| Pontiac, Michigan, named for an American Indian chief, | | | | Pontiac was originally a low-cost alternative in GM's |
| rolled out its first car in 1900 at the Pontiac Spring | | | | brand hierarchy, and a middle-class mainstay. |
| and Wagon Works. Bought by General Motors, the | | | | However, Pontiac's "muscle cars" of the '60s and '70s |
| increasingly popular brand was redesigned and | | | | include some of our finest American classic cars. |
| presented at the New York Auto Show in 1926 with | | | | There was nothing more powerfully refined, on the |
| its now famous Indian Head Logo. | | | | streets, than the GTO. |
| Pontiac Cars have been visible and audible on the | | | | The 1970s were cataclysmic for American |
| country's roads and bridges since the beginning of the | | | | automakers as oil cartels formed, raised gasoline |
| 20th century, tunneling the Chief's head through | | | | prices and sent the consuming public flooding Japan |
| automobile traffic and American history. | | | | and other Asian countries for smaller, cheaper more |
| Growing up in Michigan, I recall distinct stages of | | | | fuel efficient autos. |
| Pontiac development, but the totem head hood | | | | The golden age of muscle cars was over as GM |
| ornament always drew me as by some mystical | | | | shifted focus to an array of econo-cars which all |
| force - at least to a young imagination interested in | | | | failed to connect with consumers. Well, if you're going |
| indian culture. | | | | to put someone in a beer can for 30k, the car should |
| The dueling "Muscle Cars" of the '60s (just as I was | | | | have an interesting design at least. Pontiac's Swan |
| getting my drivers license) and the roaring and colors | | | | Song earned the distinction of being ranked one of |
| in the streets were timed perfectly for the cultural | | | | the ugliest designs ever with the pyramidal angled |
| revolution, James Bond and a new Rock and Roll. | | | | Aztek crossover vehicle. |
| Names like Road Runner, Hemi, Barracuda, Firebird, | | | | So, now another farewell, to another true American |
| 442, 426 and others were burning rubber coast to | | | | original. Will Ford be the last American car company |
| coast along with the celebration. | | | | standing? |