SlashGear

It has been almost 15 years since General Motors made the decision to shutdown Pontiac. In 2009 the company was facing a monumental bankruptcy and needed to make severe operational cuts across the board in order to shore up finances. Consequently the effort to salvage the company through restructuring came at the expense of one of the most legendary and innovative brands in American automotive history. Yet a quick glance at Pontiac's work in more recent decades shows that the brand's demise may have already been written on the wall well before GM had to slash its way through a financial catastrophe.

5 Of The Most Hated Pontiac Models Ever Made

A bit Batmobile and a bit KITT, the star of the TV series Knight Rider, but with several influences derived from the Corvette could sum up the Pontiac Phantom, the muscle car produced exclusively as a concept designed by Bill Mitchell. The creator of the first two generations of the...

Pontiac Phantom: The engineless muscle car that never came to life

Vehicles often feature several trims, so letters are often added to help identify the different variants. For example, an SE might mean "Sports Edition," and an LE might stand for "Luxury Edition," as it does on Toyota trim levels. Usually, the automaker indicates what the letters stand for so there isn't any argument among vehicle enthusiasts. However, in the case of Pontiac GXP — without official word — car enthusiasts are left guessing. That said, some on the internet have come up with compelling answers to the question, so you'll have to decide on a consensus for yourself.

What Does 'GXP' Stand For On Pontiac Cars? The Internet Is Divided

Philadelphia, PA

Frank Flynn took ownership of this 1966 Pontiac GTO back in 1967, when he was 18 years old. A Ford dealership in Philadelphia had just taken the GTO in on trade from the elderly gentlemen who had bought it new. Why was he trading it in after owing it for nine months? The story is, he said the car was too fast and he wanted something more tame. A friend of Frank’s worked at the dealership and told him about the recent trade-in. Frank rushed to the dealership, and upon seeing the GTO, he knew he had to have it. He signed the papers for the $1,900 sale price and committed to the $62-per-month payment plan.

The Owner of This 1966 Pontiac GTO Had It Restored After Having It for 57 Years!

Tesla vehicles have some very cool interior features, including seat upholstery that is called "vegan leather," which sounds like an oxymoron. How can it be both vegan and leather? Well, there's actually a story behind Tesla interiors that traces back to a stakeholder meeting in 2015. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) was present and apparently asked Tesla to become the first car manufacturer to remove all leather from its vehicles. Supposedly, the question hit a nerve, and by 2017, Tesla had completely removed cowhide from the seats of its cars, followed by the steering wheel covers a little later.

Tesla Doesn't Use Real Leather, So What Is It?

Kenner, LA

In stark contrast to the rapidly evolving automotive world, dominated by electric vehicles and punctuated by high-profile bankruptcies like Fisker Inc., resides a tale of enduring automotive passion. Martin Peake, a car dealer from Kenner, Louisiana, has cultivated a unique and profound relationship with a 1969 Dodge Charger R/T 440-4.

Martin Peake’s 1969 Dodge Charger R/T: A Quarter-Century Search Culminates in a Meticulously Preserved Automotive Masterpiece with a 440 Magnum Engine

Los Angeles County, CA

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Herbie J Pilato

[Note: Unless otherwise indicated, the commentary and quotes in this article are from the author's interview with those mentioned.]. Elizabeth Montgomery was one of the most popular actors from the 1950s to her unfortunate passing from cancer in 1995. Before, during, and after her benchmark Emmy-nominated role as twitch-witch Samantha Stephens on TV's Bewitched (ABC, 1964-1972), Montgomery made over 200 additional appearances in other weekly shows, TV-movies, and feature films.

'Bewitched' Star Elizabeth Montgomery Received Death Threats for Protesting the Vietnam War

Since the widespread adoption of automatic transmissions, manuals have mostly been associated with performance cars. Slapping through the gears while winding out the engine is a thrilling experience, and nothing launches a 426 Street Hemi off the line like a four-speed. Now that trucks have become daily drivers and even luxury vehicles, they mostly have automatics, but manual transmissions used to be the standard in pickups.

