END of PONTIAC

[FIREWALL]

GM just dumped their Pontiac line.


Anyone here ever own a 60's or 70's GTO or Firebird ?

Got any pics ?

[GoldenRivet]

I owned a 1997 Pontiac Firebird Formula from 1997 - 1999... then i repalced it with a 1999 WS6 Trans Am from 1999 - 2004.

i loved those cars. both had a problem with loosening exhaust flanges on the right side which would make a loud open header type sound when downshifting for deceleration. both were also plagued with pop up headlamp motor problems.

very sexy cars though!

i will never EVER forget that 1997 Silver Firebird Formula - pulling into senior prom and opening the door of the car to let my long legged - beauty queen of a girlfriend out of it - she wore a flashy silver sequin dress.

boy i miss her :nope:

the car too

growing up my dad had a GTO in the garage when i was between the ages of 6 and 7.

[FIREWALL]

A little Muscle Car Trivia.

What was the FIRST Muscle Car ?

[Schroeder]

Ford T-Model?:D

[AVGWarhawk]

Never owned a Pontiac. We were Buick fans until 1988. GM lost it's appeal and quaility.

[GoldenRivet]

according to google search... the 1949 Oldsmobile rocket 88 was arguably the first muscle car.

never heard of it.

but it bears a nice resemblance to the 1949 Cadillac my old man used to own.

sounds cliche - but i swear to god he purchased it from a little old lady who had owned it since new.

it had the original spare tire, and believe it or not a vehicle registration sticker on the windshield from 1950 (perhaps it was an inspection sticker) one or the other.

[FIREWALL]

Never owned a Pontiac. We were Buick fans until 1988. GM lost it's appeal and quaility.

The Buick Grand National was a killer machine.

[GoldenRivet]

The Buick Grand National was a killer machine.

yes.

but IMHO it lacked sex appeal

[FIREWALL]

This was recognized as the beginning of the Muscle Car era.

The 1964 Pontiac Lemans GTO.

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/5993/x1964pontiacgto.jpg

[AVGWarhawk]

yes.

but IMHO it lacked sex appeal


The Grand National was not sexy but it had some juice for a six banger and a turbo. :up: I liked the all black with black wheels...nice tinted windows...it was a mean looking car. We had a 78 Regal and 83 Regal. Both good cars....up to 1988....we gave up on GM and the unreliable money buckets.

[AVGWarhawk]

This is why Pontiac is in the crapper.....where is the excitment in this vehicle?

http://jalopnik.com/assets/resources/2007/06/pontiac_aztec.jpg

[FIREWALL]

This is why Pontiac is in the crapper.....where is the excitment in this vehicle?

http://jalopnik.com/assets/resources/2007/06/pontiac_aztec.jpg


I know it comes with a key. Just where do you WIND it up ? :har:

[AVGWarhawk]

This was their next mistake...GTO rehash. Looked nothing like the original. Ford/Chevy/Chysler made their modern version with definite throw back to the original muscle cars, ie Mustang etc. This GTO was nothing but the G6 with a big motor shoe-horned in. Nice idea to bring the GTO badge back...how about making it look somewhat like the original?

http://www.automedia.com/NewCarBuyersGuide/photos/2006/Pontiac/GTO/Coupe/2006_Pontiac_GTO_ext_1.jpg

[Bewolf]

This is why Pontiac is in the crapper.....where is the excitment in this vehicle?

http://jalopnik.com/assets/resources/2007/06/pontiac_aztec.jpg

That thing is butt ugly.

Seriously, the last 5 years saw an eventual emergence of old fashioned american design, manly, exiting, great, like in the 50/60ies and early 70ies, unlike the utter boredom that appeared the following decades. I fell in love with all the retro muscle cars, no matter how politicly uncorrect that maybe is. And cars like the Chrylser 300C had a style that could be called "massive" in a Gotham City way.

But, too little, too late and not up to world standarts.
It's a real shame by this once great and proud industry :nope:

[AVGWarhawk]

That thing is butt ugly.

Seriously, the last 5 years saw an eventual emergence of old fashioned american design, manly, exiting, great, like in the 50/60ies and early 70ies, unlike the utter boredom that appeared the following decades. I fell in love with all the retro muscle cars, no matter how politicly uncorrect that maybe is. And cars like the Chrylser 300C had a style that could be called "massive" in a Gotham City way.

But, too little, too late and not up to world standarts.
It's a real shame by this once great and proud industry :nope:

Exactly as noted in my GTO post. What a shame they did not throw back to the original GTO in the styling que. The mustangs looks like the old 66-70's. Sold like hotcakes. Dodge did it and now Chevy. I always laughed at Pontiacs, 'We build excitment!' I might have missed the boat on the excitment part.....Pontiac sure did.

