Showing posts with label Pontiac. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pontiac. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

It Came for eBay Hell: Beware of the Flying Ferrari F40 Replica


We would have probably passed this one up if it weren't for the rather…ahem…artistic - in a primitive sort of way, photoshoped images that the seller uploaded on eBay beginning with the Ferrari F40 replica pictured flying on an American highway with a bunch of cop cars on its tail. Read more »

Thursday, May 17, 2012

eBay Find: 1970 Pontiac Firebird Formula 400 with Just Over 26k Miles


As popular as it was in its heydays, it has also been more than thirty years since GM ended production of the second generation Pontiac Firebird (1970 to 1981). This means low mileage and well-cared examples are getting very hard to come by, which is why this one captured our attention.

This 1970 (1/2) Pontiac Firebird Formula 400 we found on eBay has just 26,505 miles (42,646) on the odometer with the seller claiming that the car is in original condition having been "stored and cared for its entire life".

Finished in the oh-so-70s Coronado Gold exterior paint color with a Sandlewood Tan interior, the Firebird is equipped with the Formula 400 optional package that includes an array of goodies such as the 400 cubic-inch (6.6-liter) V8 engine with a four-barrel carburetor, dual exhausts, sports suspension, dual scoop hood and more.

Read more »

eBay Find: 1970 Pontiac Firebird Formula 400 with Just Over 26k Miles


As popular as it was in its heydays, it has also been more than thirty years since GM ended production of the second generation Pontiac Firebird (1970 to 1981). This means low mileage and well-cared examples are getting very hard to come by, which is why this one captured our attention.

This 1970 (1/2) Pontiac Firebird Formula 400 we found on eBay has just 26,505 miles (42,646) on the odometer with the seller claiming that the car is in original condition having been "stored and cared for its entire life".

Finished in the oh-so-70s Coronado Gold exterior paint color with a Sandlewood Tan interior, the Firebird is equipped with the Formula 400 optional package that includes an array of goodies such as the 400 cubic-inch (6.6-liter) V8 engine with a four-barrel carburetor, dual exhausts, sports suspension, dual scoop hood and more.

Read more »

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

It Came from eBay Hell: Ferrari F50 Replica Based on the Fiero, Powered by the Corvette


Just about every Ferrari model from the 1980s and 1990s has seen a replica equivalent based on General Motors' God-sent present to the industry, the mid-engined Pontiac Fiero, and the exotic F50 is no exception.

Today's eBay find comes from Scottsdale, Arizona, with the Fiero chassis draped in a fiberglass body that mimics the styling but not the dimensions of Ferrari's range-topping sports car that was introduced in 1995 to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary.

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Monday, March 12, 2012

Kevin Morgan's Hurst Edition Pontiac Trans Am Fires Up


The death of the Pontiac brand back in 2009 gave birth to several Firebird builds based on the Chevrolet Camaro, one of the most prominent of which is the Hurst Edition Pontiac Trans Am designed by Kevin Morgan for Trans Am Depot.

Inspired by the classic Trans Am from the Smokey and the Bandit film series, the screaming chicken made its debut at the 2009 SEMA show.

YouTube user DtRockstar1 captured an example of the Trans Am firing up its tuned V8 engine at the 2012 Detroit Autorama show. You can watch the video straight after the break.

Read more »

Friday, December 23, 2011

Dodge Grand Caravan Spot Belittles GM's Deceased Pontiac and Saturn Brands


While General Motors may be taking a swipe at Chrysler with its announcement on the recovery of a stolen 300 sedan equipped with its aftermarket OnStar FMV system, the Auburn Hills-based carmaker had its own moment of Zen with a new commercial on the Dodge Grand Caravan.

The 30-second ad is called "The Right Tool for the Job" and it's part of a new campaign for the Dodge Grand Caravan that will be followed by four more spots in the first quarter of 2012.

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Monday, December 19, 2011

The Company Formerly Known as “Old GM” is Dead at Age 103


It was long overdue, but it was bound to happen: the company lawyers named Motors Liquidation Co. but which we came to know as "old GM" during the 2009 government bailout period, died on Thursday, December 15.

Though it had a very long lifespan of 103 years, no one really noticed its demise. After all, this was just U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Robert Gerbert signing the death certificate. Giving birth to the “new GM” two years ago was a very painful process – and one that most of those involved would like to forget.

It meant the sacrifice of three of its brands (Pontiac, Hummer and Saturn) and getting rid of another (Saab, which ironically is now in a similar position), closing 13 plants along with 900 dealerships. GM also had to reduce its U.S. workforce from 91,000 to 68,500 employees, which either way, is a far cry from the 525,000 workers it had in the States and another 100,000 outside the country in 1955.

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Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Surprise, Surprise: Canada's Most Stolen Vehicle is the 2009 Toyota Venza, Pontiac Aztec Makes Top 10


Who would have ever guessed that car thieves in Canada have a thing for the Toyota Venza? Yet, the 2009 model year version of Toyota's crossover topped the Insurance Bureau of Canada’s [IBC] top 10 most frequently stolen vehicles this year.

