Pontiac GTO – the most beautiful muscle car?

The Pontiac GTO can achieve a quarter mile sprint in 14.5 seconds and a 0-60mph sprint in 6.1 seconds

And then the Pontiac GTO came into Ashley Boyce’s life, and her love for Yankee horsepower moved up a gear. She explains all in her first article for Auto Trader.

Sitting down for an evening with Vin Diesel and his action blockbuster xXx, I could never have known my love of cars would be changed forever.

The 1967 Pontiac GTO doesn't feature heavily in the film, but when it does it owns the screen.

The film was directed by Rob 'The Fast and the Furious' Cohen, who knows a thing or two about filming cars, and the GTO looked simply stunning in celluloid.

Not every example has been modified by Agent Shavers, Vin Diesel’s tech guy in the film.

He kitted out the '67 GTO with gadgets such as an ejectable roof, concealed stinger missiles, parachutes installed in the seats and even some exploding hubcaps – enough to put any of James Bond's Aston Martins to shame!

Although the car is stunning, driving one can be an assault on the senses. Those who've been lucky enough to drive on say the ride is far from the smoothest.

But the sound of the gargantuan 6.6-litre V8 engine makes any flaw on this car blissfully irrelevant compared to the driving experience. Different versions of this engine were available, offering standard power ranging from 255 to 360bhp – but many owners made some heavy tweaks for fast runs on the drag strip.

Its rear wheel drive layout means there's no end to the driving fun. Dukes of Hazzard-style tail-out action is more or less guaranteed if you push the GTO – affectionately known as the Goat – too hard. One false move and the GTO resumes command, and just as likely into the nearest ditch. Backwards.

Original buyers could specify a ram air intake to force cold air into the engine, or a four-barrel carburettor; both music to the ears of any hardcore muscle loving petrolhead.

This is by no means a tame sports car and although the figures don’t scream "I’m the fastest" the performance is pretty impressive. A factory example can achieve a quarter mile sprint in 14.5 seconds and a 0-60mph sprint in 6.1 seconds. But with a bit of spannering under the bonnet, and these figures will drop nicely.

So if your looking for something to satisfy in a way that others just cant, look no further than the love in my life, the Pontiac GTO!

A pristine model can set you back £24,000, or if you want a DIY project then you’re looking at about £3,400 upwards and lots of spare cash for parts.

With 81,722 sold you have a good chance of finding one for you.

Although if you fancy GTO thrills without the spills, why not check out a Vauxhall Monaro. The Aussie muscle car is badged as a Pontiac GTO in America, and offers similar tail-happy thrills.