
Pontiac . . .
What is Pontiac?
Pontiac is an automobile brand that was created in 1926 by General Motors. Pontiac was the brainchild of GM executive Alfred P. Sloan, who wanted to create a more affordable car to compete in the mid-priced market. Pontiac vehicles quickly became popular for their performance, style, and affordability. For more than 80 years, Pontiac vehicles were produced and sold around the world. The brand was discontinued in 2010, but its legacy lives on in the hearts of Pontiac enthusiasts.
History of Pontiac
Pontiac was introduced in 1926 as part of General Motors’ new Oakland brand. The car was designed to compete with Ford’s Model T, but with a larger engine and body. It was an instant success, with more than 500,000 Pontiacs sold in its first four years. The brand continued to grow throughout the 1930s and 1940s, introducing more powerful models such as the Streamliner and the Torpedo.
In the 1950s, Pontiac introduced the Star Chief, which was the first car in the U.S. to offer a V8 engine. This car quickly became the flagship of the Pontiac line and was popular among drag racers and hot rodders. In the 1960s, Pontiac released the popular GTO and Firebird models, which further cemented Pontiac as a performance-oriented brand.
The 1970s and 1980s saw Pontiac focus more on luxury and style. The Grand Prix and Bonneville were two of the most popular cars of the era. Pontiac also released the Fiero and the Trans Am, both of which were popular with performance enthusiasts.
The 1990s and 2000s saw Pontiac focus on SUVs and minivans, but the brand still had some performance cars, such as the Grand Prix GTP and the Firebird Trans Am. Unfortunately, the brand was discontinued in 2010 as GM sought to streamline its operations.
Notable Models
Pontiac had a wide range of vehicles over its 80-year history. Some of the most notable models are:
• The Streamliner (1930s): Pontiac’s first high-performance car, the Streamliner featured a powerful V8 engine and an aerodynamic body.
• The Star Chief (1950s): The Star Chief was the first car in the U.S. to offer a V8 engine and became the flagship of the Pontiac line.
• The GTO (1960s): The GTO was one of the most popular muscle cars of the 1960s and is still popular with collectors today.
• The Fiero (1980s): The Fiero was a two-seater sports car with a mid-mounted engine. It was one of Pontiac’s most popular models of the era.
• The Grand Prix GTP (1990s): The Grand Prix GTP was a high-performance sedan that was powered by a supercharged V6 engine.
• The Firebird Trans Am (2000s): The Firebird Trans Am was the last performance car produced by Pontiac. It was a powerful V8-powered sports car that was popular with performance enthusiasts.
People Also Ask
What cars did Pontiac make?
Pontiac made a wide range of vehicles over its 80-year history. Some of the most popular models include the Streamliner, Star Chief, GTO, Fiero, Grand Prix GTP, and Firebird Trans Am.
When did Pontiac stop making cars?
Pontiac stopped making cars in 2010 as part of General Motors’ restructuring. The brand was discontinued after more than 80 years of production.
What was Pontiac’s most popular car?
Pontiac’s most popular car was the GTO, which was introduced in the 1960s. The GTO was a powerful muscle car that was popular with performance enthusiasts.