[MikeNoun]

Originally Posted by 71SportRagtop

Nobody stated that 1/4 mile times had anything to do with what a real GTO is. But the simple fact is that the 64-72 GTO's are perceived to be better performing cars than the 73/74's. Isn't that why the GTO (and all other Musclecars) became popular initially because of their performance??

Greg, you are correct, that is what GTO's were all about. But we need to put it in perspective.

The 1973 GTO was one of the fastest cars of 1973.

The 1974 GTO was one of the fastest cars of 1974.

Isn't that GTO tradition?

[71SportRagtop]

Originally Posted by MikeNoun

Greg, you are correct, that is what GTO's were all about. But we need to put it in perspective.

The 1973 GTO was one of the fastest cars of 1973.

The 1974 GTO was one of the fastest cars of 1974.

Isn't that GTO tradition?

Mike you are exactly correct. If you read my initial post I actually said that I LIKED the 74 GTO. Honestly I cannot lie, I just don't like the looks of the 73. I'm not saying it to pick an argument or hurt anyone's feelings, it's just my personal preference.

The OP started this post asking about why 74 GTO's were not as accepted as the earlier cars. Personally I feel that's it's based on the fact that the 64-72 cars have a certain aura about them. It's not just specific to GTO's either. 73-74 Chevelles aren't as popular as the 64-72 models. How about Mustangs? The 64-70 Mustangs are WAY more popular than the 71-73 models (I'm not even going to mention that 74 Mustang II turd). The same even goes for Corvettes....I'm not a big Vette guy but I'd take a 67 427 3x2bbl car over a 75 350 auto Vette any day of the week.

If I see a 74 GTO at a show or a cruise, I would definitely check it out and talk to the owner. Not once did I ever say that they weren't true GTO's. I simply stated my opinion, which is that they were not as popular because of the performance drop off.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by MikeNoun

Greg, you are correct, that is what GTO's were all about. But we need to put it in perspective.

The 1973 GTO was one of the fastest cars of 1973.

The 1974 GTO was one of the fastest cars of 1974.

Isn't that GTO tradition?

Actually IIRC the fastest 1973 American vehicle was the Chevy C10 454 4-spd like the one used in The Driver (1978) movie with Ryan Oneil http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077474/

As a kid I remember Hot Rod Magazine announcement of The 454 Chevy Truck as the fastest 1973 created quite a stir in the media and gear head public.

BTT 1974 GTOs: Anyone can flame any year of any make or model...obviously.

This is a sad but true same old BS debate...flame on and disrespect. Who cares if you don't like a '74? Really? Just pass and move on.

[MikeNoun]

Alvin, that's true about the Chevy truck (those Lil' Red Express trucks also enjoyed some serious street credibility in later years).

Note I stated that the 1973 GTO was ONE OF the fastest cars of 1973 (obviously the 1973 SD-455 Trans Am gets the respect here). The 1973-1974 GTO's were quick for the years they were offered, no different than how the 1978-1979 TA 6.6 cars are viewed, or even the 80-81 Turbo Trans Am's and Formulas. They weren't tire blistering old school musclecars, they weren't going to beat a 1969 RAIV car, but they were fast compared the rest of the Detroit automotive landscape at the time.

Always at (or near) the top of the performance ladder, that's why we love Pontiacs.

So if you don't accept the 1974 GTO, then I guess that's YOUR problem. They are GTO's, and they deserve to be treated with the same respect as any other year GTO. They don't have to be your favorite, they don't have to be the fastest, but if everyone loved the same year car, life would be pretty dull.