The 2009 Venza takes the crown from the 2000 Honda Civic SiR Coupe that was last year’s number one stolen vehicle but dropped to third place in 2011, just below the 1999 Honda Civic SiR Coupe.

The Japanese carmaker's models prove to be very popular among Canadian thieves as the 1998 and 1999 Acura Integra Coupe also made the list taking the 9th and 10th spot respectively.

Read more »

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

It Came from eBay Hell: The Meadowsa XP8


It's no exaggeration to say that there are more Pontiac Fieros posing as something else than there are original models, which goes to show you how much respect buyers have for GM's ill-fated sports car.

Over the years, we've brought you all sorts of Fiero-based replicas from a pretty amazing Lamborghini Miura clone to a Porsche Carrera GT and a funny-looking Ferrari F40, but this latest find on eBay, called the Meadowsa XP8, is trying to be something of its own.

Read more »

Monday, November 14, 2011

Feds Investigate Transmission Cable Problems in at Least Three GM Models


The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA] said on Monday that it is widening a preliminary investigation that began with 23 complaints about the Saturn Aura sedan from the 2007 and 2008 model years, over a transmission cable issue that may deteriorate over time and fail. If this happens, the shift lever position may not match the car's actual gear.

The safety agency said it is also looking to see if the same problem exists in at least two more GM models equipped with similar cable installations used on four-speed automatic transmissions, the 2004-2008MY Chevrolet Malibu and 2005-2008MY Pontiac G6.

Read more »

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Guess Who’s Back Again? Bob Lutz Returns to GM as Advisor



No matter the age, a petrol head like Bob Lutz can't stay away too long from the car industry. In fact, even though GM's former vice president and product czar had retired in the May 2010, the 79-year-old has been providing advice to the firm's executives without pay ever since.

Now, GM decided to formally hire Lutz as an advisor to provide counsel to the senior leadership team of the company.

Read more »

Friday, September 2, 2011

It Came from eBay Hell: The Diabolical Lambieroghini [with Video]



With the amount of free publicity I give Pontiac Fiero-based replicas on eBay, I think the sellers should be paying me…ahem…a commission.

From the vulgar depths of eBay Hell comes this...thing...this yellow-painted monstrosity that wants to pass as a Lamborghini. There are kids in Nepal, kids who have never seen a car before that would spot this fake from a mile away. Let’s run down our eBay Bad Buy™ checklist, shall we?

Read more »

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

It Came From eBay Hell: 2012 Faresi Concept Car



Grab onto to something before you read this, but if the eBay seller of this car is to be believed, Faresi is a name soon to be held in the same high regard as Ettore Bugatti and Enzo Ferrari.

What makes this all the more funny is when one looks at his 2007 Pontiac Solstice-based Faresi Concept Car that’s currently advertised on eBay. The seller expects this Frankenstein monster of a car to “be very collectable in the future, maybe even worth millions.”

Mr. Faresi, who’s unknown to the internet except in this ad, has been designing cars for donkey’s years and is an automotive heavyweight. His Solstice-based creation takes, “ideas from the most beautiful super sports cars in the world”.

Among these beautiful cars are the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, Koenigsegg Agera, BMW Z8 and 1950s Corvette. Sadly, the Faresi Concept Car is not in the same class. Heck, it could very well be in a class of its own.

With less than 2,000 miles on the clock the Faresi features a rebuilt engine (always a good sign), turbo intercooler, custom headers, competition shocks, custom exhaust, factory alarm and “James Bond style Alarm” (whatever that is – maybe it fires missiles?).

The mighty 2.4L 4cyl is said to give the Faresi Concept Car a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.9 (0 to 100 km/h) seconds, which is on par with many modern sport models.

“This car gets more attention than many $300K+ super sport cars,” though probably not for the reasons the seller imagines.

If you have the stomach for it, you can check out our complete gallery of images below.

By Tristan Hankins

Editor's Note: The designer and eBay seller of the 2012 Faresi Concept No 00001 sent us this email describing the car and the idea behind its creation in his own words:



I believe that everyone is entitle to it's own opinion, but calling it a "Frankenstein Monster" is too funny! to each it's own I guess!, most people think is a very beautiful cool looking car, that is why people take pictures of the car and take pictures with the car also!

You can see more pictures of the car and pictures of the super sports cars, from witch Mr. Faresi was inspired by in the making of his first Faresi concept shown here!

How the Faresi car was created; Have you ever looked at the best cars in the world and said, (for example), I wish I had a car with a Ferrari front that has Koenigsegg head lights and Lamborghini doors with Alfa Romeo rear, with Aston Martin side look, and a BMW side Vents, but that has an American reliable engine that is fast but economic on gas, that I can drive every day and is low in maintenance, that is also exotic and beautiful, and I am not going to see someone else driving one on the next block....... and the next block after that, and that I do not have to spend over $300K for it.