[AVGWarhawk]

I will miss this sign. I remember seeing the sign around when I was a kid. Chiefton Pontiac.:cry:

http://www.completegamester.com/pages/AR-Signs/automobile/PONTIAC.jpg

[StdDev]

Exactly as noted in my GTO post. What a shame they did not throw back to the original GTO in the styling que. The mustangs looks like the old 66-70's. Sold like hotcakes. Dodge did it and now Chevy. I always laughed at Pontiacs, 'We build excitment!' I might have missed the boat on the excitment part.....Pontiac sure did.

The Bullit Mustang is based on the 64 stang...
Dodge did it right with the Challenger.. but didnt do it right with the Charger..
The New Camaro has very little "retro" as compared to the Ford and the Dodge...

As for "style".. Dodge takes it!... yeah there are faster cars.. but adding horsepower is cheap compared to adding "style"! http://www.challengertalk.com/forums/images/smilies/burnout.gif

[AVGWarhawk]

The Bullit Mustang is based on the 64 stang...
Dodge did it right with the Challenger.. but didnt do it right with the Charger..
The New Camaro has very little "retro" as compared to the Ford and the Dodge...

As for "style".. Dodge takes it!... yeah there are faster cars.. but adding horsepower is cheap compared to adding "style"! http://www.challengertalk.com/forums/images/smilies/burnout.gif

I was not sure of the exact year on the 'stang. I think the stang takes it over the Challenger:O:. The Camaro....has some styling que from the Camaro of old...still a cool looking care IMO:D

[FIREWALL]

Original Bullit > 1967 Mustang Fastback 390 cu in V-8\

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/6213/bullit.jpg

Video link of famous chase :http://videos.streetfire.net/video/Bullitt-Steve-McQueen-Car_160758.htm

[StdDev]

Original Bullit > 1967 Mustang Fastback 390 cu in V-8

Duuuhhh yer right... 64.5 was the 1st stang! ooops :D

Now.. repeat after me... MOPAR or No Car ! http://www.challengertalk.com/forums/images/smilies/burnout.gif

[Onkel Neal]

I had me one of these:
http://www.collectormotors.com/70rinocob/rino70.jpg

1970 Ford Torino Cobra

429 with a 850 Holley Double-pumper, Hooker headers, and 3.90:1 Traction-Lok. That was one hell of a car, would hit 140 with ease.

[AVGWarhawk]

I was close to getting a Torino. 351 though. Cool cars but I was not hep on the Ford transmissions in those days. GM's C3 and C4 trannys were the best. I ended with a 78 Buick Regal.

http://www.globalcar.com/img/17080601.jpg

[Max2147]

This was their next mistake...GTO rehash. Looked nothing like the original. Ford/Chevy/Chysler made their modern version with definite throw back to the original muscle cars, ie Mustang etc. This GTO was nothing but the G6 with a big motor shoe-horned in. Nice idea to bring the GTO badge back...how about making it look somewhat like the original?

http://www.automedia.com/NewCarBuyersGuide/photos/2006/Pontiac/GTO/Coupe/2006_Pontiac_GTO_ext_1.jpg
Bringing back the GTO badge: Good idea
Bringing the Holden Monaro (awesome car) to the US: Good idea
Combining the two: BAD IDEA!

Anyways, the future of the US auto industry isn't with GM, Chrysler, and Ford. It's with companies like Honda, Toyota, and Hyundai building cars in the US. If I'm not mistaken Toyota already builds more cars in the US than anybody else.

[Task Force]

Yea. I dont like the car designs now days... All the cars seem to look the same... Older cars had there distinct looks and look how long some of them have lasted.:yep:

I myself like the plymouth barracuda.:yep: (I also like the mustangs.) Edit. how could I forget the trans am.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWNc9-4ArCg :D

Too bad about Pontiac... they had some nice cars in the past.

[longam]

I always thought the late 90's Grand Prix GTX were sweet

http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/268/2281/25668640087_large.jpg

[TheBrauerHour]

I actually would like to agree with you about the Grand Prix. I liked them, until their very last iteration. Some of the 90's Grand Prix's did look very good. The 3.8 v6 was a very nice engine in those cars. My first car was a '79 Firebird with a 301v8. I loved that car.

[longam]

I actually would like to agree with you about the Grand Prix. I liked them, until their very last iteration. Some of the 90's Grand Prix's did look very good. The 3.8 v6 was a very nice engine in those cars. My first car was a '79 Firebird with a 301v8. I loved that car.

I remember my sisters 79, red with no bird, it wasn't a trans am model.

Yea the latest Grand Prix are sad, look more like a compact sedan.

