Pontiac Diecast Model Cars

Changing Chiefly with Time

General Motors Pontiac did not exactly roar onto the scene in 1926 when it first debuted. The idea was to offer a comfortable, roomy car with a certain feeling of luxury but without a hefty price tag. The car was named after Chief Pontiac, an Ottawa chief who stood up to the British after the French-Indian War. Today's Pontiacs echo that theme with the arrowhead logo.

The Pontiac's target market was middle income Americans who were not so concerned with high performance as they were with comfort and price. During the Great Depression Pontiac produced the cheapest 8-cylinder on the market. This persona began to change in the 1950s with new styling and rear fenders that were part of the body design rather than mere protection. Reinforcing its ...more

Changing Chiefly with Time

General Motors Pontiac did not exactly roar onto the scene in 1926 when it first debuted. The idea was to offer a comfortable, roomy car with a certain feeling of luxury but without a hefty price tag. The car was named after Chief Pontiac, an Ottawa chief who stood up to the British after the French-Indian War. Today's Pontiacs echo that theme with the arrowhead logo.

The Pontiac's target market was middle income Americans who were not so concerned with high performance as they were with comfort and price. During the Great Depression Pontiac produced the cheapest 8-cylinder on the market. This persona began to change in the 1950s with new styling and rear fenders that were part of the body design rather than mere protection. Reinforcing its Native American identity, a new Chieftain line was introduced. The cars began to impose personality on their drivers and had some power under the hood. In 1955 Pontiac launched its new 173 HP overhead valve engine. The inside-to-out changes boosted Pontiac's sales and reputation. ...less