What Makes it a Pontiac?

[Larry]

I have a question; and it is one that I posed to the Pontiac MotorSports Public Relations fellow, but couldn't get an answer to.

It is in reference to the racing that Pontiac is involved in with NHRA and also Rolex DP and GT. The question is actually "What makes these cars true Pontiacs?"

The response I got from the MotorSports PR was: "The Pontiac LS2 engine that powers both the Pontiac GXP.R in the Grand-Am GT series and the version that powers the Daytona Prototype cars helps to support the brands marketing messages. As you mentioned the Pontiac GXP.R is fashioned after the Pontiac G6 GXP, further substantiating the cars performance. As you know Pontiac previously used the GTO as this vehicle in the GTO.R.

The motor in the Daytona Prototype cars puts Pontiac power on a competitive stage with brands such as Porsche, Lexus and Ford. This stage helps to promote the Pontiac brand in front of race fans at the track as well as on the SPEED Channel TV coverage. Pontiac is very much a performance brand and the Grand-Am series helps to communicate that message through competition."

I responded back stating that the LS2 was by no means exclusive to Pontiac. And since these racing cars no longer remotely resemble Pontiacs that we can relate to, what really makes them any more Pontiacs than just "GM mules?"

Remember the old days when factory racing not only pitted manufacturers against each other, but Divisions against each other too?
When I asked the PR fellow about this in relation to my original question, he said that was basicly way over his head and I would have to seek another source. I don't begrudge him, he tried; and he is right. It is way over most heads and might in fact point more directly to the day of zero brand distinction.

Back in the '60s I sure could tell the 406 Fords from the 421 Pontiacs. But, I could also tell the Pontiacs from the Chevrolets, Oldsmobiles, and Buicks too. Forget about Cadillac.... that was when they were fat old guys with big cigars cars-- remember before THEY became the GM performance division?

It's enough to make a Pontiac lover cry!

[50scars]

I wrote a piece for another magazine about watching NASCAR on TV and noticing a few things that didn't look quite right to my aging eyes. Like, all the cars seemed to be rear wheel drive 2 door bodies, even if they said Taurus and Intrepid on the windshield. I remember, a few years ago, the Factory Motor sports rep admitting that the only stock part on the thing running around the track with Pontiac on the windshield was the trunk lid. At least pontiac does make a 2 door model about that size.

[Larry]

I though it was just me that thought all those bodies looked the same. I bet they are all made by the same fiber glass body company.

Pure Pontiac trunk lids, huh? I guess we will have to be satisfied at the bar making bets that "My Pontiac trunk lid can beat your Dodge trunk lid!"

It isn't age.... the Good Old Days WERE Better!