Why are Pontiac GTO's called "Goats"?

Question

It's just something I always wondered.

Answer 1

"What's In A Name, You Ask?"

"Although the Pontiac GTO's existence was borne of original thinking, its name was not. The GTO moniker was "borrowed" from Ferrari, which had a short production run (40) of sports racing cars of the same name starting in 1962. GTO in that case stood for "Gran Turismo Omologato" the english translation of which is "Grand Touring Homologated", a fancy way of saying that it was approved for certain classes of international sports car racing. Controversy over the name theft continues today, with many insisting that the Pontiac owners deserved more original thinking. Jokesters of the time claimed that GTO stood for "Gas, Tires, Oil", all of which both the Pontiac and the Ferrari used in large quantities. Fans and owners of the Pontiac GTO proudly call their favorite car a "Goat" and label their meetings as a "Gathering of the Goats."


"I've heard that Omologato can also be Italian slang for goat. Thus Pontiac GTOs are sometimes called goats."

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Answer 2

The GTO was affectionately called the "GOAT" by the people on the street. Using the Letters GTO and turning them around to make GOT (with a 'long' O). PMD used the "Tiger" theme through '66. In '67 GM officials didn't like that theme any longer and in '67, the GTO became "The Great One", again by changing the letters around to TGO. I've had several Goats and a couple Tigers, my garage is the only place I've seen Tigers and Goats get along.

Answer 3

Gto Goat

Answer 4

Hi, its just car lingo......everybody always makes up names for cars.....especially something similar to the moniker or name of the car. GTO is "Goat" probably only because it has those letters in the word. GTO is actually short for Gran Turismo Omlegato or something like that......, me and my friends always referred to them as Gas, Tires, &Oil...because if i had a GTO, i'd be using all that!! Lots of silly names for cars out there.....Fiat.....Fix It Again Tony, Ford, Found On Road Dead,or Fu***d Over Rebuilt Dodge...Dodge, Dead Old Dog Going to Eat, Chevy, Can Hear Every Valve Yelling, Mopar, Many Obsolete Parts Arranged Rediculously, and the most famous if not insulting Pontiac.....Poor Old Nig*** Thinks Its A Cadillac!! Then you have other names, Rustangs, FireChickens, BM's ThunderChickens, Ponies, and the like. I suspect all names which have negative reflection on a car were created while the car was being fixed by the owner or mechanic. Also brings to mind Postitive names for cars...Ford....First On Race Day!!! Thats the way i understand it!!

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Why are Pontiac GTO's called "Goats"?
It's just something I always wondered.

Answer 6

Just like real goats eat anything and everything, the GOAT (GTO) will also "eat" (beat) anything on the street.
Sure do wish I'd kept my 65 Tri-power.

Answer 7

Goat Car

Answer 8

The letters are backwards that all + it's eisier to say,just like my Corvette,i simply call it my Vette.Yeah us humans are really getting fukin lazy,lol hey have a safe and blessed Cristmas,oh yeah were so dam lazy we white xmas lol.

Answer 9

For the same reason they call them the vette, stang, cuda and bird. It's easier to say.

Answer 10

Greatest of all time