Torrid Red/5.7 Liter V8/Procharger Supercharger/Tremec 6-Speed Manual

2004 Pontiac GTO Coupe

The Pontiac GTO became known as "The Goat" due to an interpretation of the letters that make up its name. Figuratively speaking, the car's "defiant, stripped-to-the-basics personality" also had a hand in cementing the moniker, according to Edmunds.com. It is speculated that the acronym GTO, which stands for Gran Turismo Omologato, was taken from the Ferrari 250 GTO. American consumers have a history of shortening the names of cars with multiple syllables, and this likely influenced the nickname of this Pontiac brand. "The Goat" is catchy, easy to remember and was essentially born out of convenience.

Initially, the version 2 reboot of the GTO was powered by GM's LS1 V8 making 350hp and this car has some extra ponies courtesy of a Procharger supercharger to spice it up just a bit! Either way, any newer Pontiac GTO will simply embarrass nearly any old Goat you could name. Ahhhh technology.

Exterior
This new version styling (called Holden/ Euro) means that each unit from every company essentially takes on the same traits, and this ubiquitous example plays along exactly with the game. With no reference to the past conquests, we can see integrated headlights, front bumper and lower fog lights are aerodynamically inserted and smoothed over. A slight reference to Pontiac in form, is the split front drilled hole grille in black with the arrowhead badge. All panels are bathed in Torrid Red, and it's electric (on the visual, it's actually an internal combustion engine!). A flared rocker panel moves rearward to a greenhouse long sloping rear glass that ends with a rear spoiler. More integrated taillights rear bumper and finally a black roll pan with a GTO logo flanked by dual zoom tube chrome tipped exhaust that exit on the same side. Standard 5 spoke alloy aluminum wheels on all 4 corners and all black trimmings around windows keep it simple.

Interior
Fashioned from curved molded vinyl and a strip of suede, the door panels are as aerodynamic as the exterior. High back extra bolster support buckets in dark red leather, have an embroidered GTO in their uppers. These seats are power adjustable. In back is a 2 plus 2 bench setup, stretching from B pillar to B pillar. In the center is a curved molded console that makes its way gracefully upward and melting into the dash. On its way is an AM/FM radio, in full living color screen readout for information, and Bluetooth capabilities. Fan and temp knobs are just above this display. The dash borrows styling directly from Porsche with the overlapping circle gauges, red faced with white numbers and letters and satin bezels in a black field. This is all on display under a curved dash top visor. Black carpet dances with some red carpeting for the floors and more molded panels covered with slightly fuzzy material for the headliner.

Drivetrain
Stuffed under the curved dual vented hood is a living breathing 5.7 Liter V8 LS1 engine. It is in very good condition as is the entire engine bay with no corrosion or rust, all original. EFI feeds it, and this mixture is stuffed into the cylinders with a Procharger Supercharger. A Tremec T56 6-speed manual and a 3.46 limited slip rear finishes up the drivetrain. Did I mention it puts out serious horses?

Undercarriage
Up on the lift some slight dusting of road dirt and overspray from the factory is all that I could find wrong and is that really wrong??! Totally structurally sound with the unibody construction. All independent suspension, and all power disc brakes, all around for this car. A shiny stainless steel Magnaflow exhaust is now installed and snaking its way rearward...lets make some noise!

Drive-Ability
As expected, this car fired right up, and performed like a supercharged car should on the test track. Seat pushing acceleration, rail like handling, and quick stopping were the norm. All functions were performing as they should, and it is a smooth highway cruiser with low noise factor.

A nice example of the new version of the GTO even though someone would have to tell me it's a GTO if the badges were not there. Holden/Euro styling has taken over, and now we have an aero car with a big mill. Which in the entire picture is not too bad! And it's a little throwback to the early GTO muscle that roamed the streets of the past.

VIN DECODE
6G2VX12G84L233413
6-Australia
G-General Motors
2-Pontiac
V-V2 Series
X-GTO
1-Coupe
2-Manual Belts, Front Airbags
G-5.7L LS1 V8 350hp
8-Check Digit
4-2004
L-Elisabeth, South Australia Assy Plant