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Curbside Classics Archives
pontiac Archive
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![In the mid-1960s, Pontiac was riding high on its sporty image. The full-size Pontiac Catalina was a big hit, and the muscular midsize Pontiac GTO was a great success, […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/1965-Pontiac-Catalina-2plus2-Fontaine-Blue-Mecum-Auctions-S87.1-front-3q-right.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Review: 1965 Pontiac Catalina 2+2 421 HO – 2 Plus 2 Does Not Equal GTO")
Vintage Car Life Review: 1965 Pontiac Catalina 2+2 421 HO – 2 Plus 2 Does Not Equal GTO
Posted on July 10, 2025 | 21 CommentsIn the mid-1960s, Pontiac was riding high on its sporty image. The full-size Pontiac Catalina was a big hit, and the muscular midsize Pontiac GTO was a great success, […] -
![For 1970, GM senior management finally rescinded the corporate policy that limited intermediate-size cars to engines no bigger than 400 cubic inches. Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac wasted no time […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/1970-Pontiac-GTO-455-RA-Pepper-Green-Mecum-Auctions-S214-front-3q-left.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1970 Pontiac GTO 455 And 400 Ram Air – There IS A Substitute For Cubic Inches")
Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1970 Pontiac GTO 455 And 400 Ram Air – There IS A Substitute For Cubic Inches
Posted on June 30, 2025 | 15 CommentsFor 1970, GM senior management finally rescinded the corporate policy that limited intermediate-size cars to engines no bigger than 400 cubic inches. Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac wasted no time […] -
![Although Hydra-Matic Drive was developed and manufactured by General Motors, GM’s Detroit Transmission Division also sold Hydra-Matic transmissions to outside automakers, including most of the U.S. independents and even […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/1940-Oldsmobile-Series-90-blue-Barrett-Jackson-front-3q-left.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Early Hydra-Matic Users: Many Non-GM Automakers Bought This Pioneering Automatic Transmission")
Early Hydra-Matic Users: Many Non-GM Automakers Bought This Pioneering Automatic Transmission
Posted on June 22, 2025 | 16 CommentsAlthough Hydra-Matic Drive was developed and manufactured by General Motors, GM’s Detroit Transmission Division also sold Hydra-Matic transmissions to outside automakers, including most of the U.S. independents and even […] -
![In the early 1960s, GM’s Oldsmobile and Pontiac divisions responded to the burgeoning personal luxury market with re-trimmed B-body hardtops, the Oldsmobile Starfire and Pontiac Grand Prix. Both were restyled […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1963-Pontiac-Grand-Prix-vs-1963-Oldsmobile-Starfire-front-composite-1.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "1963 Pontiac Grand Prix Vs. 1963 Oldsmobile Starfire Coupe – How Did These Sporty Luxury Hardtops Compare?")
1963 Pontiac Grand Prix Vs. 1963 Oldsmobile Starfire Coupe – How Did These Sporty Luxury Hardtops Compare?
Posted on May 4, 2025 | 33 CommentsIn the early 1960s, GM’s Oldsmobile and Pontiac divisions responded to the burgeoning personal luxury market with re-trimmed B-body hardtops, the Oldsmobile Starfire and Pontiac Grand Prix. Both were restyled […] -
![In J P Cavanaugh’s recent post about the oddly proportioned long-tail 1962 Pontiac Star Chief, some commenters wondered how the interior appointments of the Star Chief compared with those of […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/a-catalina-vert-1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "1962 Pontiac Three-Way Comparison: How Did The Star Chief Compare To Catalina And Bonneville?")
