In the 1960s, the Pontiac GTO was the top muscle car in the United States. It began life as an experiment by Pontiac executives, including John DeLorean, to build a vehicle attractive to the younger generation. The company evaded a GM rule that outlawed engines over 330ci in midsize cars by offering the GTO package as an option on the LeMans line. The executives predicted that Pontiac would sell 5,000 units; car dealerships sold over 32,000 examples.

Clearly, the experiment was a huge success, inspiring Pontiac to offer the GTO as an independent model. Pontiac had inadvertently created the muscle car and became the most successful manufacturer in the segment. However, the vehicle’s reign at the top ended swiftly due to dwindling sales, the oil crisis, and tightening emissions regulations.

Pontiac waited until they had a car worthy of the GTO name before resurrecting it. In the early 2000s, the famous name returned on a car popular in Australia, the Holden Monaro. The rebirthed GTO featured a 5.7-liter V-8 engine and could reach 60 MPH in a little over 5.3 seconds. The 2005 model saw significant improvements, including a more powerful LS2 6.0-liter V-8 engine producing 400 horsepower and a top speed of 178 MPH.

The new GTO was not a conventional muscle car in terms of its appearance, but it offered impressive performance and handling. It had a stiff chassis and a performance-tuned suspension, resulting in stable and precise cornering. The car was also a comfortable cruiser and featured a spacious and well-designed interior.

Despite its performance capabilities, the fourth-generation GTO faced issues such as high price, reliability problems, and a lack of the quintessential muscle car look. These factors contributed to its sales failure. However, the GTO is now considered one of the best sleeper cars on the market, with its combination of power and understated looks. A 2005 model can be found for as low as $12,500.