Internet Project by Eda Tandoğan: Global Brands>Pontiac / General Motors

PONTIAC The Pontiac brand was introduced by General Motors in 1926 as the companion marque to GM's Oakland division, and shared the GM A platform. Purchased by General Motors in 1909, Oakland continued to produce modestly priced automobiles until 1931, when it was renamed Pontiac. In the hierarchy of GM's five divisions, it slotted above Chevrolet, but below Oldsmobile, Buick, and Cadillac.

The name Pontiac comes from both the city where the car was originally produced and the Ottawa chief who is perhaps best known for his namesake battle, Pontiac’s War. In 1763, Pontiac led a 300-man army against British soldiers who were stationed in Fort Detroit. The chief and members of several tribes in the Great Lakes Region were angered at British rule in that area after the French and Indian War. The war had ended with Britain’s victory over France, which netted the Brits quite a bit of land in the Upper Peninsula.

There were a number of other sieges over the year, including the Battle of Bloody Run. Pontiac’s actions also contributed to the Proclamation of 1763 which helped define certain areas west of the Appalachian Mountains as Indian reserves.

The city of Pontiac, Michigan was named after the Indian chief. General Motors set up shop there in the early twentieth century and began manufacturing some of their most notable automobiles in the city, blessing their companion marque brand with the name of the city and the famous Indian chief.

Pontiac produced cars offering 40 hp (30 kW; 41 PS), 186.7 cu in (3.1 L) (3.25x3.75 in, 82.5x95mm) L-head straight-six cylinder engines in the Pontiac Chief of 1927. The Chief sold 39,000 units within six months of its appearance at the 1926 New York Auto Salon, hitting 76,742 at 12 months. The next year, it became the top-selling six in the U.S., ranking seventh in overall sales.

In 1933 The Oakland Motor Car Company was reorganized into The Pontiac Motor Co. Pontiac debuted an in line eight cylinder engine rated at 85 horsepower and selling for less than $600.00.

1933 Pontiac Two Door Sedan

Frank Hershey became Pontiac's lead designer in 1931, and Pontiac gained its own design studio within General Motors. 1933 Pontiac production included a two-four passenger roadster, two passenger Coupe, two-four passenger Sport Coupe, Convertible, four passenger Touring Sedan, four door sedan and a two door sedan. All equipped with the straight eight cylinder engine.

1934 Pontiac Four Door Sedan

Styling in the early 1930s followed industry trends which were boxy and undistinguished. The well styled 1934 Eight completely turned Pontiac around after slow sales during the depression years. Sales went from 45,000 units in 1932 to over over 90,000 in 1934. The 1934 models shown above were some of the prettiest medium priced American Automobiles of the 1930s.

After two years of nothing but eight cylinder automobiles, Pontiac reinstated new larger six cylinder engines for 1935 and 1936. The new 208 cubic inch sixes for 1935 were just a bigger bore version of the old 200 cubic inch sixes equipped in early Pontiac's. Surprisingly it made only four fewer horsepower than the straight eight. Standard sixes cost about $100.00 less than a comparable eight cylinder.

Models in 1935 included the 701-A Deluxe, 701-B Standard Six and the 605 Eight. Models in 1936 included the 6BA Deluxe Six, 6BB Master Six and 8BA Deluxe Eight. Coupes, two and four door Sedans, Touring Sedans, Sport Coupes and a Cabriolet were produced in 1935.

New Styling in 1937 and 1938 for Pontiac was based on the trimmer General Motors "B" Body. A new line of larger Deluxe Sixes and Eights had a longer wheelbase, better proportions and a racy reshaped nose. Sales in 1938 were almost 100,000 units. Coupes, two and four door Sedans, Touring Sedans, Sport Coupes, Convertible, and Cabriolet. In 1937, for the first time a Station Wagon was produced.

In 1936, 1937, 1938 and 1939 Pontiac gained added distinction with it's "Silver Streak" trim. The Silver Streak trim was a bright metal band running forward from the cowl, over the hood and down the front of the radiator. The Silver Streak made Pontiac unmistakable and would continue doing just that for the next 20 years.

1939 Pontiac production reached 144,000 units.

Pontiac retained sixth place in total production behind Chevrolet, Ford, Plymouth, Buick and Dodge. By 1940 Depression gloom was lifting and the American Automobile industries was

gearing up for anticipated war production.

In 1940 Pontiac series expanded to Special and DeLuxe Six Cylinder automobiles and Deluxe and Torpedo Eights. Each series listed four passenger coupes and four door sedans. Two door Sedans and Business Coupes were produced in the Special and DeLuxe models. Production also included DeLuxe Cabriolet Convertibles and a Special Station Wagon. New for 1940 were the sleek Torpedo Coupe and Sedans.

