If you were at Disneyland on June 16, 1966 for Grad Nite, you could have been the winner of America's #1 Automobile, the Pontiac GTO. To save you from scratching your heads, "GTO" is the Italian abbreviation for Gran Turismo Omologato ("Grand Tourer Homologated") which means officially certified for racing in the Grand tourer class.
For all you gear heads out there, here's a closeup of the car:
And for you vintage sign geeks, a closeup of the Grad Nite decal on the side of the car?
The prize drawing was held at 3:45 a.m. at the Prize Headquarters, the 20,000 Leagues Exhibit in Tomorrowland. The winner had exactly 20 minutes to claim the prize, or they'd lose it to another entrant.
Where were you in '66?
See more Daveland vintage & current Disneyland Railroad photos at my main website.
I've always liked GTO's but I couldn't drive in 1966. I also like the floral Mickey in that style.
ReplyDeleteBut I was always told GTO stood for Gas, Tires and Oil since you would be spending a lot of your cash on those items. :)
I seem to remember sometime in Spring of 1976 seeing new floor models (cars) on display in Tomorrowland in front of "America Sings" carousel theater. I think it was an American Motors promotion and/or giveaway. Can anyone else confirm that?
ReplyDeleteNot still in HS in '66 -- almost out of college then and spending lots of time on the Sunset Strip going to clubs to listen to music and working on the Hollywood Palace in the talent coordinators office. Oh and I was driving a spanking new candy apple red Mustang in '66 -- and living in Nichols Cyn - though I had really 'arrived' in the world 'bout that time.
ReplyDeleteI was a Senior in High School! This was supposed to be my Grad Night!!!! But I didn't go :( My best friend and I bought the tickets and we were going together but with the provision that if we got dates, then we would go with said date. She did get a date and I didn't. I was too young and unsure of myself to go by myself - something I have always regretted. Instead my mother and I went to see the re-release of Mary Poppins. Many, many years later my friend and I reconnected and she told me the date wasn't very good and she always regretted not going with me! So if I had gone, I would have seen this car.
ReplyDeleteAs for where I was in '66, it would be the 1st grade.
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I were married in '66, and still are. Really liked the GTO then, and even more now.
ReplyDeleteI was four...and in Denison, Tx....I wonder if I won?
ReplyDeleteCool car. I don't remember any car events in or around Disneyland, so this is enlightening.
ReplyDelete1966, I was on the farm...
JG