Transparency not Pontiac's strongest suit?

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On April 27, 2009, General Motors, in all its wisdom, announced that the 82-year-old Pontiac brand would be "phased out"—a rather polite way of saying it was being killed off. The writing had been on the wall for decades. As far back as the 1970s, GM implemented cost-cutting measures, forcing Pontiac to share platforms with other models in its portfolio. According to experts, that decision marked the beginning of the end. Ironically, not long after Pontiac’s demise was announced, GM itself filed for bankruptcy protection—one of the largest corporate bankruptcies in U.S. history.

It was a sad day for car enthusiasts. Pontiac’s journey began in 1907 as the Oakland Motor Car Company, founded in Pontiac, Michigan, by Edward Murphy, a manufacturer of horse-drawn carriages. By 1909, the company had become part of General Motors, though the first Pontiac-branded car wouldn’t appear until the 1920s.

But let’s shift gears to something more uplifting—Pontiac’s rich heritage. Today’s Friday Lady features a truly special version of the 1940 Pontiac Torpedo Eight sedan, better known as the Transparent Car. Technically, it doesn’t quite belong in this discussion, but we couldn’t resist sharing this stunning image with you. After all, isn’t she a beauty?

Words: Editor, Photo: Alamy

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