1966 was the year the GTO finally became its own model.
1966 Pontiac GTO
Well it was finally official, GTO had become its own model for Pontiac in 1966 and sales of the new GTO Model sky-rocketed. The new GTO saw many different features including Grill placed parking lamps, GTO nameplates, standard single centered hood scoop, V-shaped front wheel opening badges and a special 389 cubic inch four barrel V-8 with Dual Exhaust and high performance shock absorbers and front stabilizer bars. Engine and power train remained the same for model year 1965 with a standard GTO being equipped with the 335 horsepower 389 4 barrel. The optional high-performance 389 could be ordered rated at 360 horsepower at 5200rpm. Surprisingly the Tri-power option was dropped for model year 1966.
Optional equipment on the GTO included: Air Conditioning
- Power Steering -
Sprint Option Package -
Ride & Handling Package -
Rally Wheel Trim
- Custom Steering Wheel -
Safe-T-Trak
1966 Pontiac GTO Specifications and Production
Model Number
Body/Style Number
Body Type & Seating
Factory Price
Shipping Weight
Total Production
GTO Series 242
242
07
2d Coupe - 5P
$2,783
3,445 lbs
10,363
242
17
2d Hardtop - 5P
$2,847
3,465 lbs
73,785
242
67
2d Convertible - 5P
$3,082
3,555 lbs
12,798
Note: 96,946 GTO's were built in 1966
Model Series Identification
GTO 2d Coupe - 5P - 24207
GTO 2d Hardtop - 5P - 24217
GTO 2d Convertible - 5P - 24267
Chassis Data
Model
Wheelbase
Overall Length
Width
Front Tread
Rear Tread
Tires
GTO
115 in
206.4 in
74.4 in
58 in
58 in
7.75 x 14
VIN Decoding
Serial Numbers were on the left front hinge pillar. Fisher body on cowl tells style number, body number, trim code, paint code, and other data.
First Symbol - Manufacturer
2 = Pontiac
Second & Third Symbol - Series
33 = Standard Tempest & Station Wagon w/o wood grain
52 = Catalina & Ventura
35 = Custom Tempest & Station Wagon w/o wood grain
54 = 2 + 2
37 = LeMans
56 = Star Chief
39 = Safari Station Wagon w/ wood grain
62 = Bonneville
52 = Catalina & Ventura
66 = Grand Prix
Fourth & Fifth Symbol - Body Style
07 = two-door sedan
45 = station wagon three seat
11 = two-door sedan
57 = two-door hardtop
17 = two-door hardtop
67 = convertible
35 = station wagon two seat
69 = four-door sedan
37 = two-door hardtop
87 = two-door hardtop
39 = four-door hardtop
Sixth Symbol - Last Digit Of The Model Year
6 = 1966
Seventh Symbol - Assembly Plant
(B) Baltimore, Maryland
(P) Pontiac, Michigan
(C) Southgate, California
(R) Arlington, Texas
(D) Doraville, Georgia
(U) Lordstown, Ohio
(E) Linden, New Jersey
(V) Bloomfield, Illinios
(G) Framingham, Massachusetts
(X) Kansas City, Kansas
(K) Kansas City, Missouri
(Z) Fremont, California
Last Six Symbols - Production Sequence
Started at 100001
Options and Accessories
Description
Description
Power Steering
Ride & Handling Package
Air Conditioning
Rally Wheel Rims
Sprint Option Package
Custom Steering Wheel
Whitewall Tires
389-cid/338-hp V-8
1966 Pontiac GTO Engine Options
Letter Code
Engine
Horsepower
Torque
Transmission
Carburetor
WS
8-389
360
424
Manual
4 BC
WT
8-389
335
431
Manual
4 BC
WW
8-389
335
431
Manual
4 BC
WV
8-389
360
424
Manual
4 BC
XE
8-389
335
431
Turbo Hydra-Matic
4 BC
XS
8-389
360
424
Turbo Hydra-Matic
4 BC
YR
8-389
360
424
Turbo Hydra-Matic
4 BC
YS
8-389
335
431
Turbo Hydra-Matic
4 BC
Transmission Codes
Transmission
Location
Turbo Hydra-Matic 350
Stamped on servo cover on right side of transmission.
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
On metal tag fastened to right side of transmission case or on the left side of converter housing.
Powerglide
Stamped on a metal tag located on the right side of the transmission.
Super Turbine 300 (TempesTorque)
On metal tag fastened to right side of transmission case or stamped on lower servo cover.
Jetway
On metal tag fastened to right side of transmission case or stamped on lower servo cover.
3-Speed
Painted or stamped on the transmission case.
4-Speed
Painted or stamped on the transmission case.
Plant and Type Designation Prefix
Transmission Type
LA
TempesTorque
LB
TempesTorque
MA
TempesTorque
MB
TempesTorque
MC
TempesTorque
NA
TempesTorque
PA
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
PB
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
PC
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
PD
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
PG
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
PH
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
PQ
Turbo Hydra-Matic 400
Axle Codes
Location Of Axle Codes: Letter codes are on the rear of right hand axle tube near carrier or on the left hand brake drum.
Codes - Non-Locking
Codes - Locking
Ratio
WB, XB
YB, ZB
2.56
WC
YC
2.78
WD, XD
YD, ZD
2.93
WE, XE
YE, ZE
3.08
WF, XF
YF, ZF
3.23
WG, XG
YG, ZG
3.36
WH, XH
YH, ZH
3.55
WK, XK
YK, ZK
3.90
WL, XL
YL, ZL
4.33
Codes beginning with "W" and "Y" are standard brake linings. Codes beginning with "X" and "Z" are metallic brake linnings.
Paint Codes - Exterior Colors
Color Name / Code
Color Image
Color Name / Code
Color Image
A - Starlight Black
Lucite® Code - 88L
Dulux® Code - 93-005
NOTES: The first letter of a two-letter paint code identifies the body color. The second letter identifies the roof color. (For example, the combination VC on a Pontiac would indicate the body finished in Mission Beige and the roof area in Cameo Ivory.) General Motors paint code plate for all models except Corvair and Corvette is located under the hood at the top of the firewall on the left or right of the upper shroud. Corvair paint code plate is on the left cross-rail in the engine compartment. Corvette paint code plate is on the instrument panel brace, below the glove compartment.
Paint Codes - Interior Colors
Color Name / Code
Color Image
Color Name / Code
Color Image
Parchment
Lucite® Code - 9000L (semi-gloss)
Medium Turquoise
Lucite® Code - 4628L (semi-gloss)
NOTE: Unpolished LUCITE® will generally produce a gloss comparable to original interior semi-gloss finishes. If lower gloss is required, use 2 oz. DuPont #4528S flattening compound to a pint of unreduced color.
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