This group was formed in early October 2004 by a small circle of early GTO enthusiasts who have a passion for these cars. Our first meeting was in Rotorua followed closely by another in Taupo.
At both of these meetings it wasn't long before bonnets were up, bums bent over looking at engines, carbs, manifolds etc., and generally checking out each others cars.
It was fantastic to be with so many people with a passion for an old Japanese car and to see so many GTO's lined up!
The enthusiasm shone through with these following comments that were made on the days.
Excellent day.... WOW! GTO extravaganza - what a sight, what a day.... I am so impressed.... what a fantastic day.... had a great time meeting you all.... it has rekindled my passion for my GTO.... it was a great privilege to be part of the group.
The Galant GTO was introduced in Japan in 1970 and was based on the 1969 to 1972 Galant GS and 16L.
The models in 1970 were.... The M1 1600cc Saturn SOHC motor with 4 speed manual gearbox. The M2 1600cc Saturn SOHC The MR 1600cc Saturn DOHC. Yes that is twin cams! with a 5 speed gearbox. The 1970 models had a 3 piece grille, two piece tail lights and 3 slat side vents. Single stripe with no arrow. The MR GTO had an electric aerial, two bonnet air scoops and extra supports on the back suspension. The MR GTO was only for the domestic Japanese market.
The 1972 to 1973 models were - (These models had no balance shafts) The LS 2000cc Astron SOHC single carb automatic with electric windows! The GS 2000cc Astron SOHC twin carbs 5 speed. The GS-R 2000cc Astron SOHC twin carbs 5 speed, wider 185-13 tyres, seats with round buttons, flared guards and the back of the car painted black between the tail lights. The 1972 and 73 models had the one piece slats type grille and three piece tail lights.
The 1974 and 75 models had the honey-comb type grille that was similar looking to the 1973 Datsun 240k (skyline) grille. Some of the last GTO's got the Astron 80 Celeste type motor with balanced silent shafts. All the GTO models had the option in Japan of the 8-track tape type stereo that was placed under the radio behind the G blanking plate. The GTO was replaced in 1975 by the Celeste. In 1973 there was an experimental GTO called the R73X. It had a detuned 2000cc twin cam Formula One motor. The R73X never went into production.
In the history of the Japanese automobile industry, the Galant GTO was a masterpiece of styling whose influence is still felt today. Mr. Hiroaki Kamisago who was intimately involved in the development of this almost mythical car talks about the events leading up to its development.
In May of 1967 my company ordered me to go to America to study design for eight months at the Art Center College in Los Angeles, which was regarded as the top industrial design school in the world. During that time, I got a look at cutting edge specialty cars like the Mustang, the Firebird and the Cougar and I was convinced that this sense of styling would come to Japan as well.
When I returned to Japan, the GTO project was there waiting for me. With a long hood, flowing, beautiful side view proportions and a fast-back that ended in a cut-off ducktail, Mr. Kamisago drew up preliminary sketches of a car, the dynamic style of which had never been considered by Mitsubishi in the past. Kamisago's heart-felt design caught the attention of Mr. Makita, president of Mitsubishi at the time. Seeing the sketches, Makita ordered, "Make it ready for the Motor Show" and the unquestionable command signaled the start of GTO development. At the time, my own pet theories about sports car design was simple and clean cut, with four smaller round headlights and tail lamps that were set off individually.
I put these theories into practice with the GTO. Looking for aerodynamics, I designed a hipped-up tail with a waved line and raised the rear end to give it an even more dynamic image. Mitsubishi had a co-operative relationship with Chrysler at the time. Seeing a test production model of the car, Chryslers top managers suggested that using curved glass with a small curvature would add more space to the cabin. Following this advice, the GTO introduced the first 50-inch curved window to be used in a Japanese car. After a long journey, the GTO Galant was finally complete. Introduced at the Tokyo Motor Show as the Colt Galant GTX-1, the car was an immediate and unequivocal success. While cars normally took two years to move into production, Mitsubishi quickly implemented full operations and miraculously, the car was ready for the market just one year later in 1970. The car was sold under the name of Galant GTO.
The term GTO is an abbreviation for the Italian phrase.... Gran Turismo Omorogáta which means a car that has been formally approved as a GT car. Both youngsters and car enthusiasts alike were captivated by the cars styling and the Galant GTO was a tremendous hit.The success of the GTO opened new boundaries for Mitsubishi which used it as an opportunity to take a new step forward as an auto maker.
A53C Saturn 1600 4G32 sep.70-Aug.72
MI 5211
MII 16668
DOHC MR 835 22714
A55C Saturn 1700 4G35 Dec.71-Sep.75
XI(J) 3848
XII(GS) 11984
XII AT 310
XII-5 1
SL J2 111 (1973)
SL 2843 (1974)
SL J3 7833 (1975) 26930
A55C Saturn 1700 4G35 Sep.75-76
SL (US) 1
SL (NUS) 2426 2427
A57C Astron 2000 4G52 Dec.72-Dec74
R73 X 1
2000SL 3445
2000SL 7692
GS 8335 19473
GSR 6195 6195
A57C Astron 80 2000 4G52 Dec.74-Sep75
2000SL 4806 4806
GSR 6158 6158
C-A57C Astron 80 2000 Sep.75-77
2000SL 3054 3054
GSR 2295 2295
79404 14648(GSR) =94,052
This information came from another website so cannot guarantee it is correct.