1962 Pontiac Three-Way Comparison: How Did The Star Chief Compare To Catalina And Bonneville?
Posted on April 25, 2025 | 24 CommentsIn J P Cavanaugh’s recent post about the oddly proportioned long-tail 1962 Pontiac Star Chief, some commenters wondered how the interior appointments of the Star Chief compared with those of […] -
![Pontiac was riding high in 1965, but the division’s big flagship Bonneville was in danger of getting lost in the shuffle. In August 1965, Car Life tested a Bonneville […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1965-Pontiac-Bonneville-Vista-4HT-Clasiq-Auctions-front-3q.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1965 Pontiac Bonneville Vista – “Excellent Within Reason”")
Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1965 Pontiac Bonneville Vista – “Excellent Within Reason”
Posted on April 21, 2025 | 47 CommentsPontiac was riding high in 1965, but the division’s big flagship Bonneville was in danger of getting lost in the shuffle. In August 1965, Car Life tested a Bonneville […] -
![Even before their test of a 1967 Ram Air GTO appeared in print, the editors of Car Life had gotten their hands on the redesigned 1968 Pontiac GTO. Their […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1968-Pontiac-GTO-Ram-Air-AutoHunter-front-3q.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1968 Pontiac GTO Ram Air – “It’s The Wildest”")
Vintage Car Life Road Test: 1968 Pontiac GTO Ram Air – “It’s The Wildest”
Posted on April 14, 2025 | 24 CommentsEven before their test of a 1967 Ram Air GTO appeared in print, the editors of Car Life had gotten their hands on the redesigned 1968 Pontiac GTO. Their […] -
![Is this the grandest Grand Prix? If you could poll every living Pontiac fan, the 1969 GP would stand a good change of coming out on top for its […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1969_pontiac_bonneville_1969_pontiac_bonneville_575046f4-a70f-4d9f-b583-c884ce46a983-OrDfXV-27936-27937-scaled-1.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Review: 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix Model SJ – “Tiger In Tuxedo”")
Vintage Car Life Review: 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix Model SJ – “Tiger In Tuxedo”
Posted on March 31, 2025 | 35 CommentsIs this the grandest Grand Prix? If you could poll every living Pontiac fan, the 1969 GP would stand a good change of coming out on top for its […] -
![The Pontiac GTO arguably started the big-engined intermediate Supercar craze in 1964, and it was the one to beat in this hotly contested segment. Its performance didn’t always live […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/1967-Pontiac-GTO-turquoise-Mecum-Auctions-front-3q-right.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Review: 1967 Pontiac GTO Ram Air – “King Of The Supercars”")
Vintage Car Life Review: 1967 Pontiac GTO Ram Air – “King Of The Supercars”
Posted on March 26, 2025 | 34 CommentsThe Pontiac GTO arguably started the big-engined intermediate Supercar craze in 1964, and it was the one to beat in this hotly contested segment. Its performance didn’t always live […] -
![Imagine you could travel back in time and order the ultimate ’60s muscle car, with all the most desirable performance options and minimal unnecessary frills. It might look something like […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Car-Life-May-1965-page-42-top.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Vintage Car Life Review: 1965 Pontiac Tempest GTO – The Special-Order Supercar")
Vintage Car Life Review: 1965 Pontiac Tempest GTO – The Special-Order Supercar
Posted on February 12, 2025 | 16 CommentsImagine you could travel back in time and order the ultimate ’60s muscle car, with all the most desirable performance options and minimal unnecessary frills. It might look something like […] -
![(first posted 4/29/2014) From a midwesterner’s perspective, it might seem that the Northwest is crawling with old cars, but for the locals who encounter them regularly, like Washingtonian cohort member Runningonfumes, […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/GrandPrix1.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Cohort Classic: 1968 Pontiac Grand Prix – A Big Deal In Any City")
Cohort Classic: 1968 Pontiac Grand Prix – A Big Deal In Any City
Posted on February 1, 2025 | 98 Comments(first posted 4/29/2014) From a midwesterner’s perspective, it might seem that the Northwest is crawling with old cars, but for the locals who encounter them regularly, like Washingtonian cohort member Runningonfumes, […] -
![(first posted 2/28/2014) The fourth highest grossing film in the United States in 1977 was the Academy Award nominated Smokey & The Bandit. Some people have ripped this film as being […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/big-and-little-enos.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "CC Cinema: The Cars of “Smokey & The Bandit” – What We Have Here Is a Total Lack of Respect for the Law")
CC Cinema: The Cars of “Smokey & The Bandit” – What We Have Here Is a Total Lack of Respect for the Law
Posted on January 25, 2025 | 106 Comments(first posted 2/28/2014) The fourth highest grossing film in the United States in 1977 was the Academy Award nominated Smokey & The Bandit. Some people have ripped this film as being […] -
![Most fans of the Pontiac GTO have heard of the legendary Royal Bobcat tuning kit for Pontiac 389 and 421 engines. In the June 1963 Car Life, automotive writer […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1964-Pontiac-Tempest-GTO-coupe-Royal-Bobcat-decal-Mecum.webp?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "CC Tech: Pontiac Royal Bobcat Kit – “The Screwdriver Tune-Up” For Hot 389s And 421s")
CC Tech: Pontiac Royal Bobcat Kit – “The Screwdriver Tune-Up” For Hot 389s And 421s
Posted on January 22, 2025 | 21 CommentsMost fans of the Pontiac GTO have heard of the legendary Royal Bobcat tuning kit for Pontiac 389 and 421 engines. In the June 1963 Car Life, automotive writer […] -
![(first posted 3/11/2014) Some car models have very linear lives. Take the Lincoln Town Car. All throughout its long life, from Continental option package in 1969 through the final […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/aa-3-20-2013-004-800x536.jpg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Curbside Classic: 1989 Pontiac Bonneville LE – The Many Lives Of The ’80s Bonneville")
Curbside Classic: 1989 Pontiac Bonneville LE – The Many Lives Of The ’80s Bonneville
Posted on December 13, 2024 | 117 Comments(first posted 3/11/2014) Some car models have very linear lives. Take the Lincoln Town Car. All throughout its long life, from Continental option package in 1969 through the final […] -
![Recently, I accompanied my wife and daughter on a roadtrip that covered nine states. Enjoying the temperate climate well south of the Mason-Dixon Line, I figured a bumper crop of […]](https://i0.wp.com/www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/south-of-rolla.jpeg?resize=115%2C115&ssl=1 "Lost & Found: Automotive Treasures Saved From a Nebulous Fate")
Lost & Found: Automotive Treasures Saved From a Nebulous Fate
Posted on December 2, 2024 | 35 CommentsRecently, I accompanied my wife and daughter on a roadtrip that covered nine states. Enjoying the temperate climate well south of the Mason-Dixon Line, I figured a bumper crop of […]