[CaptainHaplo]

We had a 98 Grand Prix GTX - supercharged and as decked as they come. That car set us back 30k at the time. Had it for 8 years, had a oil change and radiator flush, let a local shop with a good rep do it because I didn't have the time. They flushed the motor hot - and blew the head gasket. Had it repaired and our oldest has it now.

I got more speeding tickets in that thing that I care to think about. She would run like a scalded dog, I tell ya. Fire engine red, open the sunroof, my girl in shorts and top, tanned and stylin. Nothing better.

One regret... I live in mountains so always had to buy a fairly hard tire so it wouldn't wear too quickly. I would SO have loved to put a set of Pirelli's on that car and really see what she would really do on some of these roads.....

[SUBMAN1]

GM is not too bright. The G8 might be the only GM car I'd might buy outside of a Cadi CTS-V. Instead, they keep the crappy lines (outside of Cadi of course) that are dying in sales because people are not really wanting an ugly POS.

And then they wonder why they aren't making it? Wake up call!

-S

[longam]

They got use to the profit from the SUV market and had no worries. :wah:

[Onkel Neal]

http://www.subsim.com/articles/torino.jpg

One more :D

[AVGWarhawk]

Bringing back the GTO badge: Good idea
Bringing the Holden Monaro (awesome car) to the US: Good idea
Combining the two: BAD IDEA!

Anyways, the future of the US auto industry isn't with GM, Chrysler, and Ford. It's with companies like Honda, Toyota, and Hyundai building cars in the US. If I'm not mistaken Toyota already builds more cars in the US than anybody else.

I think Ford will tow the line. The F150 is a good seller and always has been. It is the working man's work truck. Chevy just does not last. My late father-in-law Chevy pick-up...I replace the tranny twice. The gear bag just fell apart. The V6 was replace by me at 78000 miles. The ignition module...fried at 30000 miles. Just an awful truck. Currently I own two Ford products(Mercury Montaineer and Lincoln Continental) both have been excellent vehicles and I have my eyeball on a MKZ by Lincoln.

[AVGWarhawk]

This is what I had in college...NINE PASSENGER PORCHE! 1973 Buick Estate Wagon. Mine was all green....Urban Assault Vehicle:D 455-4 barrel Rochester carb. The fastest damned grocery getter in College Park MD. :D On thing I can say about GM...they shoe-horned in the biggest damned blocks they could build. Perfect college car....all my buds could ride to whatever destination of deceit we could find:up: The trouble we would cause in this vehicle was nuts. :O:



http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e172/Tennesseestorm/Misc%20car%20photos/73EstateWagonfront.jpg

[Rhodes]

The model that I like and would like to have it:

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/3166/pontiactransam141.jpg (http://img144.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pontiactransam141.jpg)
[/URL]

and like this also:

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/4320/kitt1.jpg (http://g.imageshack.us/img144/pontiactransam141.jpg/1/)
[URL="http://g.imageshack.us/img237/kitt1.jpg/1/"]

[AVGWarhawk]

How could we forget the Smokey and the Bandit Pontiac?

http://www.allmusclecars.com/pontiac/77tapfgleam.jpg

[FIREWALL]

1956 FIREBIRD II

http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/1360/53216844pri.jpg

[AVGWarhawk]

GM goes the way of AMC. Build cars like this and you got something:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/89/1968_AMC_Javelin_base_model_red-NJ.jpg

Then start building crap like this:


http://images.businessweek.com/ss/07/08/0824_uglycars/image/1pacer.jpg

The writing is on the wall.

[Max2147]

I think Ford will tow the line. The F150 is a good seller and always has been. It is the working man's work truck. Chevy just does not last. My late father-in-law Chevy pick-up...I replace the tranny twice. The gear bag just fell apart. The V6 was replace by me at 78000 miles. The ignition module...fried at 30000 miles. Just an awful truck. Currently I own two Ford products(Mercury Montaineer and Lincoln Continental) both have been excellent vehicles and I have my eyeball on a MKZ by Lincoln.
You're right, Ford might ride this out. They've got better products, a strong international division, and good leadership. They're still in a tough spot, but if any of the Big 3 will make it, it'll be Ford.

[FIREWALL]

The new T-Bird was a flop imo because they tried to offer a model\pricerange for everyone.

They should have offered only two.

High-end Luxury.

High-end sporty performance.


And lets not talk how they (FORD) dropped the ball with the Retractable Hardtop. 1957-1959

Mitsubishi , Mercedes and now Infinity act like they came up with the idea.

[AVGWarhawk]

The new T-Bird was a flop imo because they tried to offer a model\pricerange for everyone.

They should have offered only two.

High-end Luxury.

High-end sporty performance.


