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.
In recent years, there was a tremendous amount of favorable press for the original launch of the Pontiac G6 and the subsequent arrival of the updated G8, both updates of the classic Pontiac performance car of bygone days.
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.
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. Such features as style, design, and image had no part in Ford's plant in 1927.
Fast forward to the 1970's when cars were now designed to project an image. 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.
The TransAm was a muscle car. It must be a small car with a stylish exterior and a big engine. The Trans Am met both criteria.
While it has a long cinema career, there are two films that stand out. Burt Reynolds talked a friend into driving the truck. Keeping Sheriff Justice occupied and distracting his attention away from the truck involved many car chases and mishaps.
Yet, these stunts were so rigorous that all of them were damaged during the shooting of the film.
It is rumored that, prior to the filming, a high level Pontiac executive offered Burt Reynolds a free Pontiac Firebird if the movie was a hit. However, when Reynolds went to collect his prize, the executive had retired and his replacement refused to honor the agreement.
The TransAM was featured in another film, Cannonball. His parole officer also happens to be his current girlfriend. 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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