A rumor is like both a conspiracy theory and a prank – on the one hand, you have an idea that sounds just true enough to not be completely laughed off, and on the other, you have an event that causes embarrassment for almost everyone involved except its creator. That’s what it’s like to believe a rumor. You desperately hope it’s true and then when it turns out that it’s just another fib making its way through the rumor mill, you kick yourself for ever hoping that something that good could also be true. I searched and searched for news of the new Pontiac GTO and then discovered that not only has it been a rumor for the last several years, but that concept designs for it were put out as part of an April Fool’s Day joke.
I’m disappointed to say the least, but the good thing about a conspiracy theory (and I prank, I suppose) is that there is still some value to be found in it. Despite the letdown of the Pontiac GTO not being confirmed, there are some good ideas floating around out there, and as many vehicles are coming back into vogue, it isn’t completely out of the realm of possibility that the GTO would make a comeback.
While many fans have touted it the original muscle car, it has never been able to keep up with more popular vehicles such as the Camaro. The original GTO was released in 1964 and though it was only around for a decade the first time around, it was re-released in the mid 2000’s for a few years to gauge the public’s interest. It disappeared in 2006 and we haven’t seen it since, though of course the internet is rife with speculation about a possible 2018 or 2019 re-release.
According to the rumors, the new Pontiac GTO is supposed to cost anywhere from $28,000 to $40,000. Its interior will be inspired by the mid-2000’s model, while the exterior will take its design ideas from the elder Pontiac GTO model, though with an updated, modern twist on features such as the headlights. What most fans are concerned about is the engine, and the debate rages between a 6.2 L V8 engine and a V6 engine, though of course anyone who knows muscle cars will most likely be rooting for the V8.
Of course if you can’t wait, you can visit a specialty shop and make over your Pontiac GTO, but where’s the fun in that when a newer model may be imminent? There’s the rub, though. We may talk about this for years and never see another GTO from Pontiac. We may see kits sold, or automobile shops offering re-designs and upgrades, and nary hide nor hair of the rumored new model. Or, we could see it next year. Who knows?
That’s the thing about rumors. Whether you love to spread them, hate to read them because you’ll get disappointed, or fall somewhere in between, it can’t be denied that there’s something about them that intrigues us. Hopefully though, this one will turn out more fact than fiction.
