Attracting a crowd, which...
Attracting a crowd, which was normal for Pontiac show displays, was the '89 Stinger concept. The youth-oriented all wheel drive "activity" vehicle had removable roof panels, a carbon-fiber body, and came with all sorts of outdoor equipment such as a camping stove, picnic table, and even a vacuum cleaner.
February 13-21, 1988
Finding yet another use for the name, Pontiac's concept star of the '88 show was the Banshee, a long lead preview of the next-generation Firebird. It featured a fiberglass body attached to a tube frame with a mostly glass roof. Though it would be a while before the new '93 Firebird appeared, design cues, such as a pointed theme for the nose, gave Bird fans something to look forward to. Thankfully still rear-wheel drive, Banshee featured a 4.0L DOHC aluminum V-8, rated at 230 hp. A five-speed gearbox, independent rear suspension, and four-wheel disc antilock brakes gave the car guys something to believe in.
A rare notchback Firebird GTA was displayed, as was a new Fiero Formula.
February 11-19, 1989
Contrasting the Banshee performance concept of 1988 was the small Pontiac Stinger concept car at the '89 show. A youth-oriented "activity" vehicle, it seated four passengers in a short 164.5-inch overall length and featured all-wheel drive. Several configurations were possible with removable top panels. Carbon-fiber body panels were used, and an exterior door piece could be replaced with a beverage cooler.
Looking like a coupe but having...
Looking like a coupe but having four doors was the '90 concept from Pontiac, the Sunfire. With a carbon-fiber and mostly glass roof, it was void of exterior trim and even door handles. A front driver with 190hp four, it introduced the Sunfire name long before it was used on a production car for 1995.
Various outdoor accessories were included, with a removable radio, camping stove, picnic table, tote bags, and other neat stuff all on the bragging list.
For Firebird folks, the 20th Anniversary Trans Am, that year's Indianapolis 500 pace car, was featured.
February 10-18, 1990
A large number of showgoers were making a point of heading for the Pontiac display to see what the latest concept vehicle would be. For the '90 show, they were not disappointed, as the Sunfire was the main attraction. It looked like a coupe but had small doors behind the front ones for better access. Again, carbon-fiber bodywork and a mostly glass roof were the construction choices. A clamshell forward-lifting front hood revealed a 2.0L DOHC turbocharged four, five-speed manual transaxle, and front wheel drive.
There were no exterior handles or trim on the Sunfire, and the overall length was a trim 179 inches, despite a 109-inch wheelbase. The Sunfire name, if not the styling, would be utilized for the '95 model year when the Sunbird was replaced.
Before its introduction as...
Before its introduction as a '95 model, Pontiac fielded the Sunfire Speedster concept at the '94 show. Using what appeared to be a heavily massaged stock body, modifications were made including side exhaust, a different nose, and rearview mirrors on the windshield header.
February 9-17, 1991
Yep, a fresh concept car highlighted the Pontiac display at the '91 Chicago show. This time it was the ProtoSport 4, which didn't do anything to conceal the number of doors like the '90 Sunfire did. They swept up and out of the way, and with no B-pillar, gave wide access to the passenger compartment. With a 120-inch wheelbase, this was not a small car. That was backed up under the carbon-fiber hood, where a DOHC V-8 rated at 250 hp drove the rear wheels with the aid of a 700-R4 automatic. The driver cockpit was sectioned off from the passenger side and featured analog gauges, which reflected onto an enlarging mirror.
For sports fans, the NBA Chicago Bulls sent their Luv-A-Bulls cheerleaders to perform and give out posters and prizes.
February 8-16, 1992
There were two Pontiac concepts at the '92 show, both of which were versions of the Salsa, a small two-door, five-passenger vehicle that could take on a variety of configurations with a change in roof applications. Built on a 98-inch wheelbase with an overall length just short of 156 inches, it could be open (it had a center rollbar), have a convertible rear top, glass-enclosed rear top, or with solid panels be a sedan delivery. A 1.5L DOHC four drove the front wheels, and a five-speed manual was there to stir the gears. Notable were side-exiting exhausts and a vinyl interior that could be hosed out after a tough day at the beach. Salsa would be on the show circuit for a few more seasons, and was actually considered for production.
The Luv-A-Bulls were back, and this time their poster included the Salsa.