As the automobile itself has evolved from a Spartan frame with a hand crank to today’s sophisticated electronics, telematics, and alternative propulsion systems, certain models still stand out as milestones in that evolutionary process. Even before General Motors established the industry’s first full-time in-house design organization in 1927, its cars were setting the trend for others to follow. Since the company’s creation in 1908, it has developed literally thousands of different models of production vehicles around the world, and dozens of them are still considered classics and milestones in design, performance, and innovation. While every automotive historian and car club aficionado has his or her own idea of which production cars have had the most impact, all would agree that GM models over the past
hundred years have earned a prominent place on any list.

The following “Top 10” list of GM production vehicles is just a sampling of the hundreds of GM cars which set design and technology trends across the globe — a proud heritage which lives on today. Everyone who has ever owned a car or truck has a favorite model that stands out from all others. So, which ones would be on your own list? And which ones would you add to your own “Top 10” list of vehicles that stand out from the rest of the pack? This list was initially developed by GM archivists and historians and then reviewed by GM senior leaders. The list of the vehicles is in chronological order.

#2
1964 Pontiac GTO: The First “Muscle” Car
High-performance cars have always been cool, but the Pontiac GTO made them cool to a whole new generation and created a whole new market segment. Before the GTO made its debut, “performance cars” were generally full-size cars powered by the largest displacement engines available. The idea behind the 1964 GTO was to put such an engine in a midsize car to deliver even more power and performance. The first GTO was actually a Pontiac Tempest with a standard 389 cubic inch V-8 engine that delivered 325 horsepower. The GTO also featured 14-inch wheels, a firmer suspension, hood scoops, dual exhaust, and sporty trim. It all added up to the birth of what came to be known as the “muscle” car era. Pontiac’s original plan was to build just 5,000 GTOs for the 1964 model year: it ended up selling more than 32,000 that first year alone and many dealers had to put customers on waiting lists. The GTO quickly became a pop legend, featured in films and television action series and in the classic rock song, “Little GTO,” performed by Ronnie & the Daytonas, which sold more than a million records.