The Only American-Built Pickup Truck With A Manual Transmission

The Dodge Charger and Challenger Hellcat have disrupted the American muscle car market more than any other car in the past decade. They offered some of the best horsepower-per-dollar figures of any American car in 2015, with 707 horsepower on tap for a starting price of only $60,990 for the Challenger and $66,990 for the Charger. That herd of ponies was produced from a supercharged 6.2 HEMI V8, which was Chrysler's most powerful engine when the Hellcat was released. Since then, Chrysler has ramped up the Hellcat's power production with the introduction of the Redeye, Jailbreak, and Super Stock models — all of which utilize the 6.2 HEMI, just with different superchargers and tuning.

What Type Of Supercharger Does A Hellcat Have And Does It Fit On A 5.7 HEMI?

Pontiac may have many legendary cars in its repertoire, but some models from the 1960s stand above the rest, including their current value.

5 Legendary Pontiac Models From The 1960s (And How Much They're Worth Today)

Actor Buddy Ebsen, who died at age 95 in 2003, found fame by starring in two of the most popular classic television shows in history: The Beverly Hillbillies (CBS, 1962 to 1971) and Barnaby Jones (CBS, 1973 to 1980). On the Hillbillies, he played former Tennessee country mountain-folk-turned-wealthy Beverly Hills resident Jed Clampett. On Barnaby Jones, he was one of TV's most senior, slyest, health-conscious detectives. Ebsen, however, almost became even more famous for a certain big-screen classic film in which he ultimately did not appear.

'Beverly Hillbillies" Actor Buddy Ebsen Was "Bitter" about not playing the Tin Man in 'Wizard of Oz'

GM's LS line of V8 engines have been around since the 50s, and powered all sorts of vehicles. Here's every truck the company has made with one under the hood.

Every Truck Powered By A General Motors LS V8 Engine

CarBuzz.com

Throughout the first quarter of the 21st century thus far, the automotive landscape has become almost incomparable to that which came before it. Vehicles have changed to a point where they're almost unrecognizable from a mechanical standpoint, thanks to advancements such as electric turbochargers, hybrids, and electric vehicles. EVs specifically are playing a major role in the changing of the guard here, as they look to be the green future that the automotive industry is headed towards. However, this also suggests that the internal combustion engine will soon meet its definitive end.

There's Only One Naturally Aspirated V8 Sedan Left In America

Pennsylvania State

As a gearhead once quipped, the allure of a classic car often lies not in its pristine shine, but in its raw authenticity. This was evident at a recent gathering in Pennsylvania, where a Canadian enthusiast showcased a 56-year-old Plymouth that, at a distance, might appear unremarkable. However, a closer look reveals a hidden gem: a four-letter badge on the trunk that signifies a true automotive powerhouse.

Discovering the Rare 1966-1971 Plymouth Hemi: An In-Depth Look at the Automotive Marvel Revealed by a Canadian Enthusiast in Pennsylvania

Monterey Car Week 2024 is always packed with exclusive, rare and surprising vehicles, but this year these ten stood out as the most attention-grabbing.

Monterey Car Week 2024: The Hypercars, Restomods And EVs That Stole The Show

MotorBiscuit


If Dodge had gone ahead with this true supercar concept, everything would have been different.
The post Dodge Almost Built a Mid-Engine Corvette Killer appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

Dodge Almost Built a Mid-Engine Corvette Killer

Montana State

The Montana-class would have been the largest battleships in the United States military fleet, had they actually been built during World War 2.

The Montana-Class Battleship: The Most Powerful Warships Never Built

If your engine has a timing chain, do you know how long it's designed to last and if it needs to be replaced. Here are the answers to those questions.

How Long Do Timing Chains Last And Do They Need To Be Replaced?

USA TODAY

The NHTSA recently announced recalls for 221,058 vehicles. This includes Ford and General Motors vehicles.

Ford, General Motors among 221,000 vehicles recalled: Check car recalls here

General Motors has recalled certain 2023-2024 Cadillac Lyriq electric SUVs for a condition where the anti-lock braking system may activate unexpectedly, resulting in a loss of braking pressure or reduced stopping performance, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall covers only all-wheel-drive versions of the Lyriq and...

GM recalls over 21K Cadillac Lyriq EVs

NewsBreak

When Was The First-Ever Pontiac Car Made?

Of all the defunct car brands we wish still existed, Pontiac has an unshakable place in the upper portion of the list. Up until its farewell...

When Was The First-Ever Pontiac Car Made?

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