I'm sure you have, well that is what Mr. Faresi also said, after owning just about every brand of sport car out there, (has owned more than 350 cars) and now has created the \"Faresi Car\" a sports car that was born by being inspired by the best super sports cars of the world, put in one......to make the # 00001 Faresi.

Every were the car goes people love it! this is one of the reasons why, this car was made inspired by a few sports cars, and this 3 were included and they were voted the 3 most beautiful cars in the world"

Mr. Faresi has been doing something right, and it looks like he is in the right track! He is already working in building his first production car, this one will have it's own chassis and body!, once is in production, then this first concept car based Solstice could become very collectable!

Sincerely,

Mr Fuad Faresi







PHOTO GALLERY


Friday, June 17, 2011

The Inspirational Archer without Arms Changes Pontiac Brakes with Feet


Matt Stutzsman is one truly gifted and talented individual whose attitude should be an inspiration to all. You see, Stutzsman was born without arms. And yet, despite all the challenges, he managed to adapt and do everything on his own using his legs and feet.

The 29-year old man from Iowa, whose birth parents gave him up for adoption when he has was just four months old because they couldn’t deal with the idea of raising a child with special needs (or so they thought), just recently qualified from the U.S. Olympic team in archery!

Read more »

Pontiac Solstice gets an Engine Transplant from a Toyota Supra


In the world of engine swaps, anything goes but it’s always nice to see people experimenting with different kind of builds. For Car Lounge forum member ‘Phlow’, the patient was a Pontiac Solstice roadster with a weak heart - or so to say.

While most physicians would prescribe a local LS V8 transplant, this doctor went for something more exotic, to be precise a 2JZ, which is a code name for the Toyota Supra’s twin-turbocharged inline-six.

Read more »

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Pontiac Loans Heart and Body to Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder Superleggera Replica


From the creators of the Murcielago LP-640 Roadster wannabe we showed you back in 2009, comes a new Lamborghini doppelganger with fresh looks but the same Pontiac Solstice underpinnings.

This time, the car is supposed to resemble a Gallardo Spyder in a Superleggera outfit. The Lambo replica is finished in the usual for this type of conversions canary yellow and while the builders ditched the scissor door solution, they did add power controlled doors and a hood, which automatically open at the touch of a button – you know, just in case some of your friends weren’t already impressed […].

Read more »

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Defunct Brand Owners Shun GM and Ford


There are some three million former Saturn, Pontiac and Hummer customers in the United States, all of whom will unlikely ever have the pleasure of buying a newer model of their current make again. These are some of America’s defunct brands, all gone the same way as Plymouth, DeSoto, Packard and many others. These latest additions were culled following General Motors bankruptcy reorganisation in 2009. And Mercury owners are in the same boat.

Now, Ford and GM are desperately trying to hold onto these “brand-less” customers. Accoriding to a report from the Wall Street Journal, in this year alone, 70% Pontiac owners, 71% of Saturn owners and 65% of Mercury owners who traded in their vehicles left with something other than a Ford or GM product.

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Friday, May 6, 2011

Pontiac GTO Judge Resurrected…Sort Of: Tuner Prepped Model Based on the Camaro


The makers of the fire-breathing Phoenix T/A that we saw at the 2009 SEMA show in Las Vegas are back with yet another proposal for a Pontiac model based on the latest iteration of Chevy’s Camaro pony car. This time the people over at Trans Am Depot will give birth to a modern day interpretation of Pontiac’s famed 1969 GTO Judge. The tuner named its creation “The GT9 Goat”.

The teaser renderings and photos of the faux-Pontiac reveal a bespoke front end with a split grille and a revised hood with air scoops, while at the back we find new tail lamp and bumper designs as well as a restyled trunk sporting a prominent wing. The characteristic profile side stripes, quad tail pipes and the newly styled alloy wheel options round off the exterior changes. There’s no word yet if there will be any kind of upgrades to the interior and the mechanical hardware of the Camaro.

Read more »

Monday, May 2, 2011

Sport Truck Redux: New Rumors About the Holden Ute Heading to the U.S.A.


It’s a poorly kept secret that many Americans are quite fond of the Australian-made and Commodore-derived, Holden Ute, which we recently drove in Queensland. It’s big, brutish and comfortable with a bevy of engine and equipment options to suit virtually any budget or taste - so long as those tastes only extend to, “Big, brutish V6 or V8 engined utes”.

Before the Global Financial Crisis of 2009, the subsequent bankruptcy GM and the disillusion of the Pontiac brand, as many as half of the Holden Commodores built in Australia were destined for the U.S. and the world in the form of the Pontiac G8. A thinly disguised Holden Ute even made a showing at the 2008 New York Auto Show as the Pontiac G8 Sport Truck.

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