Pontiac History At The Chicago Auto Show - Windy City Wide-Trackin'

Over the last decade, Pontiac's offerings at the Chicago Auto Show have slowly reverted to more production-based show cars from concept cars. In this final installment highlighting Pontiac's participation in the Chicago Auto Show, sponsored by the Chicago Automobile Trade Association, we will examine 1998-2008.

Though efforts to discuss the most influential offerings from each year have been made, records of all vehicles shown in a given year are inexact at best, and because limited photography exists, some may have been omitted.

February 7-15, 1998
When it came to concept vehicles, Pontiac stylists of the late-'90s couldn't be accused of following the crowd. An example was the Montana Thunder, which was based on the '97 Trans Sport Montana-optioned minivan. A revised front clip with larger grille openings, airscoops, hidden headlights, and road lamps gave it a new face.

The body was chopped 2.5 inches and spiked side cladding definitely caught the observers' attention at the '98 show. A built-in bicycle rack and slatted taillights were among the special effects. Eighteen-inch asymmetrical wheels inside large wheelwells helped account for a wider 9-inch tread. Power came from a 225hp V-6.

Roy Roberts, Pontiac-GMC general manager, noted it was an "exercise in converting a minivan into an SUV." Indeed, that was the marketing approach Pontiac took for the Montana, but without the radical styling.

Previewed in 1998 was the revised '99 Grand Am, which grew in size and power to maintain its role as Pontiac's most popular model.

February 12-21, 1999
Continuing its exploration of styling boundaries at the '99 show, Pontiac introduced its Aztek concept vehicle, a crossover SUV of sorts that was even more radical than the Thunder of 1998 and Rageous of 1997. Its controversial styling featured a multilevel nose, side cladding, and tall rear hatch.

Wanting to know what the public thought, Pontiac handed out questionnaires, posted a toll-free phone number, and a website for Aztek input. One can only imagine the range of answers.

"We're trying to determine if we should develop a vehicle like this and what features people would like to see," said Don Butler, brand manager for Pontiac concepts. "We will modify the Aztek based on the reaction we get."

Apparently reaction was favorable, as the production '01 Aztek was virtually the same as the concept and yet it was a sales failure.

On a more conventional note, the redesigned '00 Bonneville was on display.

February 11-20, 2000
This time around, Pontiac's concept at the '00 Chicago Auto show was the Piranha, a four-door, youth-oriented "activity" vehicle. It featured removable seating for four, an opening rear hatch, a lightweight tub in the cargo area that served as a trunk or removable cooler/table, and a refrigerated glovebox. Instrumentation was minimalist. Wide-Track wheels were 18 inches in front and 19 in the rear. A 2.2L supercharged four and five-speed automatic transaxle motivated the front wheels. Styling was angular but less so than the Aztek.

February 9-18, 2001
As a follow-up to the Piranha, Pontiac showed off the REV at the '01 show. Of similar proportions, the four-door was more sedan-like, with a rear hatch and tailgate combo. Wheels again stuck out, with 19-inchers in front this time and 20s out back. Suspension was adjustable for height, and construction included composite fenders and rocker panels. All-wheel drive was included, and a 245hp, 3.0L V-6, and five-speed manual transmission that could shift automatically were there to spin them.

February 8-17, 2002
After seemingly living on the edge with its concept vehicles, Pontiac nailed it in styling at the '02 show with the introduction of the Solstice two-passenger sports car. Rushed from design to the spotlight by Bob Lutz, GM vice chairman of product development, the Solstice was to be an affordable, four-cylinder, rear-drive machine with styling that was retro and just plain good-looking.