Pontiac luminary Jim Wangers is about to throw his hat back into the specialty-car ring with the new "Jim Wangers Signature Edition GTO." The following press release, received just yesterday, will fill you in on all the latest details.
Jim Wangers, the "Godfather of the GTO" to team with Big 3 Performance (www.big3performance.com) on the production of a Jim Wangers Signature Edition GTO. Alongside Jim Wangers' favorite Pontiac, his '69 Carousel Red GTO Judge, Wangers and Big 3 Performance's new CEO, Robert Cloud, wrap up their day of discussion on producing a prototype GTO for the upcoming Jim Wangers Signature Edition limited run of specialty GTOs.
Jim Wangers understands the importance of creative marketing, perhaps as well as anyone in the auto industry today. The legendary "ad man" for Pontiac and the marketer behind the Pontiac GTO and several other Pontiac specialty cars, Wangers helped establish the "muscle car" of the '60s in its rightful niche in the history of American car marketing.
No, he didn't invent the GTO. That credit goes to John DeLorean, Russ Gee, and Bill Collins, but Wangers was certainly the man who created the mystique that surrounds America's original muscle car, the Pontiac GTO. Now that many of the folks who were teenagers when the GTO first came out in 1964 are older and can afford near-perfect restored versions of their dream machines, Wangers is more well-known and more in demand than ever.
Using Jim Wangers' '69 Judge as the concept's design starting point; Big 3 Performance's new Goat is certain to incorporate all that today's enthusiasts seek in contemporary styling and performance.
Although production details are still very hush-hush, sources have confirmed that the Jim Wangers Signature Edition vehicles will be powered by a traditional, big cubic-inch Pontiac V-8 powerplant available with either a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission. To keep the power planted, expect these cars to come fully equipped with pro touring suspension, wide-track tires, and a race-spec rearend, suitable to handle street/strip duty.
No color combinations have been confirmed at this point, but one could expect to see some classic colors with a modern spin. As for styling, Big 3 Performance says we'll have to wait for the soon-to-be released renderings.
Big 3 Performance is a company of real car people--enthusiasts in touch with the glory days of the American muscle car and who today are reawakening those memories in others who thirst for modern American performance. With more than 32 years of combined experience, the high-octane approach of Big 3 Performance expounds their dedication to delivering modern day performance in an iconic American muscle car package. Seven major publications in the last two years, including GM High Tech, Truckin' and Super Fords, have sung the praises of Big 3 Performance and its performance offerings.
Teaming to produce a Jim Wangers Signature Edition GTO is certainly Big 3 Performance news for the muscle car and enthusiast community.