Another restyling in 1941 gave Pontiacs higher, wider crisper well designed fenders. Silver Streak trim and near full width horizontal bar grille with a slight center bulge were new for 1941. 1941 Series were reduced to four, a six and eight Streamliner and Torpedo. After record sales of over 330,000 units in 1941, styling again followed General Motors trends.

1941 Pontiac Torpedo - The Deluxe, The Streamliner and The Custom

Due to World War II and the needs of the United States armed forces, Pontiac stopped production in 1943, 1944 and 1945. Instead Pontiac production consisted of anti-aircraft guns, Torpedo's, cannons, diesel engines, tanks and trucks.

Like most other makes, Pontiac issued warmed over 1942 models for 1946, 1947 and 1948.

However stylist made each succeeding version a little different. The 1946 Pontiac's had a big bell shaped grille of vertical and horizontal bars. The grille was simplified for 1947 then became larger in 1948. So the 1946, 1947 and 1948 Pontiac were entirely prewar in design and specifications.

1946, 1947 and 1948 was a time of prosperity for Pontiac. Sales were 137,640 units in 1946, 230,600 in 1947 and 235,419 in 1948. But the big news for 1948 was the introduction of the Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. Our troops were back and they were buying lots of American Automobiles.

General Motors first postwar redesign was their 1949 automobiles. All new A bodies on a 130 inch wheelbase were attractively styled under Harley Earl direction. Chieftains and Streamliners equipped with six and eight cylinder engines. Fastbacks, Notchback, four door Wagons, Business Coupes, Club Coupes and convertibles were produced in 1949. All were available in standard or deluxe trim.

Postwar inflation pushed up prices in 1949 but volume rose to nearly 305,000 units.

1950 Pontaic total production amounted to about 450,000 units smashing pre-war records.

Pontiac production ran in fifth place behind Chevrolet, Ford, Plymouth, Buick and Dodge. It would remain there until 1959 but the Korean War lowered 1951 production to about 370,000 automobiles.

Nearly 30 different models were produced in 1950 & 1951. However the most noticeable changes were increases in six and eight cylinder engine horsepower.

A new grille, new DeLuxe side trim and increased horsepower were the main changes to the 1952 Pontiac. Material shortages due to the Korean War restricted all American Automobile production. Pontiac output was only 271,000 units. Major body changes took place in the 1953 Pontiac including stretching the wheelbase by two inches. The 1953 Pontiac's were shinier, larger had a lower grille, larger bumpers, kicked up rear fenders and a one piece windshield.

The new Chieftain was just a preview of Pontiac's to come in the 1950s and 1960s.

1953 Pontiac Chieftain Eight Deluxe Convertible 1954 brought a minor face lift of the 1953 major changes. Side molding had some changes but the grille was of a new design. The big news for 1954 was the new plush Star Chief and its price, $2300.00 to $2600.00. Total production of the 1954 Pontiac was down to 288,000 units. General Motors decided it was time for another major change in 1955 and the all new 55 Pontiac's were exactly that.

The 1955 Pontiac like the 1955 Chevrolet had over 100 new features including a modern overhead valve V-8 engine called the "Strato Streak". The Strato Streak was related to Chevy's 1955 Turbo Fire. Like all 1955 GM automobiles the 55 Pontiac was quite trendy especially the with its new panoramic windshield and bright colors. A total of 554,000 Pontiac's were built in 1955.

Styling was less distinctive on the 1956 Pontiac Chieftains and Star Chiefs. However, the new Chieftains and Star Chiefs four door hardtops were simply stunning. The 1956 Pontiac V8 was now up to 317 cubic inch. Production was 405,500 units for 1956.

1956 In July of 1956, Semon E. Knudsen was hired to redesign the 1957 Pontiac. General Motors managers were not to happy with the overall design coming up for 1957. Knudsen made some minor changes like longer rear springs, 14 inch wheels and tires instead of 15 inch, increased engine size to 347 cubic inch, horsepower to 290. Styling changes included doing away with two toning paint to missile shaped body side areas. The biggest change Knudsen made was to banish the Silver Streak trim his father, Bill Knudsen designed years earlier.

