Not waiting for downsizing were the all-new fullsized Pontiacs for 1977. They were now on a 116-inch wheelbase with less size, weight, and about the same interior room. A cream-colored Bonneville Brougham coupe with Valencia trimmings drew attention to the new creations.
A pair of specially painted Firebird show cars-a Trans Am in gold and an Esprit in red, both with color-tinted roof panels-also spiced up the display.
 Clearly and cleanly showing...  Clearly and cleanly showing downsizing wasn't all bad, the all-new '82 Trans Am met the public at the '82 Chicago Auto Show. It rotated under one of the Pontiac flying saucer-like domes that were used for many years. |  The '83 Daytona pace car certainly...  The '83 Daytona pace car certainly drew attention on the show floor. Its special-edition status and arm's-length list of standard features made it the most expensive of the '83 Firebird line. |  |
February 25-March 5, 1978
Following up on show cars seen at the '77 Chicago Auto Show, Pontiac introduced the midyear production Firebird Esprit Red Bird option. Nearby was the Trans Am Special Edition with new hood graphics. However, they paled when compared to the Trans Am Type K show vehicle. It featured a Kammback nicely adapted to the Firebird bodywork. Rear, side-opening glass hatches and a flat, rear glass window brought requests for a production version of the sporty wagon. The Type K was so popular it brought many requests for production.
This time, downsizing struck the Grand Prix, Grand Am, and LeMans intermediates. On the stubby side, a Grand Am CA show car attempted to feed off last year's Can Am production car.
February 24-March 4, 1979
Not forgetting its heritage, Pontiac displayed a 10th Anniversary Trans Am in silver with charcoal accents and silver hatch panels. A 400-cid V-8 came standard, and a projected production run of 7,500 was announced.
For the fantasy folks, a Firebird from the movie Hooper, with rear-mounted turbojet power, shared the display with the more conventional Firebirds. Spicing up the smaller Grand Prix styling was the Landau show car with the rear portion of its roof removed. A Targa-like bar topped the passenger compartment. Other show cars included a mildly customized a Bonneville Sport Coupe, a Grand LeMans sedan, and a Sunbird Sport Coupe.
Front-wheel drive arrived at the display with a preview of the X-Body Phoenix compact that would soon be introduced as an '80 model. Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, and Buick were also ready to unleash their versions.
February 23-March 2, 1980
To open a new decade, Pontiac and its competition reacted to the nation's second "energy crisis," touting its growing family of small cars. Miles per gallon replaced horsepower as the major selling point.
Not ready to give up on the latter, however, the '80 Indianapolis 500 pace car was on hand for its first public showing at Chicago. With big-cube power gone, a turbocharged 301-cid V-8 would get it safely around the famed Brickyard. The car was white with accents and appropriate lettering. It was announced that about 5,600 copies would be sold to the public.
For those not into racing, a midyear Grand Prix LJ Sterling Edition was seen for the first time, too. An option package included silver paint, a vinyl top, and a charcoal lower-body accent. Inside (what else?) was silver and black seating and trim.
February 21-March 1, 1981
Chicago's tradition of being the show to debut new models was kicked around a bit for 1981 when the new front-wheel drive subcompacts from General Motors were held back. The Pontiac J-2000 wasn't to go on sale until May, and February didn't suit GM brass for their foray before the public.
Among the attractions were the last of the Second-Gen Firebirds, still with their basic '70s styling. For those with an economy fetish, Pontiac's version of the Chevrolet Chevette, the T1000, held down a corner at the show.
February 27-March 7, 1982
The term downsizing struck fear into many car buffs at the time, but when the all-new Third-Gen Firebird for 1982 was shown at Chicago, crowds in the Pontiac display discovered this time it wasn't so bad. Wheelbase shrunk from 108 to 101 inches, but overall the new Firebird was still rear-wheel drive, had and still was available with V-8 power, albeit Chevy-based small-blocks. For front-drive fans, the new 6000 intermediate series was there competing for attention.
February 26-March 6, 1983
Good old show business was used to enhance the '83 Pontiac area at Chicago. NBC-TV's Knight Rider David Hasselhoff was on hand the opening weekend to autograph photos of his KITT (Knight Industries Two Thousand) modified Firebird used in the show. The Pontiac Firebird Girls complemented both Hasselhoff and the vehicles.
In the seemingly dull '80s, Pontiac's big display and the golden-clad girls were easily among the best at the show.