It may be difficult to fathom that a car brand that soared to such heights—Pontiac—is no longer with us, but that’s the nature of business. Nonetheless, there’s no automotive American brand whose impact was larger than itself than Pontiac. While there have been books and articles published that have presented Pontiacs in this moment of ripeness, none have connected the historical dots and presented the proper context of Pontiac’s ascension until now. Noted Pontiac expert Don Keefe has undertaken this task to positive results.
Before 1955, Pontiac was perhaps the least interesting brand within General Motors, but a group of engineers and a new general manager helped change Pontiac’s trajectory. Several years within the merging of both groups (1956), Pontiac became the number-three sales leader in the American market, outselling both the traditional number-three brand (Plymouth) and unseating the surprising bearer of the spot (Rambler). From exploits from the racetrack (Super Duty) to the street (GTO), Pontiac was the brand that everyone in Detroit admired.
Pontiac, like other GM brands, had the unfortunate situation of having cubic-inch limits for certain platforms. Unique among American automotive brands, Pontiac marginally improved its engines, especially with the heads and exhaust manifolds, to help mitigate the disadvantages Pontiac faced against competitors with larger engines. This manner would lead to the development of the Super Duty 455 in a time when performance had taken a huge hit thanks to lowered compression and emission controls.
The pictures—both current and vintage—are plenty and tell a visual story of postwar Pontiac history, but it’s the narrative that truly makes this book seminal. Whether you’re a Pontiac enthusiast or simply a fan of the era, this book is indispensable.
Note: The writer of this review knows the author. You can purchase signed copies via PayPal or visit your local book store.