The Pontiac brand originated in 1907 as a product of the Oakland Car Company of Pontiac Michigan, founded by Edward Murphy. The company was acquired by General Motors in 1909 with the first Pontiac vehicle being introduced in 1926 dubbed the “Chief of the Sixes” as the car was powered by a 6 cylinder engine. The car was so successful at its debut at the New York auto show later that year that the decision was made to phase out the Oakland name in favor of Pontiac, an 18th century chief of the Ottawa Indians. Throughout the 30′ and 40’s, Pontiac manufactured a selection of coupes, sedans and wagons all at low to mid prices. The 50’s saw the introduction of the Bonneville, a stylish cruiser that catapulted Pontiacto immense popularity. The ’90s saw the launch of cars like the Sunfire and Montana minivan. Pontiac slowly lost sales however due to changing tastes and a lack of differentiation between its models and those of other GM divisions. In hopes of recapturing past glory, the division embarked on a plan to retire aged models and introduce all-new ones with distinctive styling and personality. So far, the effort seems to be working as recent models have finally begun to live up to the “driving excitement” promise, once again making Pontiac a brand worthy of consideration by many.
High Performance Pontiac Magazine Features
Introduced by General Motors in 1926, Pontiac has been offering automotive enthusiasts amazing cars for over 80 years. For decades the Pontiac was known to be quiet, smooth, and luxurious but not especially fast. Later years would change this perception when the era of muscle cars brought the GTO, Firebird, and others.
Quotes from Legislators Regarding Our Hobby – Part 2 Tuesday, 27 July 2010, 7:07 am
Check out what some of the guys in Washington are saying about the hobby we love so much.
Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX)
“I gained an interest in classic cars and motorsports while refurbishing my vintage truck, and a good friend of mine, Jack Chisenhall of Vintage Air-who helped me install my air conditioning unit and has also done work for stars like ZZ Top-urged me to get more involved. Automobiles and the open road are a unique part of our nation’s history and heritage. They remain treasured symbols of the freedoms we enjoy in America. Anything I can do to help preserve them for the future is important to me.”
Photo Gallery: Part 2 of Our Look at What Some Legislators in Washington Are Saying About the Car Hobby – High Performance Pontiac
High Performance Pontiac Magazine Features |
Quotes from Legislators Regarding Our Hobby – Part 1 Sunday, 25 July 2010, 7:07 am
Check out what some of the guys in Washington are saying about the hobby we love so much.
Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL)
“It started when I was just a child. We lived in California, and my Dad took me to races at a track in Encino. I loved it, and we had a great time together. I became involved in midget races at around the age of five. We would go to a track in Culver City and other places around Los Angeles. I started racing motorcycles at about the age of 13 or 14. By this time I knew I was a guy who really loved racing-it was in my blood. I bought my first car in 1962. It was a 1951 Ford flathead. Back then, you had to be 16 to race. I was only 15 and would sneak in and go a few laps before they stopped me. I have owned 20 or 30 race cars over the years. I’d get them, fix them up, and race them.
Photo Gallery: Part 1 of Our Look at What Some Legislators in Washington Are Saying About the Car Hobby – High Performance Pontiac
High Performance Pontiac Magazine Features |
From SEMA – Quotes Regarding Our Hobby From California Saturday, 24 July 2010, 7:07 am
Since California plays such a prominent roll in the hobby and smog legislation, we grouped the quotes from its legislators together in its own story.
Since California plays such a prominent roll in the hobby and smog legislation, we grouped the quotes from its legislators together in its own story.
Photo Gallery: Check Out What Some Legislators in California Are Saying About the Car Hobby – High Performance Pontiac
High Performance Pontiac Magazine Features |
1967 Pontiac GTO – It Stands For Gas, Tires, And Oil! Monday, 19 July 2010, 7:07 am
A Race Engine Builder Reaps The Rewards Of A Misspent Youth In A 20,377-Mile 400 H.O. Four-Speed ‘67 GTO
It seems that Bill Brunker was destined to become an engine builder and to own multiple ‘67 GTOs, as evidenced by the following story. The 46-year-old North Carolina-resident recently shared with us his most memorable exploit with his first Goat while growing up in Minnesota in the early ’80s.
Photo Gallery: 1967 Pontiac GTO – Bill Brunker – High Performance Pontiac Magazine
Photo Gallery: 1967 Pontiac GTO – Bill Brunker – High Performance Pontiac Magazine
High Performance Pontiac Magazine Features |
2002 Pontiac Firebird – One Of None Tuesday, 13 July 2010, 8:07 pm
Being in the right place at the right time is much more important than having a great idea at the wrong time. Unfortunately, a killer idea executed too late describes the story behind the star-crossed, Collector Edition Yellow-styled 2002 Pontiac Firebird seen here.
Timing, it is said, is everything. It’s true whether you bought Microsoft stock in the early ’80s or Enron stock last week. In other words, being in the right place at the right time is much more important than having a great idea at the wrong time. Unfortunately, a killer idea executed too late describes the story behind the star-crossed, Collector Edition Yellow-styled Firebird seen here.
Photo Gallery: 2002 Pontiac Firebird – Collector Edition – High Performance Pontiac Magazine
Photo Gallery: 2002 Pontiac Firebird – Collector Edition – High Performance Pontiac Magazine
High Performance Pontiac Magazine Features |
1958 Pontiac Chieftain Convertible – The Other Woman Friday, 25 June 2010, 7:06 am
Mel Peters’ ‘58 Tri-Power Chieftain Convertible Has Become His Second Wife, According To The First One
Since its birthday on February 13, 1958, this Chieftain has been a very special vehicle. For over 50 years, it has been part of the Peters’ family. Back in 1993, Mel acquired-as he puts it-WIFE2 (as his license plate states) from his ailing brother Raymond in Indiana who could no longer care for her properly. Seventeen years, countless cans of WD-40, and about $28,000 later, Mel has this beautiful and relatively rare piece of Pontiac history.
Photo Gallery: 1958 Pontiac Chieftain Convertible – Pontiac History – High Performance Pontiac Magazine
Photo Gallery: 1958 Pontiac Chieftain Convertible – Pontiac History – High Performance Pontiac Magazine
High Performance Pontiac Magazine Features |
1962 Pontiac Catalina – Bubblicious Friday, 25 June 2010, 6:06 am
Just because Pontiac didn’t make a ‘62 Bubbletop Catalina doesn’t mean it can’t be done.
For ‘61, Pontiac introduced American car buyers to a brand-new, sporty-looking hardtop featuring the third year of the Bubbletop, which it made available on its postless two-door Catalinas, Venturas, and Bonnevilles. For reasons attributed to GM Director of Styling Bill Mitchell’s desire to move GM brands to a new-for-the-’60s flat-roof, the ‘61 Pontiac Bubbletop was the last iteration that, in retrospect, is considered by many Poncho purists to be one of the most significant and awe-inspiring classic cars of all time.
Photo Gallery: 1962 Pontiac Catalina – GM Brands – High Performance Pontaic Magazine
Photo Gallery: 1962 Pontiac Catalina – GM Brands – High Performance Pontaic Magazine
2009 Pontiac Model Lineup
- 2009 Pontiac Vibe
- 2009 Pontiac Torrent
- 2009 Pontiac Solstice
- 2009 Pontiac Grand Prix
- 2009 Pontiac G6 Coupe
- 2009 Pontiac G6 Convertible
- 2009 Pontiac G8
- 2009 Pontiac G6
- 2009 Pontiac G5
