02SilverStroke
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General Motors Pontiac (1926-2010) was born to the parentage of Oakland Motorcar Line and Pontiac Spring and Wagon Works. At an early age, Pontiac was adopted by the General Motors Company and was designed as a six-cylinder affordable line of vehicles, to compete with the many four-cylinder vehicles being produced. Pontiac's mission in life started early as a performance vehicle. In the first year, the Pontiac, nicknamed Chief sold over 76000 vehicles, making it the #1 selling six-cylinder and #7 overall, a huge feat for a youngster. At age 23, Pontiac was completely redesigned after serving in World War II. Continuing with its Native American theme, the Pontiac line-up became known as Chieftain in 1949. The next transformation for the young Pontiac came at age 29, when in 1955 all Pontiacs came with V8 engines, further enhancing Pontiac as the performance brand of parent, General Motors. Just two years later, Pontiac gave birth to the Bonneville, a wildly popular model although pricey at the time at around $5800. Bonneville was chosen as the pace car for the 1958 Indianapolis 500, and out of that Pontiac had another child-the Catalina-born in 1959.
Through the 1960s and 1970s, Pontiac sired many iconic brands such as Lemans, GTO, and Firebird. Lesser known children included Tempest, Astre, and Phoenix, children designed to help Americans get better fuel economy in the wake of gas shortages. The 1980s brought back Pontiac as the performance division that was to bring excitement back to General Motors. Fiero was born in 1984 but turned out to be one of Pontiac's most disappointing children. The 1990s brought even more performance-oriented products like the 275-horse Trans Am which had much content from sister Corvette. But it was clear Pontiac was getting tired. Now over 70-years old, Pontiac was beginning to slow down, although throughout this decade, there was no hint of permanent retirement. The new Millennium of 2000 brought much hope to Pontiac with many new children born in this decade, but none of them were wildly productive, including one child who had special needs, the Aztek. New family members G3, G5, G6, and G8 all tried to bring excitement back to Pontiac but it was not to be.
Pontiac was near the end of its life, and when his parents General Motors passed away during bankruptcy in 2009, Pontiac passed shortly thereafter. Pontiac was preceded in death by parents, General Motors and siblings Oldsmobile, Saturn, Hummer, and Saab. Pontiac is survived by four siblings: Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, and GMC.A memorial service will be held at former Pontiac dealerships all over the United States.
Through the 1960s and 1970s, Pontiac sired many iconic brands such as Lemans, GTO, and Firebird. Lesser known children included Tempest, Astre, and Phoenix, children designed to help Americans get better fuel economy in the wake of gas shortages. The 1980s brought back Pontiac as the performance division that was to bring excitement back to General Motors. Fiero was born in 1984 but turned out to be one of Pontiac's most disappointing children. The 1990s brought even more performance-oriented products like the 275-horse Trans Am which had much content from sister Corvette. But it was clear Pontiac was getting tired. Now over 70-years old, Pontiac was beginning to slow down, although throughout this decade, there was no hint of permanent retirement. The new Millennium of 2000 brought much hope to Pontiac with many new children born in this decade, but none of them were wildly productive, including one child who had special needs, the Aztek. New family members G3, G5, G6, and G8 all tried to bring excitement back to Pontiac but it was not to be.
Pontiac was near the end of its life, and when his parents General Motors passed away during bankruptcy in 2009, Pontiac passed shortly thereafter. Pontiac was preceded in death by parents, General Motors and siblings Oldsmobile, Saturn, Hummer, and Saab. Pontiac is survived by four siblings: Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac, and GMC.A memorial service will be held at former Pontiac dealerships all over the United States.
