The Pontiac GTO is considered by many the first true muscle car. While other manufacturers were focusing on their fullsize lines, Pontiac saw the opportunity for dropping a big block engine into an intermediate frame and marketing it at a budget price.

 

Pontiac sneaked past the GM restrictions on this combination by making the GTO an option on the Tempest model. The GTO sold in great numbers and would fuel the competition between GM, Ford, and Chrysler that would keep the muscle car industry thriving for years to come.