And lets not talk how they (FORD) dropped the ball with the Retractable Hardtop. 1957-1959

Mitsubishi , Mercedes and now Infinity act like they came up with the idea.


Yep, the Ford Fairlane retractable hardtop. I would take any car from the 50's. My favorite is the 58 Plymouth Fury.

[FIREWALL]

A little Mopar trivia for you all...

The Muscle Car that according to Peterson Publishing co. (HOTROD ,ect.ect.ect.) is the all time high ,worth the most money and 1 of only 3 in existence.

Hint : They have one. :yep: And it's Factory off the showroom floor. :DL

[AVGWarhawk]

I'm going to guess, Road Runner?

[longam]

http://image.highperformancepontiac.com/f/8829863/0606_hppp_05z+pontiac_grand_prix_ssj+brochure.jpg

70 Grand Prix SSJ - old school

[longam]

http://image.highperformancepontiac.com/f/14889569/hppp_0905_01_z+1967_pontiac_lemans_convertible+fro nt_view.jpg

And how could we forget the Lemans (67)

[FIREWALL]

A little Mopar trivia for you all...

The Muscle Car that according to Peterson Publishing co. (HOTROD ,ect.ect.ect.) is the all time high ,worth the most money and 1 of only 3 in existence.

Hint : They have one. :yep: And it's Factory off the showroom floor. :DL


1970 Triple black Plymouth Hemi Cuda Convertible 4spd with Every option available and 300 documented miles on it. $3.2 Million Dollars !!! as of 2yrs ago.:dead:

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/9807/70hemicuda.jpg

http://www.petersen.org/

[Digital_Trucker]

Had one of these once (the black one):



http://www.transamtech.com/pics/301turbo/transam-turbo-magadd1.jpg

Looked great, as long as it was sitting in the driveway. Won't miss Pontiac one bit (or GM, for that matter, when it finally dies).

[Task Force]

@firewall... I WANT ONE!!!:o

@Dt. thats also a nice car. the bottom one is the paint scheme they used in the movie "smokey and the bandit."

[Digital_Trucker]

@firewall... I WANT ONE!!!:o

@Dt. thats also a nice car. the bottom one is the paint scheme they used in the movie "smokey and the bandit."

Yep, that was the best thing about the car:D I once had a client, after an evening of sipping sake and talking business, tell me to "jump something" with it:har: I had a difficult time explaining to him that we'd be lucky to survive if I jumped a curb:D

[Task Force]

Yep, that was the best thing about the car:D I once had a client, after an evening of sipping sake and talking business, tell me to "jump something" with it:har: I had a difficult time explaining to him that we'd be lucky to survive if I jumped a curb:D

:rotfl: Wonder how many trans ams they went through makeing that movie.:rotfl:(and police cars...)

Alot of these nice cars also appeared in movies... like the barracuda in Phantasm

[Digital_Trucker]

:rotfl: Wonder how many trans ams they went through makeing that movie.:rotfl:(and police cars...)


According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smokey_and_the_bandit)

The movie made use of five black Trans Ams, and two Pontiac LeMans cars, all donated by Pontiac. All five cars were more or less destroyed by the end of shooting, with only one model of each car barely running by then, mostly due to cannibalizing the other three cars. Year One, an aftermarket auto parts supplier, has an original 1977 movie Trans Am autographed by Burt Reynolds. The 1977 trans am used in the movie traces back to a GM Design show car created for Bill Mitchell (VP of Design) for the 1974 GM Division Show Circuit. Bill liked the Lotus F1 race car "John Player Special" livery and used that Black and Gold paint scheme to create the car.

[Task Force]

Wow. thats alot of cars... wonder how many if they were made like they are today.:hmmm:

[Jimbuna]

Had one of these once (the black one):



I've got a black one too.....but nothing like that :O:

http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/3753/focusc.jpg (http://img111.imageshack.us/my.php?image=focusc.jpg)

[Digital_Trucker]

I've got a black one too.....but nothing like that :O:

http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/3753/focusc.jpg (http://img111.imageshack.us/my.php?image=focusc.jpg)

I bet yours gets better fuel mileage:D

[Jimbuna]

I bet yours gets better fuel mileage:D

I bet your right :DL

32mpg around town and 45ish on motorways.

[Digital_Trucker]

I bet your right :DL

32mpg around town and 45ish on motorways.

It's been too many years for me to remember what my "Smokey and the Bandit" look-alike got in miles per gallon, but I do remember being able to watch the fuel guage go down almost as fast as the speedometer went up:wah:

[Jimbuna]

It's been too many years for me to remember what my "Smokey and the Bandit" look-alike got in miles per gallon, but I do remember being able to watch the fuel guage go down almost as fast as the speedometer went up:wah:

LOL :DL