? for Pontiac lovers?

Question

Do you feel that Pontiac quit making cars after the move to the "corporate engine"?
Should a Canadian Pontiac Beaumont with the factory 396 be considered a Pontiac?
How about classic Pontiacs that have been swapped out to a chevy motor?
Are the New Pontiacs really Pontiacs?

Answer 1

Yes is do feel the same way. Not long ago i took my 14 year old son to a Tomahawk (POCI) chapter meeting and was ask to introduce my boy, i did so and Jr. added he will own my '77 T/A S/E (show car only) in three years.
I was then asked If I'd buy a new GTO and my reply was "No I am not buying some corporate crap!", half-breed car.

Now on to the other part of your question. The Beaumont is a Pontiac, it's in the book "75 years of Pontiac Oakland" and I have seen a few from time to time at the POCI National Conventions.
As far as those owner of Pontiac's with a BBC (or SBC) in the bay they are real HALF-BREED autos!
At the drag-strip I pay no attention, car shows, I don't even vote for them.
(77)

Answer 2

The nameplate has gone through some tough times. I love the old Poncho engines, but they weren't perfect. For instance, that stupid bolt that holds the water pump to the intake manifold can be a real PITA!

My '67 GTO has some real character, but my '05 GTO runs like nobody's business!

But am I proud of the '86 Bonneville my niece drives? No way! What a piece of crap, even when they were new. It was an insult to put the Bonneville nameplate on a G body in the first place...

On that Beaumont with a 396 - I would LOVE to have one of those! Classic Pontiacs with a Chevy swap, not so much. The thing about the Beaumont is it was a Chevelle that was Pontified, not a Pontiac that was 'shabbied' (my daughter used to call them Shabbies).

Lastly, it's hard to say the new Solstice isn't hitting the heart of what Pontiac should be, and the next G8 is another step in the right direction (I hope).

Here's a chronological list of all the Pontiacs I've owned in my life:

64 GTO Convert
67 GTO Convert
73 Grand Am 400 4bbl
75 Lemans 350 2bbl
77 Lemans 231 V6, 3 on the tree
81 Trans Am (NASCAR/DAYTONA/RECARO Edition)
75 Grandville 2 door 455 4bbl
87 Sunbird
90 Bonneville
02 Grand Am GT
04 Bonneville
05 GTO

Does this qualify me as a Pontiac lover?

Answer 3

I think pontiacs were great cars. If its a pontiac made after 79, I think gm across the board. The new GTO was a big dissappointment. I'd buy a Grand Am first. Nothing about the new GTO resembles the origionals. As far as the Beaumonts, I'd own one just cause they are far an few between. Only ever seen one in person.

I'd still own a new Pontiac before I'd a chevy or ford. But only a true Pontiac has a turquoise block.

Answer 4

I love old cars in general, specifically muscle cars. on that note here's my opinion. After the switch to corp. engines Pontiac lost its identity, now I know there are some great cars(trans-am,can-am,formulas) that came out of the factory, but face it unless you build one of these other cars up they just aren't that exciting.Your Canadian Pontiac sounds cool just for the fact its different. Hell yeah I'd drive it....HARD! Classics that have been switched? it will always offend a purist, but it's your car, build it the way you want and enjoy. Personally I like a stock example of a factory hot rod, but I still like to see any old poncho on the road, even if its powered by a Chevy. New Pontiac's? Well I'm sure some are fun to drive, especially the GTO, T/A, and Solistice, but I view new cars as transportation. Classics are for enjoyment. Example, if you live in a snow state, which car are you going to put on a sloppy snow and salt covered road, Your gold 67 goat with Hurst rims or your new goat that's been hopped up and probably can smoke that beautiful 67? If your an enthusiast your going to say neither, but fact remains we still have to get from point A to point B. As long as you take pride in your ride I'll still see an old Pontiac on the road and that's all that matters.

Answer 5

what's a storage with bare partitions and superb automobiles? uninteresting! How some superb duplicate print of a GTO or different Pontiac magazine advert. There are places accessible that take unique magazine commercials from some time past, and change them into extensive posters. yet another theory would be a funky Pontiac sign for the storage. There are some neat ones with neon lighting fixtures, and others that are reproductions from the dealership warning signs.

Answer 6

today Pontiac cars are not true Pontiacs It was in the late 70s GM let Chevy build the main motors for Pontiac buick olds...
If you have a classic Pontiac and you put a true chevy motor in it you not a Pontiac lover,but thats my opinon.Also chevy can go fly a kite too........

Answer 7

If it has an arrowhead on the front, it's a Pontiac.
Just because GM is using many of the same parts between different brands doesn't mean it's not a Poncho.