot. needs more than a 455.
At least 10 K too too high ! Dealer mark up I suppose….
Any of you GTO experts out there…did they offer a 74 GTO with hatchback, or just the Nova?
They offered a hatchback in all n-o-v-a! Nova, omega, ventura, apollo
I figured that James, but don’t remember ever seeing a hatchback GTO. I’ve seen hatchback Omega.
I had a real GTO back in the day (1965)…this isn’t one of those. However, it might be quite fun to drive.
This 1974 GTO is a Ventura with the GTO option package.
Your 1965 GTO was a LeMans with the GTO option package.
I don’t remember seeing many of these when they were new. Is the shaker hood a stock unit? Any way you look at it, this is a sweet ride! I like the front end, and even with the big bumper the rear looks good too. And can’t beat the rims and tires. Sets just right too, as opposed to the red Nova we saw earlier…pricey, maybe but great looking car.
Yes, the ’74s had the Shaker hood. I believe it was even functional. Someone correct me if I am wrong on that last part.
Bought a gold 350 4 speed from the back of a used car lot in 1984. The price? $275.00 and drove it home.
wow. that’s a steal! did you keep it?
We had three 74 GTOs in town around ’88. One with a 400, then later got a 455. It used to hop pop bottles with the 400. One ( mine) ended up as a parts car for the other two and my 69 Nova. The third was a box stock 350 and a hatch back. I think it was a four speed? Fun little cars and far better looking than the 73/74 Nova. 455 “Goat” started with a 4:10 gear with the 400. After the rear end blew, it got the posi from mine. Not sure what gears they were, imagine 3:23 or 3:42? It was fast but never hopped after the change. My Nova had a 400 SBC/400TH/3:55. Not sure about the hatch, never really talked that kid. Always thought it was cool though. I miss cars that would hop…we tore up a lot of clutches and autos back then….lol