Where Knudsen really made his mark was the Bonneville. The Bonneville was a flashy Star Chief based convertible that debut in mid-1957. The Bonneville became a regular series in 1958 with 12,240 convertibles and hardtop coupes sold. Unlike some 1958 GM automobiles, Pontiac remained reasonably tasteful. Example was the 1958 Chevrolet. Changes included a simple mesh grille, quad headlights and larger side spears. A larger 370 cubic inch V-8 developed 240 and 285 horsepower. With triple carburetors these new engines developed 300 horsepower and with fuel injection 310 horsepower. Expansive new styling didn't help Pontiac sales in 1958 due to a national recession sales were only 217,000 units.

1958 Bonneville 1959 produced great styling on a new body for Pontiac. New features included a new split grille, modest twin fins on rear fenders, new side trim and a new wide track chassis that improved the ride. Pontiac V-8s were again enlarged in 1959. Horsepower ranged from 245 to 345. Total sale reached 383,000 units boosting Pontiac into fourth place for the first time in its history. The 1959 Pontiac were not just "Startling New" as claimed by their advertising. However, it did established the performance Pontiac Muscle Cars of the 1960s.

1959 Bonneville

The 1961 models were similarly reworked. The split grille returned, as well as all-new bodies and a new design of a perimeter-frame chassis for all its full-sized models. These new chassis allowed for reduced weight and smaller body sizes. The similarly styled Chevrolet still used the radically different "X" frame in the early 1960s.

A complete departure in 1961, though, was the new Tempest, one of the three Buick-OldsPontiac (BOP) "compacts" introduced that year, the others being the Buick Special and Skylark and Oldsmobile F-85 and Cutlass. Toward the end of the 1961 model year, an upscale version of the Tempest called the LeMans was introduced, named after the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans auto race in France. The Tempest won the Motor Trend "Car of the Year" award in 1961—for Pontiac, the second time in three years. The Tempest's popularity helped move Pontiac into third place among American car brands in 1962, a position Pontiac would hold through 1970.

1961 Pontiac Tempest For 1964, the Tempest and LeMans' transaxle design was dropped and the cars were redesigned under GM's new A-body platform - frame cars with a conventional front-engined, rear-wheel drive layout. The most important of these is the GTO, short for "Gran Turismo Omologato," the Italian for "Grand Touring, Homologated" used by Ferrari as a badge to announce a car's official qualification for racing. In spite of a GM unwritten edict against engines larger than 330 Ci in intermediate cars, DeLorean (with support from Jim Wangers from Pontiac's ad agency), came up with the idea to offer the GTO as an option package that included a 389 Ci engine rated at 325 or 348 horsepower (260 kW).

Due to the popularity of the GTO option, it was split from being an option on the Tempest LeMans series to become the separate GTO series. On the technology front, 1966 saw the introduction of a completely new overhead camshaft 6-cylinder engine in the Tempest, and in an industry first, plastic grilles were used on several models.

1966 Pontiac GTO Hardtop Coupe 389 The 1967 model year saw the introduction for the Pontiac Firebird pony car, a variant of the Chevrolet Camaro that was the brand's answer to the hot-selling Ford Mustang. Intermediate sized cars (Tempest, LeMans, GTO) were mildly face-lifted but all full size cars and GTO lost their Tri-Power engine option though it did get a larger 400 cubic-inch V8 that replaced the previous 389. Full-sized cars got a major facelift with rounder wasp-waisted body lines, a name change for the mid-line series from Star Chief to Executive and a one-year-only Grand Prix convertible.

For 1969, Pontiac moved the Grand Prix from the full-sized lineup into a G-body model of its own based on the A-body intermediate four-door modified from 116 inches to 118 inches wheelbase chassis, but with distinctive styling and long hood/short deck proportions to create yet another niche product – the intermediate-sized personal-luxury car that offered the luxury and styling of the higher priced personal cars such as the Buick Riviera and Ford Thunderbird and the old Grand Prix and Olds Starfire but for a much lower price tag. The new Grand Prix was such a sales success in 1969 as dealers moved 112,000 units - more than four times the number of Grand Prixs sold in 1968.

The 1969 Firebirds received a heavy facelift but otherwise continued much the same as the original 1967 model. It was the final year for the overhead cam six-cylinder engine in Firebirds and intermediates, and the Firebird convertible (until 1991).

1969 Pontiac GTO convertible

1969 Pontiac Firebird

Increasing insurance and fuel costs for owners coupled with looming federal emissions and safety regulations would eventually put an end to the unrestricted, powerful engines of the 1960s. Safety, luxury, and economy would become the new watch-words of this decade. Engine performance began declining in 1971 when GM issued a corporate edict mandating that all engines be capable of using lower-octane unleaded gasoline, which led to dramatic drops in compression ratios, along with performance and fuel economy. This, coupled with trying to build cars as plush as GM's more luxurious Buicks and Oldsmobiles, contributed to the start of a slow decline of Pontiac in 1971.

