Today’s CC/apologia on the Pontiac Aztek by Will Stopford had a true gem for its top/cover shot: the Aztek with its body/platform donor, a Pontiac Montana minivan, passing right by it on the street. Exact same windshield. Front doors would undoubtedly swap. And of course under the skin, they’re largely identical, except for the Aztek’s unique rear end, shortened wheelbase and interior details. Even the colors are similar. What timing.
So Will, did you notice?
It reminds me of this shot I took of a rabbit/Golf Mk1, for my CC on how it replaced the Beetle. I was so absorbed by the Rabbit that I didn’t initially notice red Beetle behind it. But once I did, I couldn’t believe my luck, and framed them together.
Ooh, what form does the “Curbie” take? Is it a 12″ section of concrete curbstone cut from the curb where you’re building a new driveway for a new house? Maybe bronze it like baby shoes? First place gets 12″, second gets 6″, 3rd place gets 3″ and doesn’t have to pay an overweight baggage fee on the flight home from the ceremony?
Both those pictures are Classic in every sense of the word.
Awards ceremony? I just send them COD. Got to get rid of them somehow. But I do stencil them with a yellow “CC”. 🙂
I’ve actually taken up the idea of a new logo again recently, after giving it a rest for some years and rejecting many unsolicited graphics submissions. It’s a yellow CC logo painted on a section of curb, like the street numbers folks have painted on the curbs here in Eugene, anyway. I got the idea when the junkie who paints ours every few years showed up again.
I like the logo idea. Or just yellow CC letters from a cutout template exactly like the curbpainters use for the numbers.
The ceremony would just be at a brewpub. You get there first, order yours, winners arrive, they order theirs. You leave the “awards” on the table, finish your beer, shake hands and leave. Winners finish their beer. And get the whole tab. Everybody gets something, very democratic.
Wonderful fortuitous shot! Both vehicles are extremely hideous. The Aztek is world-renowned for its awfulness, but the homely beak on the Pontiac vans takes the cake. I see a well worn Montana of this same color and vintage nearly every time I go for my bike ride.
Course I noticed, Paul. I even mentioned it in my little Joe Dennis caption at the bottom of the article! 🙂
‘Twas sheer dumb luck that I got these two Ponchos at the same time.
Would y’all judge me if I said I actually don’t mind the looks of GM’s CSVs? Well, the Montana and the Relay at least… Hell, even the Aztek has grown on me…
Oops; didn’t catch that.
We never “judge” you or anyone. Maybe just disagree. 🙂
I too saw the great pairing of two of Pontiac’s Not-Greatest Hits. This and your VW photo are two of the greats we have seen here.
The VW picture is so good it looks staged. It reminds me of the Cadillac print ads of the 60’s that featured a new Cadillac in the foreground with a two year old Cadillac in the background to bring attention to their pre- owned offerings. Nice catch.
Every time I see a Pontiac Aztek, I wonder, how in the hell did that reach production!
I don’t know that the Montana SV6 is such a mortal sin. I mean, at the time, everything was leaning toward SUV-ness. Look at many of the Chrysler offerings at the time; or Ford’s or really anyone else’s.
Everybody was all-in on the SUV craze.
We’re they trying to make it a SUV or was the tacked on nose an attempt to solve the heinous crash test results the U-body vans were notorious for?
Both, if I remember correctly.
I think it was GM trying to solve the crash test issue. However despite IIHS showing that gruesome involving the Venture and stating that a driver most likely would die in an accident, their own statistics show that fatalities in a Chevy Venture are any worse then a lot of cars, In fact according to their IIHS Status Report Vol. 42, #4, April 19, 2007 regarding cars from 2001-2004 Model Year, the Grand Marquis has more driver deaths then the Venture.
Ether way, as a owner and driver of a 1997 U Van, I am not too worried about dying in a accident because of the U Van’s supposed faults.
I frequently see this 228 convertible at Whole Foods. I’ve never crossed paths with the owner, but we always park on the outskirts of the parking lot, and both have the Cape & Islands Massachusetts plates, only 1 digit apart!
Here is a picture i snapped today from the parking lot of the complex that my watchmaker is in
When I got into the parking lot I noticed this Aztek and parked in front of it to have a side profile shot with my van.
My 1997 Trans Sport van shares the same platform as the Aztek. However for some reason GM decided to use the short wheelbase version of the U Van instead of the long wheelbase version (such as my van is on)
Regarding the Grand Marquis having more driver deaths than the u-vans I have only one question….
Is that from accidents or natural causes? ?
Well, speaking of the CC-effect and “awfullness”, this afternoon, I was checking out a Montana parked at the curb beside a strip-mall, and filled to the ceiling with bags, boxes, clothing and other personal property. It’s owned and occupied by a homeless person. I spent a couple hours trying to figure out why it hasn’t run since he installed a used transmission several months ago.
Aside from the fact that NOTHING on this V6 engine is easily accessible, there’s an endless list of loose or broken wires, terminals, fittings, vacuum-lines, missing bolts, and a leaking fuel-line – probably all caused by the occupant’s attempts to get it running.
Unfortunately, I don’t have the space or time to spend days or weeks putting this basket-case back together. So I gave him the unhappy news and no charge for my time.
At least, it’s better looking than an Aztek.
Happy Motoring, Mark
Fortuitous circumstances indeed and I noticed the placement of the parking lamps and headlights are equally separate yet flipped between the two vehicles.