Pontiac – Oddball Update

Dodge Is The New Pontiac

October 21, 2012March 25, 2013 Chief Oddball

Nobody is reviving the American muscle car better than Dodge, who has apparently gone all-in with the idea of producing unapologetically aggressive stuff. With “in your face” styling borrowed from Pontiac’s operating manual, plus not one but three big-engined sports/muscle machines on offer, Dodge since 2009 has swiftly stepped in to fill the “driving excitement” void left by Pontiac.

The Big Save

June 30, 2012June 30, 2012 Chief Oddball 2 Comments

There have been an unusual number of changes around here lately. Some of them even affect situations that have remained static for so long that I’d begun to doubt their ability to change at all. They’ve all brought with them a scent of opportunity on the wind, a feeling that now is the time to be bold and to make a grab for something that always seemed just out of reach.

My Kingdom for a Visor

February 16, 2012March 2, 2012 Chief Oddball 1 Comment

Oh, faithful GTO. For what do your initials stand? Ay; for thou would have me believe your name is “Gran Turismo Omologato”, I suspect truly that thy moniker be “Gets Troubled Often.” Or perhaps it is I to whom that nomenclature refers?

A No-Drill Front Plate Solution for SAP GTOs

January 9, 2012September 25, 2012 Chief Oddball 1 Comment

This quick how-to demonstrates how I used a mid-'90s Ford Explorer license plate bracket (of all things) to quickly and painlessly mount a front plate on my GTO's Sport Appearance Package front fascia extension.

Exorcising the Goat Gremlins

October 23, 2011October 25, 2011 Chief Oddball 2 Comments

I’m never a happy camper when my car starts giving me crap. So I was none too pleased by my GTO’s behavior over the last few weeks, during which time it started displaying myriad symptoms of some unidentifiable illness or another, all of which seemed infuriatingly unrelated.

Photos: GTO at Sunset

August 1, 2010August 1, 2010 Chief Oddball 2 Comments

I haven’t taken any new photos of my GTO since 2006, embarrassingly enough. After the recent oil leak problem was addressed, I had a renewed interest in taking the car out for a spin. After an early-morning car wash on Saturday, I decided that some new low-light photos were in order.

Whistlin’ Dixie

July 28, 2010September 21, 2011 Chief Oddball 2 Comments

Over the past decade that I’ve spent in southwest Florida, I’ve seen my share of ups and downs. One of the definite downs of my residence here has been the service offered by the local area’s Pontiac dealerships. From that fateful day in 2001 when Naples’ big-name Pontiac dealership of note first got its claws into my Trans Am, I’ve been on a roller coaster ride of poor workmanship, damaged parts, rude service writers and flat-out brainless employees of every conceivable position.

Kindred

October 10, 2009October 10, 2009 Chief Oddball 2 Comments

I was on my way home in my GTO this afternoon, with my windows down despite the near-100 degree temperatures of southwest Florida, when I spotted an interesting vehicular duo up ahead. In the lane to my right was a bright red classic Camaro — about a ’68, probably — with a tremendous loping exhaust note and beefy rear tires.

Farewell, Red Arrowhead

April 29, 2009September 21, 2011 Chief Oddball

…In the misty morning, on the edge of time We’ve lost the rising sun, a final sign As the misty morning rolls away to die Reaching for the stars, we blind the sky …Oh they say that it’s over And it just had to be Ooh they say that it’s over We’re lost children of the sea …Black Sabbath, “Children of the Sea” (1980) On Monday, April 27th, 2009, General Motors announced the discontinuation of Pontiac Motor Division.

Escapism as a Lifestyle

April 25, 2009September 21, 2011 Chief Oddball 1 Comment

Originally, this post was going to discuss the official launch of our final week here in Thailand. It was going to feature details of the fun stuff we’ve got planned for our last weekend, our trip prep activities over the coming week, and even a list of “10 things I miss about the U.S.”

Tag: Pontiac