Hi, nwmaximus, everyone
Whenever someone mentions GTO, musclecar, and putting the big car engine in the little car, I have to speak.
John Delorean wasn't the first with the big engine, little car thing,
The horsepower race had already been going on since just after WWII.
In the 40s' the big Olds "98" used a flathead inline 8 and shared the Cadillac/Buick platform. The small "Olds" used a flathead inline 6 and shared the Ch*vy/Pontiac platform.
For reference, in '49, if one wanted an OHV V8, one would have Olds. Cadillac, or a foreign exotic, to choose from. all other V8s were flathead.
In '49, the Olds "98" was to use the new OHV V8, with the Hydramatic trans only. The Chevy bodied "76" was to use the flathead inline 6 with hydro or stick.
Someone noted that there was about a half ton difference between the two platforms, and the OHV V8 in the "76" would make a good combination.
When they took the idea upstairs, they were told NO!
So they went ahead and did it anyway, and they called it the "88".
The guy responsible must have had a lot of brownie points stored up, because when the brass found out (after the deed was done), they said "if it doesn't sell you're out of a job".
That year in NASCAR (when they really were stock cars) Olds Kicked A$$, picked up a lot of market share, and no one got fired.
Most Importantly, the 88 made as big, or bigger splash, at the time, than the GTO did fifteen years later.
Thanks, I don't often get a chance to set the record straight.
Regards, Norm

Hi All
By the way, my favorite isn't listed. Its any Olds with a V8 and rear drive.
Regards, Norm

88 Coupe makes a good point. I don't consider the GTO the starter of the muscle car era, I consider it the start of a real HP street war. Before the GTO, GM said Chevy would be mainly in control of street performance. Then the GTO came followed closly by 442, Chevelle SS, and GS. Thus starting to begining of the street wars and drag wars.