For 1973, Pontiac restyled its personal-luxury Grand Prix, mid-sized LeMans and compact Ventura models and introduced the all-new Grand Am as part of the LeMans line. All other models including the big cars and Firebirds received only minor updates. Again, power dropped across all engines as more emissions requirements came into effect.

1973 Pontiac Grand Am For 1975, Pontiac introduced the new sub-compact Astre, a version of the Chevrolet Vega. This was the brand's entry into the fuel economy segment of the market.

Astre had been sold exclusively in Canada from 1973. It was offered through the 1977 model year. 1975 would also see the end of Pontiac convertibles

for the next decade.

The 1976 models were the last of the traditional American large cars powered by mostly big block V8 engines. After this year, all GM models would go through "downsizing" and shrink in length, width, weight and available engine size.

The remainder of the 1970s and the early 1980s saw the continued rise of luxury, safety and economy as the key selling points in Pontiac products. Wire-spoked wheel covers returned for the first time since the 1930s. More station wagons than ever were being offered. Padded vinyl roofs were options on almost every model. Rear-wheel drive began its slow demise with the introduction of the first front-wheel drive Pontiac, the 1980 Phoenix (a version of the Chevrolet Citation).

Introduced in 1982, the wedge shaped Firebird was the first major redesign of the venerable pony car since 1970. Partly due to the hugely successful NBC television series Knight Rider, it was an instant success and provided Pontiac with a foundation on which to build successively more performance oriented models over the next decade. The Trans Am also set a production aerodynamic mark of .32 cd.

1982 PONTIAC FIREBIRD TRANS AM Next, the 1984 Fiero came. This was a major departure from anything Pontiac had produced in the past. A two-seat, mid-engined coupe, the Fiero was targeted straight at the same market that Semon Knudsen had been aiming for in the late 1950s: the young, affluent buyer who wanted sporting performance at a reasonable price. The Fiero was also an instant success and was partially responsible for Pontiac seeing its first increase in sales in four years.

1985 Fiero Sport Coupe The 1990 model year saw the launch of Pontiac's first minivan and light truck, the Trans Sport. In addition, the Grand Prix line added its first ever 4-door model, offered in LE and STE trims. At the end of the 1991 model year, the 6000 was discontinued in favor of the newly expanded Grand Prix line up and the new Trans Sport minivan, which replaced the 6000 station wagon. In 1992, a brand-new Bonneville was introduced. This full-size model featured aerodynamic styling, large expanses of curved glass, front-wheel drive, and the 3800 Series I V6 as standard equipment.

Year

Sales

1989

801,600

1990

636,390

1991

518,598

1992

519,925

1993

533,776

1994

577,022

1995

589,192

1996

479,973

1997

563,897

1996 was the last year for the 5thgeneration Grand Prix. The Grand Prix debuted in 1997 with the "Wider is Better" advertising campaign.

A mid-1990s Grand Prix

The 1999 model year saw the replacement of the Trans Sport with the larger Montana minivan.

An early-2000s Montana minivan In 2000, the Bonneville got its first major redesign since 1992 and was based on the G-Body, shared with the Oldsmobile Aurora and Buick LeSabre. In 2001 Pontiac introduced the polarizing proto-crossover Aztek. In 2002, both the Firebird/Trans Am and Camaro were discontinued as a result of declining sales and a saturated sport market. The coupe version of the Grand Prix was also discontinued.

2004 saw the reintroduction of the Pontiac GTO (based on the Australian-developed Holden Monaro). The GTO was also initially powered by the 350 HP LS-1 V8 in its first model year. It had an independent front and rear suspension and an upscale full leather interior. Sales did not reach the 18,000 units that GM predicted.

Pontiac went through a complete product revamping through this period. The Grand Am was replaced with the mid-size G6 in 2004. The Grand Am coupe was produced for the 2005 model year to fill the gap until the new G6 coupe and convertible became available for the 2006 model

year. The Bonneville ended production in 2005 after nearly 50 years of production. Although it was not directly replaced, the RWD G8 introduced for the 2009 model year did fill some of the market void.

2006 GTO (LS2 V8 version) The Solstice concept shown in 2002 was approved for production as a roadster (2006-2009) and, for a few months, a hard-top coupe (2009), which is considered to be quite rare, as a total of only 1,266 coupes made it off the assembly line in Wilmington, DE before it was shut down due to the demise of Pontiac. This is in stark contrast to the over 64,000 Solstice Convertibles that were manufactured on that same line. The controversial and slow-selling Aztek was finally phased out and replaced by the Torrent, which was identical to the Chevrolet Equinox.

