History At The Chicago Auto Show - Windy City Wide-Trackin' Part 3

February 6-14, 1993
Rumors of the next GTO being on display made the rounds before the '93 Chicago Auto Show. When the show opened, a Victory Orange Grand Am GT was there with a 205hp, 3.4L V-6 and claimed 0-60 in 6.5 seconds. It had 17-inch wheels and special leather interior, but nowhere was the GTO badge or mention of same. Second thoughts prevented calling it a "Goat."

A preview of a future Grand Prix could be seen in the GTP concept car that was at the show. Extensive plastic cladding and trim also gave a preview of things to come at Pontiac.

Showgoers got to see the new '93 Firebird, which was introduced a month earlier. It featured mostly plastic body panels and came in three versions: base, Formula, and Trans Am. Two engines, a 3.4L V-6 and 5.7L V-8 were available, with the latter at 275 hp. The new Firebird continued the live rear axle, unlike the '88 Banshee concept's independent rear suspension.

February 5-13, 1994
For the second time, Pontiac had a Sunfire concept car at the show. The first was a coupe-like vehicle in 1990. For 1994, the Sunfire Speedster was an open-air affair with a low rollbar at the B-pillar. Its lines were closer to the awaited '95 Sunfire subcompact, which would replace the Sunbird. Rearview mirrors on the windshield header, a side exhaust, and a subtle hoodscoop were all gingerbread for those who viewed it. A supercharged 2.4L DOHC four kicked 241 horses through the automatic transaxle to the front wheels.

February 10-19, 1995
Following up the '94 Sunfire Roadster concept car, Pontiac introduced the '95 production Sunfire convertible and a GT coupe at the '95 Chicago Auto show.

For a concept, the Grand Prix 300 GPX made an appearance. It proved to be a preview of the '97 Grand Prix, which would debut midyear in 1996. A supercharged, intercooled Series II 3800 V-6, complete with Ram Induction, boasted 300 horses. Eighteen-inch wheels and longer 110.5-inch wheelbase were also in the package.

February 10-18, 1996
More Grand Prix news came at the '96 show when a coupe version of the '97 model was introduced well ahead of its production launch. At a press preview, NASCAR legend and car owner Richard Petty appeared with Pontiac General Manager John Middlebrook and showed off the Winston Cup race car that was legal to race in the '96 season. Petty retired as a driver after the '92 season with 200 wins, still more than any driver in the series. He had raced Pontiacs for many years at that point and would continue campaigning them as a team owner into the next decade.

On display was a Firebird with the new WS6 Ram Air option, rated at 305 hp.

February 8-16, 1997
McCormick Place South was the new home for the Chicago Auto Show for 1997. All exhibits were now on one floor with 840,000 square feet of exhibit space. Attendance reacted favorably, with 1 million being topped for the first time.

Pontiac seemingly emptied its gadget bin on its concept car that year, the four-door hatchback Rageous. It was claimed to have the performance of a Firebird and utility of an SUV. It carried four passengers, and the rear seats folded flat for storage, like a wagon. In addition to the hatch, it had a fold-down tailgate. Sculpturing was a combination of shapes, not all singing the same tune. There was a split grille, a hoodscoop up front, and tube-type taillights. Of rear wheel drive design, the Rageous featured a 315hp, 5.7L V-8 and six-speed manual transmission. Round dash gauges and electronic everything were part of the combo.

"We did this product as an exploration," says Pontiac-GMC General Manager Roy Roberts. "We will take this car into consideration when planning future products."