Pontiac was out to combine...
Pontiac was out to combine the attributes of the Firebird and an SUV in its '97 show concept, the Rageous.
After an extended period of basing its special show cars on production models, starting in 1984 Pontiac would field a large assortment of concept cars that were attempts to portray the future and use few production parts.
Our third installment of Pontiac's participation in the Chicago Auto Show, sponsored by the Chicago Automobile Trade Association, will highlight 1984 through 1997. The first covered the shows of 1959-1968 and the second from 1969 through 1983.
Under the guise of a mid-engine...
Under the guise of a mid-engine economy car, Pontiac got its Fiero into production for 1984, after which it promoted it as a mid-engine sports car. The pace car for the '84 Indianapolis 500 is shown in white, while a one-off Roadster concept car was featured on a turntable in back.
As in past segments, efforts to mention the most important vehicles each year have been made, but since records of all vehicles shown in a given year are inexact at best, some may have been omitted.
February 11-19, 1984
Pontiac's mid-engine Fiero took the center stage at the '84 Chicago Auto Show. Under the guise of an economy car, Pontiac quickly worked its magic once it got the OK for production.
Starting with Iron Duke four power, a V-6 was promised later in the year. On display were the Fiero Indianapolis 500 pace car and a Roadster concept version with a removable roof.
Pontiac General Manager William Hoglund said, "We're building all the cars we can now on two shifts. We'll reach production of about 95,000 this year and up to 120,000 when we get up to maximum capacity. We'll bring the Roadster in when demand starts slipping." The Roadster never got the call. Hoglund noted the V-6 would arrive in October, at the earliest.
The '87 Pursuit four-passenger...
The '87 Pursuit four-passenger coupe concept was Pontiac's look at future transportation in the late '80s. It featured four-wheel steering-by wire, all-wheel-drive, adjustable road height, and a 200hp, intercooled, turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder linked to a five-speed manual. The full fender skirts were able to move with the wheels.
February 9-17, 1985
True to the word the year before, Fiero for 1985 now featured a new 2.8L V-6 that came standard in the SE and new GT, and was optional on the base coupe. However, a new Fiero concept car spiced things up further with a deep front air dam, rocker panel extensions, a large rear deck spoiler, and special striping. Under the deck was a Super Duty 2.7L four-cylinder rated at 232 hp. The newest Pontiac for 1985 was the front-wheel-drive Grand Am, at first available only in two-door form.
February 8-16, 1986
Pontiac threw its hat in the minivan ring with the unveiling of the Trans Sport concept, which featured a glass-enclosed front passenger compartment, plastic body, gullwing right side door, six bucket seats, and a load of trick electronics, all propelled by an aluminum turbocharged V-6. It took minivan styling to a new level and influenced the '90 Trans Sport that reached production.
While it seemed most new Pontiacs were front-wheel drive, the rear-wheel-drive Grand Prix had a bit of life left in it, as the 2+2 option was shown. It featured an extended glass rear window and was produced in limited numbers. NASCAR Winston Cup racing was the purpose, and at the same show, Chevrolet's Monte Carlo Aerocoupe was shown as well.
Broadly hinting at the next-generation...
Broadly hinting at the next-generation Firebird, Pontiac displayed its latest concept car using the Banshee name at the '88 show. Some facets did eventually make it to the Firebird with the pointed nose the most obvious. Pontiac had been naming concepts Banshee since the '60s.
After the Chicago Bears won the Super Bowl the month before, 11 players made appearances at the show. Pontiac got the "biggest" of them all as William "Refrigerator" Perry signed autographs near a Trans Am on Saturdays.
February 7-15, 1987
Peering into the crystal ball was made possible at the '87 Pontiac display when the Pursuit concept car made its appearance at Chicago. The four-passenger coupe featured a full envelope body and wraparound glass structure, topped by a removable roof. With all-wheel-drive and drive-by-wire four-wheel steering, the four full fender skirts were able to move with the wheels. Road heights were adjustable, a steering pod replaced the wheel, and a heads-up instrument display was on the windshield.
A lightbar replaced the headlights and rear-seat passengers got video displays in the front-seat headrests. Power came from a 2.0L four, with an intercooler, a turbocharger, and a rating of 200 hp.
Another approach to economy was the Korean Daewoo-sourced LeMans, which no doubt caused some Pontiac loyalists to wonder how far the once proud LeMans nameplate could fall.