Pontiac Models Old and New Leave Great Memories

Pontiac is arguably the best all around car that General Motors ever produced. Although, it is fair to say that the Cadillac and to some extent the Buick were more readily identified as luxury automobiles, the Pontiac has always been far more than a performance machine.

To the younger generation, the Firebird and its performance cousin the Trans Am are probably the models most readily identified with the brand, but Pontiac dealers (of those that remain!) can certainly testify to the early, glory days of the GTO.

This classic line-up of models from Firebird, Trans AM, GTO, Bonneville to Catalina were all best-sellers in their day, and the earlier models like the Chieftain with it's classic Indian (native American) head logo American classics in an earlier era were equally popular before the later Pontiacs that we still see on the street today.

There is no doubt, though, that an underlying theme of these cars from then to now has been performance.

And it is certainly lamentable that General Motors pulled the plug on the entire Pontiac brand before the general public could become more aware and knowledgeable about these significant new entrants into the Pontiac family, and before their true sales potential could be reached.

The loving restoration of classic Pontiacs from the past and present will no doubt grow in popularity and cult status once new models are no longer rolling off the assembly lines.

While General Motors may have pulled the plug on the brand, Pontiac can live on forever through our memories, which are now all the more poignant knowing the clock is ticking on this classic car brand.

When Henry Ford first started manufacturing automobiles, the idea was to produce a car that would transport people from one place to another, be easy to maintain and be affordable by working people. Prior to Ford's era, cars were luxury toys for the rich and famous. Ford's cars were utilitarian.

And car manufacturers advertised to the image.

America has always been a youth oriented society. And from the days of the frontier, individual freedom has always been prized in America. So the Pontiac Firebird TransAm projected both images - young and free.

While the definition of muscle car is somewhat ambiguous, it is generally accepted that a muscle car has two basic requirements. It must be a small car with a stylish exterior and a big engine. The Trans Am met both criteria.

The Firebird also flew into the movies. On the way, Reynolds picked up a runaway bride whose intended groom to be was the simple-minded son of local Sheriff Justice. Both the son and the Sheriff started after Reynolds. Keeping Sheriff Justice occupied and distracting his attention away from the truck involved many car chases and mishaps.

Five black TransAms were modified to perform the stunt jobs required by the script. Yet, these stunts were so rigorous that all of them were damaged during the shooting of the film.

But Reynolds did purchase a TransAm.

In order to win the prize money, Carradine decides to drive in the Trans-American Grand Prix, a cross-country race that runs from Los Angeles to New York City. Caroline's girlfriend and parole officer tries to dissuade him. But he talks her into accompanying him and they take off in his red TransAM.

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