[geeteeohguy]

Originally Posted by ANDYA

Over the years I met Jim Wangers on several occasions. A true gentleman who was always willing to talk and answer any question. His contributions to PMD back in the early days has played a huge part in what our hobby is today. A true legend when it comes to muscle car history. RIP Mr. Wangers.

This was my experience as well. I met and talked with Jim several times over the years at the Central CA Pontiac show. He always took the time and was always gracious. He looked at my '67 GTO and asked 'how many coats of paint are ON that thing?? And I told him it was on the 3rd repaint but it had 240,000 miles on it and I drove it all over the place with the original drivetrain. What a passionate and classy man. RIP, you will be missed and fondly remembered, Sir.

[Verdoro 68]

What a legacy he has. It's just amazing all the things his fingerprints are on. I always appreciated his willingness to engage with the enthusiasts. I'm sure he told the same story a thousand times but he always told it like it was the first time. He must have signed thousands of cars, but he always made sure it was personal. Incidentally - one of the greatest signatures in the industry rival only to maybe Shelby. We need more folks like him carrying the torch forward. Rest in peace, Jim.

[400 4spd.]

Here's a picture of Jim autographing the Tiger that I brought to an event at Virginia Motorsports Park. Later that day, both he and Arnie stood at the timing tree with me for a couple of pictures. Quite a memory for me.

[mgarblik]

Originally Posted by 400 4spd.

Here's a picture of Jim autographing the Tiger that I brought to an event at Virginia Motorsports Park. Later that day, both he and Arnie stood at the timing tree with me for a couple of pictures. Quite a memory for me.

You have some good signatures on the Tiger GTO.

[77 TRASHCAN]

Is Dave Anderson still alive?

[KS circutguy]

R.I.P.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by 77 TRASHCAN

Is Dave Anderson still alive?

Yes - I believe so.

K

[400 4spd.]

Dave posted on FB about Jim passing.

[mgarblik]

Here are a couple nice tributes, IMO. RIP Mr. Wangers.

https://journal.classiccars.com/2023...he-gto-passes/

https://www.oldcarsweekly.com/news/j...-the-age-of-96

[Hammertime Mike]

Was fortunate to have met Mr Wangers a few times. The most memorable was at Pigeon Forge Tn. RIP

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

96 years !

Never knew he was a WW2 veteran.
Never knew he was affiliated with MotorTown that did the CanAm conversions , and other cars.

Thanks for linking those articles.

[Jonsie]

Met him at several shows, and always took the time to talk w/you. RIP

[b-man]

Jim used to campaign a couple of cars in the Pontiac Drag Days series held at Los Angeles County Raceway in Palmdale CA back in the mid-‘90s, I was also a participant in that series from ‘93 through ‘02.

He often had “Dirty Ed” Dufrene doing the driving, switching between a 9-second street racer/sleeper nitrous ‘74 T/A and and the 11-second 428 powered Ponte Carlo depending on the day.

Jim although a true gentleman was a very fierce competitor and could trash talk at the track with the best of them.

Nice to know you Jim.

Bart

The Ponte Carlo shown below with a 10.79 dial in, note the Cadillac Eldorado roof section. Another of Jim’s drivers Robert Johnson is seen here in the staging lanes with the Ponte. This was another sleeper that Jim used to go get the cash at the street races.

[unruhjonny]

I cannot ever recall seeing any good pictures or a good write up on the ‘Ponte Carlo’ - but having essentially grown up with an ‘81 Monte Carlo as my mothers car, I thought this was a super cool car.

[b-man]

One time at the races “Dirty Ed” was really giving me the business.

He said the Ponte was not only quicker than my GTO, but that he was sitting and waiting for his next run in the Ponte’s air conditioning while I was sweating like crazy along with all the others out in the staging lanes.

All in good fun, and he wasn’t wrong.

I think that picture I posted of the Ponte Carlo was taken at Carlsbad Raceway down San Diego way, I can’t be absolutely sure as that picture was given to me by a photographer friend. At Carlsbad the altitude was much lower than at LACR (377 ft. vs 2700 ft.) and the air quality was so much better, that’s why it’s dialed-in in the 10s.

[goatwgn]

R.I. P. to the greatest Pontiac ad man ever, and a very influential person on the American automotive landscape. He had a life we can all envy

[Jack Gifford]

Destiny? I believe Jim and Pontiac division were both born in 1926.

[R 70 Judge]

I’ve been reading this thread the past few days contemplating weather or not to add to it…

I met Jim for the first time in the early 1990’s when I was in my late teen/early 20’s. He was a Pontiac legend and very successful businessman. If you saw a commercial stating that the new Altima did 0-60 in 5.9 seconds, that was Jim’s company, AMCI providing that testing data. Remember the 100,000 mile Altima with the stacked wine glasses on the hood parodying the Lexus commercial? Yep, that was Jim’s idea. He truly was a marketing genius.

I feel fortunate to have known him. I really looked up to him. He always made time to guide me with financial advice or just with life in general. He was a great man. I have lots of memories but one that is sticking out above the rest… I remember hanging out at the “warehouse” on hot summers night after a full day of racing at Carlsbad raceway. Ed asking me to change the plugs in the ‘74 TA while he and Jim planned which spots to hit for street racing that night. Racing at the track was fun but street racing is what Jim loved most…

Rest in peace, Jim. You were a Pontiac legend, but above all, a great friend

[sdbob]

Talked to Jim at first POCI convention in Orange Cty about different cars from different cos. that were popular and why. Talked few times at Norwalk. I have the his signature on the Tiger as well as his book. Ed told me street racing stories. Jim would go to the track,Ed driving and race. Racers would notice his times so they figured they could beat him in a street race. Nope he wasnt showing everything. I cant remember whether it was Jim or Ed told me of a street race down south. Only a few people new about it that's the way Jim wanted his street races quiet,$$. RIP Jim.

[burd]

For those who never got a copy of GLORY DAYS, get a copy, you’ll like it. I was lucky to order one rite if Jim when they came out.