Pontiac was created in 1907 as the Oakland Car Company of Pontiac, Michigan. They were purchased by GM in 1909. The first Pontiac wasn't produced until 1926, though. They released a six cylinder model that was powerful for the time. You couldn't find anything more powerful for the price in Chicago at the time. During the 1930s and 1940s, the "driving excitement" division of General Motors produced a lot of great sedans, coupes and other models. During this time, a lot of chrome was used from the hood to the windshield. This unique touch of flair quickly became associated with the Pontiac brand.
In the 1950s, the Pontiac Bonneville was introduced, which became one of the more popular models from the car company. The large cruising sedan was perfect for families who needed a lot of room but still wanted a lot of power under the hood. In the 1960s, the Pontiac brand really began to take off with introduction of models like the Tempest. During the 60s and 70s, Pontiac produced a lot of the world's best muscle cars. This was the golden age for hot rods and muscle cars, and Pontiac was on top of their game. Who can forget the Firebird or the Firebird Trans Am? These were very popular in Chicago and throughout the rest of the country.
As the prices of gas increased and consumers wanted better gas mileage more than raw power, Pontiac began to change in the 1980s and 1990s, offering smaller, more economical vehicles, including the Sunfire and Grand Am. The company tried to maintain their "driving excitement" image, and was successful for the most part. Pontiacs still offer a lot of excitement and style for the price. Despite that, GM decided to cut Pontiac from their lineup.
If you're looking to capture a little "driving excitement," use the drop-down below to find a great deal on a used Pontiac in Chicago.
