For years, I have claimed that Chevrolet has ridden on the coattails of Pontiac when it comes to design. Pontiac designers come up with beautiful cars…Chevy whines to the powers that be inside GM…and all of a sudden Pontiac’s designs become Chevrolet vehicles.
It all started in 1964, when Pontiac’s design team came up with this:
Look familiar? Yep, that’s as close to a 1968 ‘vette as you can get…but it was a 1964 Pontiac concept called a “Banshee”.
Well, the whiners over at Chevy have done it again. In 1999…that’s right, EIGHT years ago, Pontiac showed this at auto shows around the country:
That was going to be the next GTO. You can even see “GTO” in the grille. But no. The internal whining commenced, and Pontiac had to scrap the car, instead getting a Holden Monaro as the 2004 GTO. It was boring. A Cavalier on steroids. And it did NOTHING for Pontiac enthusiasts. It was a great car underneath, but Pontiac buyers expect loud styling. The 2004 GTO didn’t have it. This 1999 concept certainly did. But whatever happened to it?
By golly, THERE it is. But wait. What’s that thing on the grille? Could it be? Yep. There’s your 2009 Camaro, folks. Fully 10 years after Pontiac already did this car.
The 2000 Grand Prix I’ve been driving since it was new will be the last GM car I will ever purchase. The new Camaro, and Chevy’s crybaby internal attitude, are the reasons why. Some people buy whatever car they like today. I have, through my adulthood, preferred to remain loyal to a brand, in this case Pontiac. I’ve had 13 of them. But it looks as though I won’t get to 14.
3 responses so far ↓
1
chef Kevin
// May 26, 2007 at 3:49 am
I have a different bitch and while it has to do with all car companies, Chevy is the worse. Please don’t disgrace the names of your most famous, God-fearing, monster horsepower 60’s – early 70’s muscle cars with underpowered, weenie versions. My bald spot got bigger (hair pulling) when I couldn’t get a 4,5 or 6 speed in a Monte Carlo Z-34, or the limited version SS or in an Impala SS. What an f-in’ disgrace. And the ultra weenie remake of the Nova? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA…what the hell was that? They should have called that car “Poof”.
Dodge has it right. The re-birth of the Dodge Challenger R\T in 2008 is going to be one of the baddest boys on the street. A 540 HP 392 Hemi with a manual tranny.
Chevy is losing the race. I bet they wimp out and don’t do squat with the Camaro. Why? Same as always: because they don’t want a 28K car to be able to outrun their precious Corvette. But as far as I’m concerned, just bring back a highly tweaked aluminum block version of the 1970 Chevelle 454 LS-6 with fuel injection, six speed and a 4:56-1 rear end.
2
BJ Stone
// May 26, 2007 at 6:57 am
I agree with that entire rant, Sir Kevin.
I just heard some discouraging news this week, however, as with the sale of Chrysler to a group of private investors, they are reconsidering the release of that gorgeous new Challenger. They say if they cut the plans to build the car, it will be because of ONE reason: High gas prices.
Just another reason to despise the oil companies.
3
Tranny Blowjob
// Oct 7, 2007 at 3:24 am
Tranny Blowjob…
I came across an interesting post today where they discussed a similar topic where many of us will agree regarding……
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