How many GTO & GTR,s

[hitech_dave]

Having become a recent new owner of a GTO thanks to Mike Anderson and now in full restoration mode, does anyone
how many GTO & GTR's were made I have see various numbers but what is the last know serial number?

Dave.

[whitegto]

Hi Dave, from another Aussie GTO owner.  Somewhere between 500 to  1000 from what i understand. I believe Rockford Motors initially ordered 500 and then later another 500 but its unclear if GTRs were in the second order. But who knows, not many.....      John

[paul]

500 units? Rockford did NOT plan to make any money?

[farmerdl]

Hi Dave,

  Probably somewhere around ten thousand from what I've heard.  Of the 350s that I have, the two highest serial numbers are 9663 and 9730.  Those two probably came to the states in the last shipment.  I'm certain that there are people on this site that can give more definitive numbers and if I've heard, and remember correctly, Rockford Motors did assemble some here in the states after production stopped.  I don't know if those would have continued with the same type of sn or if there was some differentiation.  I sure somone can tell you.

DL

[moonpup]

Some info from another thread......

http://bridgestonemotorcycleparts.com/index.php?topic=152.0

[whitegto]

Sorry guys, i was referring to GTOs produced, not 350s in total.   John

[moonpup]

Ok, so here's the info I referred to earlier.

"In Conversations with Kotaro I have had the understanding that only 1000 Gold 1970 and approx. 500 white 1971 GtO'S where produced.
Letter 1
As I know, The gold GTO was first version made in only November and December 1969.In November 645, and in December 355 was production number.All early GTO is light gold with Chrome fuel tank with small seat logo in silver.Bridgestone made this new model for the request from Rockford motors.And then in 1970 November Bridgestone made it again in their factory, they also changed color and logo design to update for 1970's fashion( GTR: gold and black stripe GTO: peral white and black stripe with Big logo in white) Please let me know your GTO's frame number.It should help to identify it to recover as correct version. Thank you, Kotaro
Letter 2
As far as my research, Bridgestone made GTO early model in November & December 1969, totally 1,000 only 2 months.Bridegstone started to product GTR from June 1967 to July 1968, totally 6782 then stopped to product 350cc linetill November 1969, 15 months then worked again to product early GTO.Again, Bridgestone stopped to product 350cc line till September 1970, 9 months then they started to product last lot of 350cctill March 1971, totally 1,000.I think this is the final production order from Rockford.I do not know how is the rate of GTR:GTO for this time.I just suggested later GTR:GTO = 500:500How do you think about this figure? I suggested total number of GTO is 1,500 around. Thank you, Kotaro"

Now based on this information, it sounds like the red & chrome GTR’s stopped in mid 1968 and that was the last of the GTR’s till the gold tank/black decal models were ‘introduced” in 1971. That would suggest to me that there were no 1969 350’s in either model and only the gold & chrome GTO model was available in 1970 when it was introduced. Does this sound right?  Did the red & chrome GTR’s go missing for 2 years?

[CL-100]

I've always understood the GTO production to be for two years only, but I can't figure out the one in this link below.  Notice the seat covering and turn signals.  Any thoughts?

You may have to copy and paste the link into your web bar.



http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1967-bridgestone-350-gto1.htm

[moonpup]

cl100... I've seen that before and I've always chalked it up to publishers/authors not doing proper fact checking.

Just look at who is getting credit for this article......

"1967 Bridgestone 350 GTO
by the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide"

Who are these people and how much do you trust their accuracy?

[CL-100]

I agree with the source material being questionable but was wondering about the blue paint and the turn signals.

[moonpup]

I agree with the source material being questionable but was wondering about the blue paint and the turn signals.

My understanding on the turn signals/winkers (for our overseas friends  ) is that they were never standard equipment on the 350's, but were either a dealer option or an aftermarket item.

As far as the blue paint goes, I've seen blue bikes listed for sale by the original owners that state they are totally 100 percent original. However, the only factory info I've seen states that gold & sequoia green were the only color options available for the 1970 GTO's.

As of yet, I've never seen a green one! 

[CL-100]

Never knew about a green option for the '70' GTO.  I learn something new here all the time.  Thanks.

The picture in the link I posted also showed a different looking seat cover.  I suppose they could have "renewed" the bike with different paint, seat cover, etc. 

[BS Mechanic]

That bike has had an interesting life. 
The seat has been restitched, grafting in a smooth vinyl center piece to replace a worn/torn original.  The color is a repaint, no 350's I am aware of were ever delivered in blue.  Notice the big red kill switch on the right handlebar?  Came of some other bike, not BS. Even the rear view mirror is an aftermarket item, big ugly clamp and all. Who knows what year it might be, certainly not the author!!