Substitute some Beastie boys and Van Halen for the 60s groups, and this could be last Saturday night on The Boulevard. The twist is that this opening paragraph was the lead for Hot Rod’ magazine’s May ’67 road test of Pontiac’s 400-cu-in GTO.
The ’67 “Goat” was locked in a battle for the musclecar crown with contenders like the Chevy SS396, Plymouth Barracuda, and Olds 442, and it was the talk of the town. Box-stock and equipped with the Hurst dual pattern Turbo Hydramatic, the GTO zoomed from 0-60 in 6.5 seconds and covered the quarter mile in 14.5 seconds at 99 mph. There were even raves about how this new Pontiac handled the curves, radical talk for the 60s.
Well, 20 years have passed and Pontiac is still vying for top musclecar honors. Currently, its most muscled specimen is the new GTA, a 350-ci-in version of the Firebird, a loaded-for-bear street stormer packed with performance and luxury features.
Driving these two top-of-the-line performers back to back instantly gives you an idea how much technology has gone down the pike. The’67 car is slightly larger in all dimensions than the Firebird-based GTA, and on the road, the GTO is far less nimble. You sort of ride along in the ’67 without much communication with the road, whereas in the Firebird, you fell like a part of it, with a direct connection to surface. There’s just no comparison. Oh, how jaded we’ve become.
Granted, the GTO was a little quicker (the GTA turned a 15.35 quarter at 91.6 mph and 0-60 in 6.89 seconds), but consider 50 extra cubic inches, no emission control, and lower gears. Other than that and some nostalgic tugs, again, no contest.
As the GTO was in its day, the GTA is a real looker. It’s essentially a full-boat Firebird with just about everything lumped into one package. There are no decals or pinstripes on this Bird, no screaming chicken on the hood. The approach is subtle – what Pontiac likes to call monochromatic, everything from the rear spoiler to the front airdams is body color. BBS-style 16-in. aluminum wheels with gold center and P245/50VR16 tires round out the styling package. Even though this basic design has been around a while, it still looks great.
All the interior options on the Firebird are standard on the GTA. We have always liked the simple, yet functional dash on the Firebird, the full complement of analog gauges, and the comfortable, leather-bound steering wheel and matching gear lever, but what really stands out are the new fully articulating bucket seats. Extremely supportive, they have pneumatic lumbar and back wing bolsters, mechanical thigh supports, and a four-way pivoting seat adjuster. The headrest may be set up, down, fore, and aft as well. The back seats in Firebirds have never been much to talk about – they’re for short hauls or kids – but if you ride in one for any length of time, just think how comfortable your friends up front are.
The GTO and the GTA still resemble each other in one area – the unmistakable throaty sound of a big V-8. The 400-cu-in. 4-bbl GTO put out 360 hp, and the ET is there to prove it. On the other hand, the high-tech 5.7-liter tuned port injection in the GTA is rated at only 210 hp, but quick throttle response coupled with an excellent 4-speed overdrive automatic and limited-slip hustle the GTA down the track in fine style.
Combine this with the Firebird’s great handling traits and you’ve really got something. Pontiac’s top-of-the-line suspension kit is called the WS6 performance suspension package and is standard on the GTA. It consists of 36mm front and 24mm rear anti-roll bars, heavy-duty springs, gas shocks, 4-wheel disc brakes, and power-assisted, close –ratio (12.7:1) steering. Unlike the GTO, which can be a handful on mountain roads, this baby likes curves.
The GTA’s standing start launch on the strip was as impressive for an automatic as we can remember. The torque converter stall speed is matched just right to the engine’s characteristics to keep the Goodyear Eagle VR50s at the brink of adhesion with no wasted motion.
In fact, when testing at the dragstrip, one of our checks for launch consistency is from 0-100 ft, and the GTA was the quickest automatic in memory and one of the quickest cars at this distance.
When it comes time to stop, 4-wheel disc brakes really make a difference on a 3400-pound car. The standard Firebird stopped from 60 mph in 147 ft, whereas the GTA hauled down in just 131 ft, a number usually associated with high-priced European types. Interestingly, the ’67 GTO took 186 ft from 60-0 and felt edgy doing that.
On the skidpad, the GTA pushed quite a bit, but in the slalom and on the road, it’s an absolute hoot to drive. Oversteer is controlled with the right foot, and the tight suspension, quick steering, and great brakes give you the confidence to put it where you want it and keep your foot down when you need it.
It’s Saturday night. Hollywood Boulevard is jammed as far as you can see. If we were in the GTO, we’d probably stay on the Boulevard, but the GTA makes us want to get out and sample the open road. Truly, the beat goes on…"
POWERTRAIN
Vehicle configuration:.......... Front engine, rear drive
Engine configuration:.......... V-8, OHV, 2 Valves/cylinder
Displacement:.......... 5736 cc (350 cu in.)
Max. power (SAE net):.......... 210 hp @ 4400 rpm
Max. torque (SAE net):.......... 320 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm
Transmission:.......... 4-sp. auto. O/D
Final drive ratio:.......... 2.29:1
CHASSIS
Suspension, f/r:.......... independent/live axle
Brakes, f/r:.......... Disc / disc, power assist
Steering:.......... Recirculating ball, power assist
Wheels:.......... 16 x 8.0 in. alloy
Tires:.......... P245/50VR16
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase:.......... 2566 mm (101 in.)
Overall length:.......... 4867 mm (191.6 in.)
Curb weight:.......... 1576.6 kg (3476 Ib)
Fuel capacity:.......... 58.7 L (15.5 gal)
PERFORMANCE
Acceleration, 0-60:.......... 6.89 sec.
Standing quarter mile:.......... 15.35 sec./91.6 mph
Braking, 60-0:.......... 131 ft.
Lateral acceleration:.......... 0.84g
Base Price:.......... $13,259
Price as Tested:.......... $18,772
