Let’s visit a few Pontiac owners from yesteryear. Their models range from the ‘suspenders-streaks’ era, to the cool ’60s wide-trackers that gave the marque its everlasting fame. But regardless of era, I can see they all look rather pleased with their rides.
The images are not arranged in chronological order, and at least one owner appears twice in the collection. A Poncho family by all means.
Oh; those 60’s Bonnevilles. . . To me, far and away the best-looking big GM cars of that era.
Pontiac was the car Chevy owners moved up to following Alfred Sloanes ladder 🪜. For many, it was a sign of 🎵moving 🎶on 🎵up 🎵 .Many found Pontiac to be the perfect fit and remained loyal to the comfort and reliability. My godparents had a 52 Silver Streak ? 🤔 until their 59 Star Chief and kept that for many years until their passing. Personal favorites were 58,59,and 65 BONNEVILLES. I had a 74 Grand Ville and 80 BONNEVILLE Brougham. Loved both, but unfortunately had significant mechanical problems. Interesting how having given the BONNEVILLE name to a downsized vehicle, traditional Pontiac buyers moved to other brands, causing Pontiac to bring back full size cars badged PARISIENNE (which many referred to as a Caprice in DRAG). Pontiacs attempt at being GMS performance division produced some impressive vehicles, but I believe lost many loyal customers who wanted a nice slightly upscale family car. Fortunately Pontiac production ended before (to be politically correct) the name had to be changed. A fate shared by the limited production of the GAYLORD. 😲 Do believe it might be time to resurrect the old Studebaker model name of DICTATOR! 😉
Hmmm, Sloan ladder, I see a class structure was alive and kicking in the US
I get a kick out of the older couple with their grown daughter & `55 Star Chief. Looks like Pop bought the best model alright, but wouldn’t spring for two-tone paint OR whitewalls! Probably the most ‘drab’ looking `55 I’ve seen a photo of.
You could put my father and I into that shot of the 60 Pontiac. Same car, same color, similar house at the time.
These photos are so much better for having people in them.
At least one owner appears twice in the collection, but whom? I have been scrolling up and down, looking for that person. It’s driving me mad!
#2 and #3 look like they could well be the same woman to me.
Photo # 6 and #10 are shot in front of the same house. Note the street number on the front shutter of the house.
Note the man & child in photo #6.
In photo #10, the man is standing to the far left and the child to the far right. The shirt of the man has changed; therefore, shot at different times.
Yes, of course. That’s clearly the same guy.
Thanks 3Speed – it was so clear to see once you explained it. They were clearly a loyal Pontiac family with their 1960 and 1963 Bonnevilles.
I could have made it really obvious with this one last shot. I don’t blame the guy; if I owned a ’60s Pontiac, I would never cease taking pics next to it.
Shows how suburbia grow exponentially after WWII and Korean Conflict. GI benefits, minimum down payment with government guarantee on mortgage.
The developers were waiting for them at the entrance to the subdivision.
As for the trees in the station wagon photo. I bet they’re two or more feet in radius by now.
Love these old photos. Looks like a ’59 Pontiac wagon in the driveway across the street from where those four lovely women are standing.
I never quite saw the appeal of the ’59 Pontiac, especially its rear end. Seems like they were just forced to do something different from the ’59 Buick body all the GM divisions had to use that year. Uninspired. At least the Chevy and Cadillac had some original flamboyance; the Olds looked even less inspired than the Pontiac.
I like the 59 Safari photobombing the 63 Safari..Grew up with Pontiacs, starting in late 58 with Dads new 59 Bonneville. All Bonnevilles and Grand Prixs in my parent’s garage until 72, when dad bought a new Centurion 2 dr Hardtop. Mom stayed with her GPs.
In the last shot of the 1965 Pontiac with Ontario plates, it’s either a Parsienne or Laurentian. How to tell them apart?
Could it not also be a Strato Chief? Not sure if there’s any way to tell the difference solely from the front end.
Pretty sure (but not 100%) that a 65 Canadian Parisienne would have chrome trim on top of the fenders, and an export (say Aus/NZ) would have the Bonneville style wipers. How to tell Strato Chief versus Laurentian from that angle…no idea.
I had a 1960 Pontiac Parisienne for a while in the late ’80s. Despite being the top dog in the lineup, it had only the 261 straight-6 and a 3-on-the-tree transmission, and no options at all as I recall, not even a radio. If I’m right I think the only thing that actually set it apart from a lower-level Strato Chief or Laurentian, aside from the badging, was the bright metal on the door frames. Funny how back then you really could get almost any combo of options and trims you wanted, no matter how weird your preferences might be.
I thought immediately of that car when I saw the first photo above — but that blue sedan looks so much more athletic than mine did. My wheels would have been lost in the shadows in a photo like that, the poor car sitting so awkwardly atop that narrow-track Chevrolet frame.
Another lovely bunch of photos .
So many nice Ponchos, how to choose just one ? .
Never demean the Chevrolet 261CI i6 engine ~ it was specifically designed for heavy duty truck use ~ constantly over speeded as it toiled up steep hills and so on .
-Nate
Amusing timing seeing this post: I’m in Michigan today, and have seen more Pontiacs in the last hour than I usually see in an entire month back home, including two Pontiacs in one driveway. Not surprising, but Michigan appears to be Pontiac’s last stand.
Dad had a 1967 Grand Prix and traded it in for a 1972 Grand Safari since family increasing. My mother never forgave him all these years later.
My uncle who was a die hard Ford man somehow ended up with a beautiful 64 beige Bonneville sport coupe for several months and then traded it for a gold 67 GTO with hurst his and hers shifter. Then along came another cousin and it was back to Ford and Mercury for the duration. My parents had a couple of Pontiacs, a 49 torpedo body and a 53 4 door sedan before moving to Mopars. I always loved my uncles two Pontiacs although in high school I had a very fast 67 RT. Pleasant memories are good.
Kego ;
There’s still plenty of time to make more good memories ~ I try to do so every time I see my son and grand kids, with my foster boys too .
Recently I’ve resurrected a battered old VW Bug and am loving driving it every where, it won’t make me feel young again but I love the memories it creates .
Tomorrow isn’t promised to things today not ‘someday” .
-Nate
The 1959 Bonneville convertible with tri power and factory a/c was back in 1959 and still is today the car of my dreams.