Classic Pontiac Parts
Pontiac 1955 has a new body with an upgraded 12-volt electrical system and a
sporty 2-door safari. The big change was the introduction of the finest engine
design ever built which was the 287 cu. in. " Strato Streak" V8.
Engine size of the 1956 Pontiac is 316 cu.in. with an enlarged bore and a 2 4bbl
induction system while the 1957 Pontiac has another increase in displacement by
stroking yields 347 cu in. New model "Bonneville" is introduced, all were convertibles
with fuel injection, and the change to the performance direction is evident. Tri-Power
(3-2 bbl carbs) becomes available.
Pontiac 1958 has new frame and new coil spring rear suspension, Bonneville now
is available as a hardtop and with Tri-Power or fuel injection. 2 door Safari
dropped, last year the Chieftain model, all models now have 4 head lights, V-8
is bored to 4.06" to increase displacement to 370 cu in.
The 1959 Pontiac has 3.75" which brings out displacement to 389 cu in., 4 bolt
main caps introduced on top engines and main journals are enlarged to 3", production
engines now have cast cranks, first year for side motor mounts, Pontiac engines
no longer used on GMC trucks, A styling trend is started by using a split grille
theme, the arrowhead emblem is introduced and a new advertising slogan is used
"Wide Track"
In 1960, Pontiac has the fastest engine the planet with a four-engine powered
streamlined to 406 mph. A 4-speed floor shifted T-10 trans now available, alum
drum/wheel introduced (8 lugs).
1961 Pontiac were trimmer and has a cleaner look, less weight too. It has perimeter
frame (giving more leg room, etc) and 4-link rear suspension. Pontiac, again makes
"Car of the year" with SD engine and forged (990) crank and rods, etc, Tempest
compact introduced with innovative 4 wheel independent suspension, a 4cyl 195
cu in engine.
1963-389SD dropped, big guns now is 421SD tempest in ht and s/w form, 421 now
available in street form in 4bbl or tri-power configurations with cast cranks
and 4 bolt mains.
The 1964 Pontiac has new mid size platform with live rear axle and full perimeter
frame and block mounted starters. Pontiac counters the ban with the introduction
of a high performance package for the street, enter "GTO" w/ 389 4bbl or 3-2bbl
engine, last year for the "slim jim" and hydra-matic trans, 2+2 model introduced.
Pontiac is again, Car of the Year for 1965, 2 +2 has 421 standard, revised high-rise
style intake and bolt pattern. It has 400 Turbo Hydra-Matic for full size models.
1966 Pontiac OHC 6 engine introduced, including 4bbl "Sprint" version, last year
for Tri-Power, only year that Tri-Power uses all 3 large carbs, stick cars have
rear frame braces, headrests now optional for all models, recliner passenger seat
available.
1967-400 and 428 engines introduced with better cyl heads, 2.11" & 1.77"
valves, first year for screw in rocker studs, Q-jet makes debut on V-8s, the "Ram
Air" era starts officially 4.33 rear gear mandatory. GTO, this year dubbed "The
Great One" finally gets a performance automatic, the 400 THM, many other options
made available for the first time. Some are cruise control, hood tach, Rally II
wheels, am-fm stereo. All full size Pontiacs have hidden wipers, "Woody" station
wagons available for the first time in the V-8 era.
1968-Stunning GTO restyled with rubber "endura" front bumper, Motor Trend makes
it Car of the Year, Hide-a-way head lights offered as option, all engines now
have open chamber style heads, 350 engine introduced, shoulder belts standard
by about Oct of model year, last year for Grand Prix on full size "B" platform,
Mid year Ram Air II introduced with round ex port phlanges and computer optimized
"041 or T" cam. All '68 models now have side marker lights. Firebird drops vent
windows.
In the 1969 the top of the line Pontiac SJ model has 4-bolt, big valve, 4bbl
428, Rally gauges and auto leveling). Ram Air IV replaces Ram Air II, Ram Air
cars have driver actuated hood scoops, Ram Air IV is the first Pontiac engine
since the SD era to have an aluminum intake and forged pistons, vent windows deleted
on all hts, headrests now standard, ign key moved to steering column, 428 now
standard in Bonneville (standard 360hp only 428 with small valve heads and 2 bolt
mains).
1970- OHC 6 dropped, 455 engine is introduced and is surprisingly marketed as
an engine to "handle accessories", Ram Air IV 400 still top performance engine.
Stunning second generation Firebirds introduced at mid-year ( disc brakes are
standard, a Pontiac first ), Formula and T-37 debuts. All models now have side
beams in doors and bracing in quarters to aid in side impact, Last year for high
compression engines. Last year for full size Ventura and Executive, 455 "A" and
"G" bodies have 12 bolt rears (identical to the HD chev unit, main difference
is the companion phlange, still uses u-bolts). 455 stick cars get new 11" clutch,
GT-37 introduced.
1971-Pontiac introduces new 455HO LS-5, Standard on Trans Am and Judge, optional
on Formula, GTO, GT-37 and Lemans. All engines now have 8 to 1 compression, this
the only year that both gross and net horsepower ratings are advertised. High
back bucket seats introduced in all Firebirds. Honeycomb wheels optional in 14"
and 15" sizes on all "A", "G" and "F" bodies, standard on Trans Am w/o trim rings.
Cassette player introduced, Last year for the Performance sales brochure. From
now onward all "F" and "A" bodies with standard 455 option require automatic trans,
full size or "B" body gets redesign with disc brakes standard.
With the 1972 Pontiac, net horsepower ratings took effect, changes in head castings
made for better cooling, 5/8s spark plugs now used. This is the first year that
the engine code is in the vin #, Judge, GT-37 and GTO conv discontinued. GTO returned
as an option as in '64 and '65, 455HO still standard in T/A and now standard in
Formula 455, WW5 package introduced to "A" body, including 455HO with complete
suspension and performance enhancements, unitized ignition introduced.
1975 Pontiac has catalytic converters, compression drops into the 7s, horsepower
falls further,455 dumped on T/A only to be reintroduced late in the year, GTO
gone, on the bright side the HEI ignition is introduced and T/A sales continue
to climb, rectangular headlights are introduced on Bonneville and Grand Ville.
1979 Pontiac introduces 4 wheel disc brakes to the WS-6 package. The press goes
wild about this car, Trans Am peaks in production, Formula gets WS-6 as an option.
301 first available in T/A, 403 Olds engine standard in T/A with automatic ( for
the first time in Pontiac history, the top performance car has a standard engine
from another manufacturer ). The 400 was available for the last time, only with
super T-10 4spd ('79 400 T/As and Formulas are recognized as the last muscle cars
of the era. This gives Pontiac the first ('64 GTO) and last muscle car of the
era).
For the 1980 Pontiac has a new 301 Turbo engine, 265 engines introduced (small
bore version of 301). Turbo T/As and Formulas with WS-6 have different style wheels
now known as "Turbos", all Trans Ams and Formulas have automatics, 4spd dropped.
Only Pontiac offered this year with a clutch is a V-6 base Firebird.
In 1981, 301 Turbo was still top option but still only with automatic. Pontiac
paces with Daytona Special edition T/A, 4spd returns but only with a 305 Chevy,
worse yet this will be the last year for Pontiac V-8 production.
