The Pontiac Collection

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05/17/2026

76 Formula Firebird Advertisement 👍

70 what?
03/31/2026

70 what?

03/28/2026

Some HP specs for our spec geeks!!

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03/28/2026

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F O R M U L A !!!!!!!!!
03/26/2026

F O R M U L A !!!!!!!!!

Interesting color combo!
03/23/2026

Interesting color combo!

1971 Firebird Formula. Have one? Let’s see them!!
03/22/2026

1971 Firebird Formula. Have one? Let’s see them!!



Pontiac people—would you change a thing?
12/26/2025

Pontiac people—would you change a thing?

78’ was a very good year for Pontiac: here’s what else was going on. . . Automotive Highlights from 1978: 1. GM Hits Pe...
04/29/2025

78’ was a very good year for Pontiac: here’s what else was going on. . .

Automotive Highlights from 1978:
1. GM Hits Peak Production
• General Motors produced over 9.5 million vehicles worldwide, the most in its history at the time — and GM was the largest automaker on Earth.
2. Pontiac Trans Am Popularity Explodes
• Thanks to Smokey and the Bandit (released in mid-1977 but surging into 1978), the 1978 Pontiac Trans Am became a cultural icon. Sales skyrocketed — it became one of the most recognized muscle cars of the late ’70s.
3. Fuel Economy Standards Kick In (CAFE Standards)
• Automakers were now officially required to meet Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for the first time, a direct response to the 1973 Oil Crisis. This led to a gradual downsizing of American cars.
4. The Dodge Omni and Plymouth Horizon Launch
• Chrysler introduced the Omni and Horizon compact cars — the first true “modern” front-wheel-drive hatchbacks from an American automaker — directly competing with Japanese imports.
5. Chevrolet Introduces the Malibu
• Chevrolet launched the downsized Malibu, replacing the larger Chevelles. This marked the ongoing “shrinkage” trend for American cars.
6. Chrysler Faces Major Financial Trouble
• Chrysler Corporation started showing signs of major financial instability in 1978, leading to the famous government bailout that would happen a couple of years later.
7. Toyota, Datsun (Nissan), and Honda Surge in Popularity
• Japanese automakers continued to grow rapidly in the U.S. market, offering smaller, more fuel-efficient, and more reliable cars compared to many American offerings.
8. Corvette Celebrates 25 Years
• Chevrolet released the 25th Anniversary Edition Corvette with special two-tone silver paint and unique badging, commemorating the iconic American sports car.
9. Diesel Becomes a Thing in Passenger Cars
• More manufacturers (like Oldsmobile) started pushing diesel-powered passenger cars for fuel economy — though these early U.S. diesels would later gain a bad reputation.
10. Ford Fairmont Introduced
• The Ford Fairmont debuted as Ford’s new mid-size car. It was one of the first cars built on the Ford “Fox” platform — which would eventually underpin the Mustang, Thunderbird, and others through the ’80s.

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Summary:
The auto industry in 1978 was stuck between two eras — the muscle car/large car era was ending, and the era of smaller, lighter, and more efficient cars was beginning. Pontiac (especially the Trans Am) was one of the few American brands still riding the performance wave while most others scrambled to downsize.

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