If We Had a Time Machine, We'd Jump in It and Bring These Iconic Pontiac Cars Back
Pontiac is no longer making cars, but the brand left behind some serious legends. From muscle cars that ruled Main Street to unusual rides with a personality, Pontiac had a way of making driving fun. We wouldn't mind seeing a few of those cars make a comeback. Here are 20 of our favorites.
Pontiac GTO (1964 – 1974)
The GTO was the original muscle car, with V8 power, sleek styling, and plenty of attitude. It was loud, fast, and a little defiant, which was exactly what Pontiac did best. If any Pontiac deserves a comeback, it’s the Goat that started it all.
Pontiac Firebird Trans Am (1970s – 1980s)
The Trans Am became an instant cultural icon because of Smokey and the Bandit. Black paint, gold screaming chicken, T-tops, and lots of V8 growl. Let's just say there was more than enough personality in this car.
Pontiac Bonneville (1957 – 1960s)
The Bonneville was Pontiac’s full-size luxury muscle. It was fast, stylish, and comfortable. Today, with retro design coming back, a modern Bonneville could hit that sweet spot between classy cruiser and boulevard bruiser.
Pontiac Tempest (1961 – 1963)
The Tempest was odd and had its own appeal, which included a rear transaxle, rope-drive shaft, and engineering that was a decade ahead. It wasn’t flawless, but it was bold and unique. In today’s world of generic vehicles, a Tempest comeback could infuse some much-needed personality back into showrooms.
Pontiac Grand Prix (1962 – 2000s)
The Grand Prix blended luxury with performance long before that was trendy. It had swagger, from its muscle car origins to its later sporty-sedan phase. A new Grand Prix could comfortably be marketed as a chic, performance-oriented sedan. Something Pontiac never had trouble delivering.
Pontiac Catalina (1960s Era)
Budget full-size fun, the Catalina could give ordinary consumers a taste of big-car muscle at an affordable price. At heart, it was a sleeper, often hiding large V8 engines behind its largely bland exteriors. A modern Catalina could make "family car" fun again, and the market really needs it.
Pontiac Solstice (2006 – 2009)
The Solstice didn’t last long, but it showed Pontiac still had magic left in its final years. Small, sporty, and affordable, it was the kind of roadster you bought just to enjoy the ride. A modern turbo Solstice could easily win back budget-minded enthusiasts today.
Pontiac Fiero (1984 – 1988)
The Fiero was ambitious and quirky, but lovable. It was America’s mid-engine experiment, years before Corvettes went that way. A modern electric or hybrid Fiero revival would make so much sense today.
Pontiac LeMans (1960s – 1970s)
Before the LeMans became a badge-engineered import, it was a cool, powerful midsize with its own street cred. The LeMans could come back as a retro coupe or sedan, and muscle car fans would have something to celebrate again.
Pontiac Ventura (1960s – 1970s)
The Ventura was always the little brother to Pontiac's more prominent names, but it had some charm. Affordable, lightweight, and occasionally fast, it filled the gap between practicality and fun. If the Ventura were brought back today, it would show that fun does not need to be expensive.
Pontiac Chieftain
One of Pontiac’s early postwar beauties, the Chieftain turned heads with its chrome and Native American-inspired design. It wasn’t just about looks, though; it was reliable and roomy. A modern Chieftain could tap into the retro craze and give crossovers some real personality.
Pontiac Streamliner
This Art Deco gem from the ‘40s looked more like a rolling sculpture than just transportation. With smooth lines and chrome for days, the Streamliner was a visual treat. If Pontiac came back, a modern Streamliner EV would show that futuristic doesn’t have to look boring.
Pontiac Grand Am (1973 – 2005)
The Grand Am wasn’t perfect, but it was Pontiac’s go-to sporty family car for decades. It looked aggressive, handled better than most boring sedans, and was affordable. If it came back today with modern tech and a proper manual gearbox, it’d crush the Camry crowd in no time.
Pontiac Torpedo
The Torpedo was a stylish pre- and postwar model that packed elegance with Pontiac’s working-class spirit. Imagine a revived Torpedo today; sleek, fast, and ready to blast past bland sedans clogging the highways. That would make many people happy.
Pontiac Deluxe Six
This was the car that helped establish Pontiac in the 1930s. The Deluxe Six was dependable, handsome, and affordable. Today, a modern Deluxe Six would bring back simple, stylish, no-nonsense driving without all the tech bloat.
Pontiac Safari Wagon (1955 – 1989)
Before SUVs took over the world, wagons like the Safari were the family haulers of choice. The Pontiac Safari combined utility with a lot of flair. It would be so cool if it were reimagined today as a retro wagon with all-wheel drive.
Pontiac Star Chief
In the ‘50s, nothing said success like pulling up in a Star Chief with its chrome trim and jet-age styling. Elvis even drove one! A modern Star Chief revival would own the retro-luxury niche and put Pontiac back on the style map.
Pontiac 2+2 (1964 – 1967, 1986 – 1987)
The 2+2 was basically a Bonneville with a performance twist. Big, bold, and built for speed on the highways. The rare Canadian revival in the ‘80s was weird but fun. If it returned, it would be a killer grand tourer with proper muscle car DNA.
Pontiac Executive
Between the Bonneville and Catalina, the Executive was Pontiac’s “Goldilocks” sedan. It was big enough to impress but not too big. Bring it back today, and it could redefine what an executive car should really be: fun and fast.
Pontiac Phoenix (1977 – 1984)
The Phoenix was not a major player in its heyday, but a proper revival might change that. In the face of shrinking compact alternatives, a bold Phoenix revival could fill the gap with style.
