Pontiac was a bit different than the other “makes” in GM’s lineup. Most of the others, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Buick, and Cadillac, were pre-existing car companies that were acquired by GM. In the 20′s, GM’s management was convinced that there was too large a price difference between their makes, so they created the concept of “companion makes.” These brands would theoretically fill the gaps between the then existing makes (Chevrolet, Oakland, Oldsmobile, Buick, and Cadillac), making GM tons of cash.
The results were not so good, unless you remember Viking, Marquette, or LaSalle. However, Pontiac was positioned between Chevrolet and it’s parent make, Oakland. GM moved Oakland up market, and created a V-8 for that line. It ended up not working all that well. It stunk, as a matter of fact. That, combined with the depression, made Pontiac’s sales hold steady, while Oakland tanked. So, when the companion makes were killed off, Oakland landed in the scrapheap along with them (Though LaSalle did make it into the 40′s). So, enjoy the links, and the great Pontiacs.
Cubachi has an article covering Freedom Watch.
Steve at America’s Watchtower, has a post on the illegals released from DHS custody.
Down Under on the Right Side proclaims that “we have no government.”
Karen is “begging the question.”
Pontiac’s original logo was an Indian head. On models like the Chieftain, the Indian head hood ornament would be lighted.
Free or Bound has the latest on Islam’s attack on America.
Innominatus has a great little viral email to share.
Just a Conservative Girl has a post about Barney Frank, and Fannies and Freddie.
King Shamus has a great post on what we will need to do in after November.
Here is a 1951 Chieftain.
Manhattan Infidel is progressing in his plan to take over the Earth.
Scratcher has a post on the Ground Zero Mosque.
Maggie is discussing Hillary’s claim that Pakistan’s flooding is due to AGW.
Of course, no collection of Pontiacs would be complete without a GTO. Here is a ’66.
Harrison has a post about Islamophobia.
Randy has a pic that will have you laughing.
Right Klik has the next Ten Buck Fridays Poll.
Reaganite Republican has his regular Sunday Funnies!
While the first generation Camaros garnered most of the attention, Pontiac offered a potent Firebird on the same platform.
Start Thinking Right has more on the polling about Obama’s religion.
Teresa has more on the mosque.
Bob, at Camp of the Saints, has some great Rule 5, and the The Fisking of the Shrew.
The Conservative Lady has more on Iran’s weapons programs and the worst case scenario.
John, at The Current, has a linky post.
The T/A exhibited muscle through it’s run. Here is an ’85.
The Political Commentator has a post on Iran’s nuclear program.
The Totus has a post on Obama’s religion.
Angel has another post on the Ground Zero Mosque.
Who can forget the much maligned, but brisk selling Pontiac Fiero.
The Robot has a post about Ten Buck Fridays.
Steve, at Motor City Times, has a post about some shenanigans over at the EPA.
Wyblog has the fact that he still has a job.
The Classic Liberal has another police brutality case.
The Grand Prix spent many years being Pontiac’s halo car. Here is a ’67.
Doug has a pic of the coolest chopper in teh world!
Bunni has the best Blago coverage on the Internet.
Have you joined the Resistance?
The 73-77 Grand Prix’s were heavy, and got terrible mileage, but they sold very well.
No collection is complete without the Bandit.
OK, I know that someone is going to comment and say, “you left out the Catalina,” or some other model, so make your suggestions, and I’ll find them for ya!
Update: Don wants the 1980 version of the Bandit. Here it is.
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Thanks for the link my friend.
You’re quite welcome, John.
Back in ’85 when I turned 16 I bought a ’69 Camaro which I had up until a few years ago (stop me if I’ve commented about this before…) When I was a senior it was the fastest car in my high school. But when I was a junior, there was this *(&W#$ German exchange kid named Uwe that had a Firebird w/ a 455 that pretty much made me look like a chump. Thankfully he had to go back to Europe my senior year so I pretty much ruled the place after he was gone.
And that Golden Goat looks AMAZING.
You hadn’t commented about that before. Great story. Those SD 455 T/A’s were FAST! I am jealous of the fact that you had a ’69 Camaro. What engine did ya have?
When I bought it, it had a pretty stout 350. But being a teenage moron, that motor didn’t live long. It was going to need a lot of machine work to get it back together (that I couldn’t afford on grocery clerk wages) so I found a running 327 to plop in it. Then I put the Edelbrock Torker intake and WAY too big of a cam in the 327, making it fairly fast but kind of a pain to drive in traffic. Eventually the 327 pooped out, too. So I stuck a stock 350 out of a Suburban in it, just to keep it mobile. Then I took a job that required a commute and money was getting tight so I sold it to get something more fuel friendly.
The guy who bought it is into restoring old Chevs but has too many “projects” going at any given time that none of them ever seem to get finished. He has a gnarly 427 ready to drop in, but I dunno when he’ll ever get around to it.
A 427 in that Camaro would be wicked. Even if in ’60′s tune, it’s a monster. If he’s doing a modern crate motor. I’ll be unreal.
It’s a modern motor but painted factory orange with stock looking air cleaner, valve covers, etc. He says he’s gonna tell people it is just a boring old 396 and then embarrass them when the light goes green.
wowza MATT..awesome roundup and the cars..woohoo!..thanks for including me..how kind!:)
You’re welcome Angel!
Matt, thank you so very much! I saw golf courses at John’s and classic autos here. Such a great idea.
I like a variety of topics. Cars is a big one. So I found a way to write about them on a Conservative blog.
I had two Firebirds a Grand Prix, and built a 400 4bbl with my friend for his GTO clone.
The demise of the great Pontiac brand was one of the saddest cultural developments of 2010… and that’s saying something.
Tellingly, when wanting a small car in the mid 80s, my loyalty had my drive the J2000. Once I compared it to a VW, I was was in German cars for 20 yrs- the Pontiac was complete POS, and drove like it. After downsizing, they just got worse and worse.
Thanks for the memories, Matt
I had actually done a post on Pontiac’s demise. It made me hate the gubbmint motors takeover all the more.
The J2000? That was the Cavalier clone, wasn’t it? The downsizing waves at GM did make for some crappy, compromised cars.
I do have to say that I have a 2005 GP, and it’s a great car. Quick, handles well, good economy for it’s size, and no problems after five years.
Hi Matt! Thanks for adding me to your great roundup.
Those were very kind words, “the best Blago coverage on
the internet”, you are sweet.
I love all the cool car pics. They are so much cooler than all the weinne hybrids and electric cars they are pushing now days. Have a fun week.
I second what Bunni wrote about the cars.
Thanks for the linkage.
Thanks Bob, I enjoyed the Fisking of the Shrew.
Damn nice cars those. Thanks for the link back by the way, much appreciated.
No problem. I love the cars, so any excuse I can find to post about them…
I’m a Buick fan myself, but who doesn’t love a good Pontiac? I really like the Bandit T/A’s, both from the first movie and the second. How about a pic of a Bandit T/A from the second movie? It was a 1980, I think – had the four individual headlight openings.
My first Buick was a ’71 Skylark California Coupe, which basically meant it didn’t have the vinyl hard top. It was pretty fast for a Skylark; of course in my heart it was a GS! =D