2006 Pontiac Solstice In 2008, the Grand Prix ended production and the launch of the Australian-built RWD G8 commenced. The G8 gained positive reception for its high performance and low costs. Many noted the G8 as the poor man's BMW M5, due to similar performance at a much cheaper price.

The G8 GXP was the most powerful production car Pontiac had ever built, and is widely regarded as the best driver's car ever to wear the Pontiac badge. The Holden Ute was scheduled to be launched as the G8 ST before it was cancelled in January 2009 due to GM's financial situation. It was later announced that the G8 may not see a second generation.Towards the end of the decade many rumors began spreading that Pontiac would become completely reliant on RWD. Reports ranged from a compact sedan based on the Alpha platform to a new RWD G6 for the 2013 model year. Many reports suggested that the Trans Am/Firebird would return after GM confirmed the rebirth of the Camaro, however, no reports confirmed this.

Pontiac G8 On December 2, 2008, General Motors announced that it was considering eliminating numerous brands, including Pontiac, in order to appease congress in hope of receiving a $25 billion loan.

On February 17, 2009, GM proposed the elimination of its Saturn division, the sale of Saab, and either the sale or elimination of Hummer, depending on whether a buyer could be found quickly. GM clarified that Pontiac would have begun to focus on "niche" models aimed at the "youthful and sporty" segment, but did not provide specifics. Pontiac was to trim its number of models to four, although there was talk of retaining only one model. By April 2009 several

automotive websites and business publications were reporting that GM was doing a study suggesting it might eliminate the brand altogether, along with sister truck brand GMC.

On April 23 a report was published stating the company would be dropping the Pontiac brand while preserving the GMC truck line, and the Chevrolet, Cadillac, and Buick brands. The decision to eliminate Pontiac was made primarily due to the increasing threat of a bankruptcy filing if the June 1 deadline could not be met. On April 27, 2009, GM announced that Pontiac would be dropped and that all of its remaining models would be phased out by the end of 2010. Though both production and franchise agreements ended in 2010, Pontiac remains a registered and active trademark of GM. General Motors would eliminate an additional 7,000 to 8,000 factory jobs in the United States and shed 2,600 dealers by 2010 under a revised business plan. GM Chief Executive Officer Fritz Henderson said the Pontiac brand would be closed by 2010, calling it an “extremely personal decision”. In addition to speeding up decisions on Saturn, Saab and Hummer, GM would be left with four brands—Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac.

The last Pontiac, a white 2010 model year G6 4 door sedan, was built at the Orion Township Assembly Line in January 2010.

The G6 was the last Pontiac manufactured by General Motors Pontiac became the second brand General Motors had eliminated in six years. Oldsmobile met the same fate in 2004 after being more slowly phased out over four years. Pontiac also became the ninth North American automobile brand since 1987 to be phased out, after Merkur, Mercury, Passport, Asüna, Geo, Plymouth, American Motors (AMC) (renamed Eagle in 1988, and phased out in 1999), and Oldsmobile.

Style trademarks and logo A Native American headdress was used as a logo until 1956. This was updated to the Native American red arrowhead design for 1957 in all usage except the high-beam indicator lamp, which retained the original logo through 1970. The arrowhead logo is also known as the Dart.

Besides the logo, another identifying feature of Pontiacs were their "Silver Streaks"—one or more narrow strips of stainless steel which extended from the grille down the center of the hood. Eventually they extended from the rear window to the rear bumper as well, and finally; along the tops of the fins. Although initially a single band, this stylistic trademark doubled to two for 1955-1956. The Streaks were discontinued the same year as the Indian Head emblems (1957).

One long-familiar styling element was the split-grille design which was introduced in 1959 to complement the make's new "wide track" stance. The 1960 models, however, reverted to the full-width grille styling. The split-grille then returned for the 1961 model year and would remain as the marque's trademark. Other styling cues were the pointed "arrowhead" nose (in the 1960s and 1970s), and "grilled-over" (in the 1960s), or multiple horizontal-striped taillights.

American Indian headdress and silver streak in a 1952 Pontiac Chieftain

Split grille and arrowhead logo in a 1966 Pontiac GTO

Sources • https://www.american-automobiles.com/Pontiac-1950-1959.html • https://www.american-automobiles.com/Pontiac-1940-1949.html • https://www.american-automobiles.com/Pontiac-1933-1939.html • http://storm.oldcarmanualproject.com/ • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac • https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pontiac-Ottawa-chief • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_(Ottawa_leader) • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RMrVtk101Q