THE SECRETS OF SUNFIRE RED
26 SEPTEMBER 2019
Bucket seats
and four on the
floor—what’s not
to like? Hurst
shifters were a
hallmark of the
GTO, even though
GM corporate
policy prevented
the name from
being stamped
on the shifter
during the GTO’s
first year.A TIGER WITH WHEELS
In his book Glory Days, marketing and advertising guru Jim
Wangers said he and other members of Pontiac’s advertis-
ing agency, MacManus, John & Adams, “were very careful
not to use the general consumer media like network TV, or
regular magazines and newspapers,” for the GTO’s initial ad
campaign, “for fear that a GM exec would see it and get upset.
The entire 1964 GTO advertising campaign was a schedule
of three black-and-white ads in the most popular auto maga-
zines, to appeal to the heart of our market.” This ad ran in the
Dec. 1963 Hot Rod, the same issue with Ray Brock’s first look at
“Pontiac’s agile Tempest GTO.”the same dimensions and fitment. So they
slipped in a 389ci V-8 from Pontiac’s full-
size models. Clearly they were onto some-
thing; they eventually got the go-ahead
to produce the GTO as standalone model,
rather than an option box on the standard
Tempest.
Other upgrades on the GTO included a
thick front sway bar, heavy-duty shocks,
stiffened springs, and high-speed 14-inch
redline tires. The Roadability Group added
sintered metallic brake linings and a
limited-slip diff. The sporting attitude car-
ried over inside, where all GTOs got bucket
seats and an engine-turned aluminum
instrument surround.
As for that obscure shade of Sunfire
Red (code N), to be precise, it’s more of
a salmon shade with a hint of orange,
along with an early version of metallic that
Pontiac had trouble applying, according
to Pontiac’s former marketing maven Jim
Wangers. Many owners had trouble with
the color too, as they didn’t feel it suited
the Pontiac brand. And in certain lighting it
lacked luster (which is probably why your
editor asked me to take some action shots
in brighter light).To offset the blandness of the color,
some owners resorted to heavy buffing,
which damaged the paint, resulting in an
excess of warranty claims. Not surprisingly,
Pontiac execs tried to discontinue this
color option during the 1964 model year.
Dealers protested the move, though, and
the cancelation was reversed a month lat-
er, so this obscure hue was offered through
the end of the model year.
So what’s the big secret about Sunfire
Red? It’s rare and problematic, but prized by
Pontiac collectors. After all, who wouldn’t
want a Goat of a different color?