1986 Pontiac Grand Am

It is hard for me to be objective about this car. I owned an '85 for a few years, and loved/hated it.

This was an OK effort by GM. No extreme overhangs, the formal but more aerodynamic roofline that was so current, the size was right for it's time, the potent looks. The line of the hood and trunk are higher than the base of the windows, which makes for either an odd discontinuity or a mild innovation . The velour-ish seats are kind of tacky, the silver body cladding is a bad idea that they kept using way too long (and it creates moire in the shots). The chrome grille, clearly imitating BMW, matches the sporty intent. You may not be able to see the very slightest bit of a rear spoiler built into the trunk lid.

I prefer the two door I had -- the longer door with its broader window and non-opening "opera" window looks sleeker.

1970 Pontiac GTO

A little too shiny and polished for me, though this does provide interesting reflections. The GTO is a great car, one of my favourites from when I was a kid.

Interesting fenders with straight lines contrasting curved surfaces, the deeply recessed grilles bordered by squarish headlight surrounds, plus the ever important hood scoops & tachometer bulge.

1985 Pontiac Parisienne Brougham

A beige-y car against a sort of beige-y background on a kind of beige-y day.

Love the chrome lower body panels, which catch the dirt and salt, ensuring that few cars so equipped survive to this day. Also the gold colour on the roof and hood, standing in for a vinyl roof. And those aerodynamic mirrors -- sporty but so small, the exact same unit used on everything from Chevettes to Le Sabres. The fender skirts, the formal roofline, the hood ornament -- all echoes of a past which was more optimistic and careless.

1988 Pontiac Fiero Formula

Thanks to Pat, who told me about this car, and about how he autocrosses it. It was apparently found buried under pine needles and other forest debris down in Washington State, and after much work we can see the results. As you might guess, the wheels are from a larger but contemporary Pontiac, and they look great. Rear spoiler is from a Lumina (which certainly never needed it). Pontiac didn't build the Fiero for very long, and it wasn't until this, it's final year, that the car started living up to it's sporty looks.

I seriously thought about buying a Fiero in 1985. At the time it seemed impractical, but the boy racer in me was severely tempted. Examining this car, I love the oversized looking wheels, which fit the wheel wells perfectly. Almost every surface and shape slopes forward. The nose makes me think of a marine predator. A remarkable design for GM, better than expected. Too bad they didn't have the chops (or perhaps the management) to make the car under the skin as good as it's surface.

1973 Pontiac Ventura 4dr

I think this car looks a bit better than the '71 Chevy Nova. It's the grille and the smooth sculpting around the headlights. Rear wheels here look like they are from an Oldsmobile. Shame about the spray painting.

I was surprised to see it has up to date tags. Someone must still be driving it.

Post #50! 1968 Pontiac Bonneville Superior Ambulance

Something special for the 50th post.

I saw this beauty on my way home, and didn't know when I would ever see it again. As you can see by the uneven colours, I struggled to get good results.

Looking at all the lights and bric-a-brac, I half expected the plates to be "ECTO-1". So wild, the pointy emergency flashers, the enormous sirens. Yet it is the real thing -- this was an actual ambulance.

The other modifications are more tame but still interesting -- the single pair of taillights, raised roof, curved rear window glass. Plus of course the classic platform -- such a beautiful design. Clearly a shared platform with the hearse by the same company -- not an inspiring thought if you were to need it's services.

1982 Pontiac J2000