What is the name of the iconic muscle car introduced by Pontiac in 1964?

The iconic muscle car introduced by Pontiac in 1964 was the Pontiac GTO.

For the 1964 model year, Pontiac offered the GTO as a $295 performance package on the intermediate Pontiac Tempest-based LeMans. It added a large 389-cubic-inch V8, upgraded suspension, wider wheels, special badges, and other equipment that transformed an ordinary intermediate car into a serious performance machine.

The GTO’s creation is associated with Pontiac figures John DeLorean, Bill Collins, and Russ Gee. They exploited a General Motors policy loophole: the company restricted engine size in intermediate cars, but did not forbid offering a larger engine as an option. The formula proved popular, with 32,450 GTO packages sold in 1964—far above the initial forecast of 5,000.

The name was inspired by Ferrari’s 250 GTO and abbreviates the Italian phrase Gran Turismo Omologato. Firebird, Camaro, and Mustang were different models produced by competing divisions or manufacturers. Pontiac made the GTO a separate model beginning in 1966.