• The 1970 Pontiac GTO is a two-door muscle car manufactured by Pontiac. It first entered the market in 1964 as a replacement for the Tempest and Grand Prix. The range ended in 1974, but was brought back between 2004 and 2006 in Australia. The 1970 model came in two versions, the standard GTO and the GTO 455.
  
  

Engine

• The V-8 engine that powers both models has a compression ratio of 10.25:1. There are eight cylinders, with 16 valves to every cylinder. The valve configuration is overhead valve. A wet sump system lubricates the engine and a water cooling system controls its temperature. In the standard GTO the bore and stroke is 4.1 inches by 3.8 inches and the displacement is 399.6 cubic inches. In the GTO 455, the bore is 4.1 inches and the stroke is 4.2 inches. The displacement of the engine is 455.4 cubic inches.
  
  

Performance

• In the standard GTO up to 445 foot-pounds of torque are generated at a rate of 3,000 rpm. It produces a maximum of 350 brake horsepower at 5,000 rpm, with 0.88 brake horsepower drawn from every cubic inch of engine displacement. There is a total of 204.1 brake horsepower per ton. The brake mean effective pressure (BMEP) is 167.8 lbs. per square inch. In the GTO 455, 360 brake horsepower at 4,300 rpm is generated, with 0.79 brake horsepower derived from every cubic inch and 209.9 brake horsepower per ton. A maximum 500 foot-pounds of torque at 2,700 rpm is produced, as is a BMEP 165.6 lbs. per square inch.
  
  

Transmission and Brakes

• Front and back disc brakes measuring 9.5 inches supply the GTO with its stopping power. A three-speed manual transmission applies the engine's muscle to the Pontiac's rear-wheel drive; this system has a top gear ratio of 1.0:1 and a final drive ratio of 3.55:1. On the GTO 455 the final drive ratio is 3.31:1.
  
  

Dimensions

• Sitting on a wheelbase measuring 112 inches, the Pontiac is 202.9 inches long; this is a length-to-wheelbase ratio of 1.81:1. The body is also 76.7 inches wide and 52.3 inches high. With a front track of 61 inches, the vehicle has a rear track of 60 inches. The wheels are 14 inches in diameter. Excluding passengers or cargo, the Pontiac weighs 3,781 lbs. A full tank of gas in the car means 17.9 gallons. These specifications apply to both models of the GTO.