# 4744 - 2013 First-Class Forever Stamp - Muscle Cars: 1966 Pontiac GTO
U.S. # 4744
2013 46¢ 1966 Pontiac GTO
Muscle Cars
America on the Move Series
In 1963, General Motors’ management issued a ban on the development of factory-sponsored racing vehicles. Three brash engineers working in GM’s Pontiac division wanted to appeal to the speed-hungry youth market. Working quietly, they found a loophole in GM’s policy and gave birth to the “muscle car” era.
At the time, most high performance cars featured big engines in full-size cars. The weight of the full-size cars made them slower to accelerate.
Chief engineer John DeLorean worked with engine specialist Russell Gee and chassis engineer Bill Collins to modify the company’s mid-size Tempest model. Offered as an option for an additional $269 in 1964, the package included a 389-cubic-inch V8 with a four-barrel carburetor, dual exhaust, and hood scoops. DeLorean named his creation the “GTO,” inspired by the Ferrari 250 Gran Turismo Omologato.
Based on strong sales, the GTO was unveiled as a separate model two years later. The 1966 GTO was restyled with kicked-up rear fender lines resembling a Coca-Cola bottle, louvered taillights, and a unique plastic grill. Not to be outdone, other car manufacturers soon flattered Pontiac by turning out close imitations – but fans of the “Goat” maintain there’s nothing even close to a ‘66 GTO.
Carl T. Herrman designed all five Muscle Car stamps, using the oil-on-hardboard paintings by artist Tom Fritz.
Value: 46¢ First-Class letter rate
Issued: February 22, 2013
First Day City: Daytona Beach, FL – at the Sprint Fanzone at the Daytona International Speedway
Type of Stamp: Commemorative
Printed by: Avery Dennison
Method: Photogravure printing in sheets of 200, in 10 panes of 20
Perforation: Serpentine Die Cut ¾
Self-Adhesive
Quantity Printed: 7,000,000 stamps
The 2013 Muscle Car stamps are the third set in the America on the Move series. The series began in 2005 with stamps picturing 1950s Sporty Cars and continued in 2008 with 1950s fins and chrome.
U.S. # 4744
2013 46¢ 1966 Pontiac GTO
Muscle Cars
America on the Move Series
In 1963, General Motors’ management issued a ban on the development of factory-sponsored racing vehicles. Three brash engineers working in GM’s Pontiac division wanted to appeal to the speed-hungry youth market. Working quietly, they found a loophole in GM’s policy and gave birth to the “muscle car” era.
At the time, most high performance cars featured big engines in full-size cars. The weight of the full-size cars made them slower to accelerate.
Chief engineer John DeLorean worked with engine specialist Russell Gee and chassis engineer Bill Collins to modify the company’s mid-size Tempest model. Offered as an option for an additional $269 in 1964, the package included a 389-cubic-inch V8 with a four-barrel carburetor, dual exhaust, and hood scoops. DeLorean named his creation the “GTO,” inspired by the Ferrari 250 Gran Turismo Omologato.
Based on strong sales, the GTO was unveiled as a separate model two years later. The 1966 GTO was restyled with kicked-up rear fender lines resembling a Coca-Cola bottle, louvered taillights, and a unique plastic grill. Not to be outdone, other car manufacturers soon flattered Pontiac by turning out close imitations – but fans of the “Goat” maintain there’s nothing even close to a ‘66 GTO.
Carl T. Herrman designed all five Muscle Car stamps, using the oil-on-hardboard paintings by artist Tom Fritz.
Value: 46¢ First-Class letter rate
Issued: February 22, 2013
First Day City: Daytona Beach, FL – at the Sprint Fanzone at the Daytona International Speedway
Type of Stamp: Commemorative
Printed by: Avery Dennison
Method: Photogravure printing in sheets of 200, in 10 panes of 20
Perforation: Serpentine Die Cut ¾
Self-Adhesive
Quantity Printed: 7,000,000 stamps
The 2013 Muscle Car stamps are the third set in the America on the Move series. The series began in 2005 with stamps picturing 1950s Sporty Cars and continued in 2008 with 1950s fins and chrome.