MPC 1967 Pontiac GTO 1:25 – MPC710

Few badges from the 1960s muscle car era were as evocative as Pontiacs GTO.

Still claimed by some to be the car that kicked off the business of developing brutal road cars from what were essentially regular American family sedans, the GTO was launched in 1964 as an option pack available on thePontiacTempest, but by 1966 it had morphed into a separate model line.

The original GTO option pack included a 242kW 6.1-litre (389 cubic inch) V8, three-on-the-floor manual-transmission and a reworked suspension that was toughened-up, US-style, via stiffer springs and shock absorbers and aided by wider wheels. Cosmetic signatures included a bonnet scoop and GTO badges.

Even the GTO pack was available with its own options including engine mods that upped the power to 260kW, and the further choice of a four-speed manual gearbox or a two-speed auto.

Come 1967, the now stand-alone hot Pontiac was available in hardtop, convertible and coupe body styles, the 389 V8 was bumped to 400 cubic inches (6.5 litres) and power was increased to 270kW in the most powerful of the three engine variants.

The car was given a minor styling makeover by Pontiac designers, but the now trademark front end with its prominent GTO badge on the left side of the split grille was a warning to other muscle car drivers that this was the real deal.

The GTO continued in the Pontiac model lineup through to 1974, when the model was dropped from the lineup. Australians can take pride in the resurrection of the GTO badge on a left-hand-drive version of theHolden Monaro coupethat was shipped for sale in the States between 2004 and 2006.

This 1967 left-hand-drive GTO two-door coupe on sale in Australiarepresents the muscle car era on its upward surge and looks to be a great example of a fondly-remembered era.

Features:

• Scale: 1/25
• Skill Level: 2 (ages 10 and up)
• Glue assembly, paint required
• Molded-in blue and clear with chrome and black vinyl tires
• Over 85 parts
• Skill level: moderate