1977-78-79 Trans Am – Smokey & The Bandit

Not only a General Motors icon but a legend of the film industry. Smokey and The Bandit fans world wide join clubs and create replicas of the classic Trans Am from the hit Burt Reynolds/Jackie Gleason comedy. The only thing more iconic than the car is that Firebird hood logo – at least it was during the 80′s, when you weren’t cool unless there was a mural painted somewhere on your ride.

1982 Firebird TTop – Knight Rider Style

Firebird Trans Am variants remained popular throughout the 1980′s thanks to NBC’s Knight Rider. Just like Bandit fans, there is a global following made up of KITT lovers who transform their Trans Am cars into personalized Knight Industries Two Thousands. One thing that always bugged me – couldn’t NBC give Michael Knight a larger ride? He always looks so scrunched up in that car.

1980-82 Pontiac Acadian – Chevrolet Chevette Knock-off

My father used to rock a Chevrolet Chevette – or “The Shitter”. Not the best from GM, Chevettes were cheaply made and not well received. Pontiac’s version, the Acadian, was produced for Canadian car buyers, and were latched to the back of tow trucks just as often as the Chevy.

Pontiac Trans Sport – A Minivan for the GM Crowd

When soccer moms needed a Minivan to get their kids to school, but don’t want to go down the Caravan or Sierra route, there was Pontiac’s 1990 Trans Sport van. The roomier interior may have been a plus, but they probably should have invested in flame-retardant materials.

Pontiac G6 – Hertz Favorite Rental Car

I have been a rental customer of Hertz since I was old enough to not pay that extra charge for being under 25. Since the introduction of Pontiac’s G6  it has been a favorite of the car rental company, and I have driven a few. I must admit it’s a nice car, at least to drive for a weekend. There seem to be a good amount on the roads, so perhaps they have some staying power – though not enough to make GM feel the make’s worth keeping around.

1980′s Bonneville – The Boxiest of Boxy 80′s Cars

The Bonneville claimed Pontiac’s longest run from 1957 to 2005. Our personal favorite generation came during the late 70′s thru mid-80′s. The boxiest of sedans had horse power under the hood and comfort in the back seat (and LOTS of back seat, that thing was huge!) The Bonneville had staying power, literally, as we see many mid-80′s Bonne’s still on the streets today.

Pontiac Vibe – The Hipster’s Hatchback

Want a Toyota Matrix but don’t have a money? Try out a Pontiac Vibe! One of GM’s answers to the growing want of hatchbacks for younger drivers, the Vibe (which is also slang for a self pleasuring device) features 5-door design and sporty interiors. 2009 looks to be the last for this hatchback, however, so you college grads may have to look towards Saturn…I mean Saab…I mean…damn.

Pontiac’s First Car

Pontiac’s name was taken from Chief Pontiac, an American Indian chief who led an unsuccessful uprising against the British shortly after the French and Indian War. Pontiac, the brand, was introduced by General Motors in 1926 as the ‘companion’ to GM’s Oakland Motor Car line. The Pontiac Coupe (shown above) was the first in an 80-plus year reign that has been put to an end thanks to America’s automotive financial crisis.

The Pontiac G6 is in its 4^th model year with noteworthy changes in terms of looks and safety. Adding two body styles in 2006, the Pontiac G6 additionally includes a new GXP high-performance trim for this year. The GXP trim replaces the GTP.

The four-door sedan is available in four trim levels for 2008: the entry-level Value Leader, base G6, GT and GXP. While coupes are offered in either GT or GXP trim, the convertible can only be a GT. Equipped with 16-inch wheels and air-conditioning, the G6 Value Leader sedan also has full powered accessories, a four-way manual driver seat and a CD player. The base G6 upgrades to 17-inch alloy wheels, remote keyless entry and cruise control. The GT has a V6 powered engine, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, sport-tuned suspension, and an eight-speaker Monsoon sound system including a subwoofer and satellite radio.

GXPs ride on 18-inch chromed wheels, automatic climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, six-way power driver seat and heated front seats. Available equipment packages include an in-dash CD changer, sunroof and leather upholstery.

The sedan is run by a 164-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. GXP trims have a 3.6-liter V-6 engine powering 252-horsepower. The GT is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine at 219-horsepower; while convertibles are rub by 222-horsepower, 3.9-liter V-6 engines.

All-disc antilock brakes and traction control are standard for all models. Standard on GXP sedans on coupes are electronic stability systems, side curtain and side-impact airbags.