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The Most Popular 1966 Pontiac Cars

1966 Pontiac GTO

1966 Pontiac GTO

The 1966 Pontiac GTO became a separate model series, rather than an optional performance package, with unique grille and tail lights, available as a pillared sports coupe, a hardtop sans pillars, or a convertible. New Strato bucket seats were introduced with higher and thinner seat backs and contoured cushions for added comfort and adjustable headrests were introduced as a new option.

The 1966 Pontiac GTO most commonly has a 4-barrel 389 engine, but there was also a tri-power option. After its release, Pontiac added an XS Ram Air package to the 3-power engine giving it a hotter cam and greater power – close to 380 hp – truly ideal for a muscle car.

The XS Ram Air package upgrade included the cam and stiffer valve springs along with an accessory pack that enabled the decorative hood scoop to be converted into a functional cold-air induction system.

Although the 1966 Pontiac GTO is powered by a V-8, the big news for Pontiac in 1966 was the introduction of an overhead cam six. The 1966 Pontiac GTO was considered a separate series and displayed distinctive trim on the new Tempest sheet metal. A small number of GTOs were ordered with a boss new option: weight-reducing red plastic inner fender liners. Inside, the new instrument-surround was genuine wood.

The 1966 Pontiac GTO’s exterior dimensions are 5243 mm length, 1890 mm width, 1372 mm height, 2921 mm wheelbase, 1473 mm front track, and 1500 mm rear track.

1966 Pontiac LeMans

The Pontiac Le Mans started life as a luxury and performance package for the mid-sized Tempest coupe and convertible, and left this world as an economy compact coupe. It is perhaps best known for introducing the Pontiac GTO to the world. This too was first sold as package on the upscale Le Mans, boasting a stiffer suspension, dual pipes, Hurst floor shifter, performance tires, and a 389 V8 hitting 260-hp.

For 1966, all Pontiac intermediates got swoopier styling featuring tunnelback rooflines on 2-door hardtop and pillared coupes. The 1966 Pontiac LeMans got a new SOHC 230 cubic inch 6-cylinder engine as the base engine. The new SOHC I6 was available in an economical one-barrel carbureted, 165 hp version that was standard equipment on all Pontiac intermediates except GTOs.

The 1966 Pontiac Tempest Sprint was a satisfying performer, if hardly in the GTO’s league. It could do 0-60 mph in 10 seconds and reach 115 mph. With options like bucket seats, console, and four-on-the-floor, the clean-lined Sprint had the look and feel of a European grand-touring machine. A longer stroke took the ohc engine to 250 cid for 1968, good for 175 bhp or, in Sprint trim, 215 bhp (230 bhp for ‘69).

The 1966 Pontiac Le Mans’s exterior dimensions are 5243 mm length, 1890 mm width, 1372 mm height, 2921 mm wheelbase, 1473 mm front track, and 1499 mm rear track.

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