2005 Pontiac GTO With a Custom Body Kit and Performance Mods

Today we’re featuring one of the coolest muscle cars of the 2000s which is currently experiencing a 2nd rebirth on the market of used cars – the 5th gen Pontiac GTO.

Unlike the Mustang and Corvette models, it doesn’t have that brutal in-your-face design, its body lines are soft, rounded, well proportioned yet muscular at the same time. While the car features a lot of common design elements of a 2000s Pontiac, there is definitely something outlandish in its appearance, and there is a reason for that…

Australian Origin

Despite being sold under the American iconic nameplate, the vehicle was actually designed and produced by the Australian division of General Motors and imported to the US just like many other Japanese and European sports cars.

“Despite being sold under the American iconic nameplate, the vehicle was actually designed and produced by the Australian division of General Motors and imported to the US”

The latest 5th generation GTO returned to the market in 2003 and remained in production until 2006 with a small upgrade in 2005. The GM took a rather unusual move, and imported the Australian designed Holden Commodore coupe, and started to sell it under the GTO nameplate. Thanks to the powerful LS V8 and impressive performance characteristics it became pretty popular on the American market back in the 2000s.

“Thanks to the powerful LS V8 and impressive performance characteristics it became pretty popular on the American market back in the 2000s.”

LS1 and LS2 Engines

The car was equipped with GM’s famous LS1 and LS2 V8 engines with 5.7L and 6.0L displacement respectively, which were mated to a 4-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission.

While exterior modifications aren’t that popular among the current GTO owners, the majority of them are concentrated on performance mods to bump up the HP and torque gains of these cars.

GTO Heritage

Even though a Pontiac GTO model remained in production for less than 15 years in total throughout five generations it became one of the most well-known nameplates in the history of American muscle cars.

The first 4 generations of the model were produced in the golden era of American muscles from 1963 until 1974 when the oil crisis struck world economics and marked the end of production for high-performance V8 GTO models.

“Even though Pontiac GTO models remained in production for less than 15 years in total throughout five generations it became one of the most well-known nameplates in the history of American muscle cars.”

The Build

This white 2005 Pontiac GTO with a fighter jet-inspired shark print is owned and modified by Everett Patterson. The stock output of the LS2 V8 is relatively easy to improve, so he decided not to settle with stock and the long modification process has begun.

“The stock output of the LS2 V8 is relatively easy to improve, so he decided not to settle with stock and the long modification process has begun.”

Stage 1

At stage 1, the car was tuned, cammed, equipped with long tube headers, electric cutouts, one-piece driveshaft, performance cold air intake, upgraded tranny, upgraded stall, and many other things. He has gutted the catalytic converters, removed the resonators, installed an X-pipe and Borla performance mufflers. A Supercharger is planned for the stage 2 of the build.

Custom Body Kit

Unlike the majority of the GTO builds that remain stock from the outside, the owner decided to improve the visual appeal of his ride.

Instead of choosing an extreme widebody kit, Everett chose to install a set of DIY aftermarket side skirts, splitters, and fender flares that look like a complete set of model-specific add-ons and naturally blend in with the original body lines of the GTO.

The car sits close to the ground on a slightly lowered suspension with 255/40R17 tires.

List of Modifications

Performance

• Engine: LS2 V8 (tuned)
• Camshaft upgrade
• Long tube headers
• Electric cutouts
• One-piece driveshaft
• Performance cold air intake
• Upgraded transmission
• Upgraded stall converter
• Removed catalytic converters
• Removed resonators
• X-pipe installation
• Borla performance mufflers

Suspension

• Lowered suspension setup

Wheels/Tires

• 255/40R17 tires

Exterior

• Custom DIY side skirts
• Custom splitters
• Custom fender flares
• Fighter jet-inspired shark print (paint/wrap)

Conclusion

Built for speed, this GTO maxes out at 8.5 points in Performance with its full exhaust system and beefed-up drivetrain. The exterior setup earns 4 points, while suspension sits at 3 – keeping things simple with a clean drop.

The owner ditched the usual “leave-it-stock” GTO approach and crafted his own body kit. Those custom fender flares, side skirts, and splitters? Pure DIY genius that flows perfectly with the car’s muscular lines, making this Aussie-born Pontiac stand out without screaming for attention.

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