Jim Wangers
 

I read that Jim passed away today. Can anyone confirm? I hate to post this and be wrong. If so, may he Rest In Peace.

I read a post confirming this by Poncho Perfection.


RIP

Poncho Perfection magazine just made a post on FB so sadly most likely true. RIP Jim.

I got an email from Fred S. Copied to Padgett and to Cammer-6.

Sad day! R.I.P. Mr. Wangers.

Thank you, Jim, for your contributions to PMD, and our hobby! Neither would have been the same without you. May you rest in peace.

RIP Prayers sent.

Sad to hear. RIP Jim. You will not be forgotten.

RIP Mr. Wangers. Your vision for the GTO transformed a generation through brilliant marketing and advertising.

RIP

Nice Man, met him years ago.

Very nice man, I briefly chatted with him at the GTOAA Nationals at Bandimere back in 2012. Rest in Peace Sir, your legacy is secure!!

RIP Jim Wangers. Met him at Maple Grove Raceway, oh about 1992-3 ish, so 30 years ago, and Jim was quite old then.

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.

Rest in Peace Jim........he was the world's greatest Pontiac Enthusiast.
Here he is signing my glovebox door in 1997........

Rest in peace Mr. Wangers.

He did allot with his life. We should all learn from it. Rest in peace brother

Met him at the Long beach GTO years ago. R.I.P. sir.

Sad news.....RIP Jim.

RIP, Jim

Jim, and Big Dave Anderson (Beat the Tiger promo) used to have their booth close to our T shirt booth for many years at Norwalk, I used to get to shoot the breeze with both of them for a few hours each year.

When things would slow down at the booth Jim would get some paint markers, and make his way out onto the show field, looking for cars, glove boxes, core supports, to sign. Even after he was retired from advertising, he was one of Pontiacs best ambassadors.

His article about the 2004-2006 GTOs (not a real GTO) is what convinced me to buy my 2005 GTO........Keep up the Pontiac heritage, and hobby Mr Wangers, in a much better place!!!

I knew Jim Wangers, Tom Nell, Herb Adams, Dudley "Skip" McCully, and a few other people like Jack "Hurst Shifty Doctor" Watson, among others.

Jim was a hard core street racer on the street in Detroit.

Outstanding Advertising Man.

Tenny now owns the Wangers 64 Red GTO, (and has for several years).

Jim Wangers used to stay at Jim Butler's home when Jim B put on his events at
the track there. Ron Hildreth would always show up with the rest of the California
crew. Jim will be in good company with Ron H, Tom Nell, and Mac Mckellar.

Tom V.

RIP Jim. I’ve read all the books that capture how his marketing acumen and love for cars lead to the rise of Pontiac back in the 60’s. I was not born yet, but I have enjoyed his legacy. Hopefully I can get my son on the right path…

A life well-lived.

Thanks for all you’ve done for the Pontiac brand and for making the GTO the true automotive icon it became.

Rest In Peace Jim.

Bart

RIP Godfather of the GTO! Going to be missed by many but never forgotten. What a legend.

This is sad to read.

He seemed like a really nice guy when I met him at the 2008 Pontiac Nationals;
He took the time to chat a bit (there was no line up at his booth).
I would recommend his book to anyone who wants to learn more about him and Pontiac’s ‘Glory Days’.

I am grateful I got to meet him.

Sad news. I think of him every time I'm in the 'Bandit' Suburban- and how fortunate I was to have known him.

My sympathies to Jim's family - and all in our Pontiac community.
I too am grateful to have met and talked to him.
I'll take solace in those couple of times that we enjoyed talking - not Pontiacs - but where we went to college (Illinois Tech - IIT) and the ups and downs of our Chicago White Sox.
He lived a full life - we should all be so blessed.

Meet Jim also, years ago. I wondered how he was doing. RIP Mr. Wangers.

I could have sworn he passed away a year or two back, had to check. Perhaps it was a previous report that he had moved into the assisted living arrangement and didn't have long to go. One less of the characters.

I met Jim a couple of times. Was such a pleasure to talk with him. His stories from back in the day were great. He signed my visor back in 2014 at the nationals in Pittsburg.
What he did for PMD is legendary. May he rest in peace

Over the yrs reading about his accomplishments and stories really is humbling. Many agree the best Pontiac promoter. Hope in heaven there is a nice stretch of black top where he can power shift strong and crisp…..RIP…..

Another legend gone. RIP Mr. Wangers

Sad, one year on Woodward, noticed the GTO Tiger, Jim was rolling next to me, time to read Glory Days Again, RIP

I agree a sad day to be sure, I did get to speak to him several times at Detroit area events, he was always friendly and loved to talk about Pontiac’s!
I was even lucky enough to be asked to drive his 69 Judge from were it was being stored to the Woodward dream cruise and back many years ago. Primarily because he knew I could drive a 4-speed and I would not abuse it. I had a lot of fun that weekend.

He will be missed

Rest in peace Sir! We more than likely wouldn’t be here without you.

Rest well Jim.
I first met him back in 91 at TigerRun. After the meet I drove him back to Portland in my 69 GTO. It was great ride with conversations covering many topics. He always remembered me every time we ran into each other over the years. A true gentleman.

Many memories of the man. Best one was driving him to his 85th birthday party in my 64 convertible with the top down. Going down Marine Drive in Portland about 55 mph and him with a death grip on his "hair". RIP sir.

We all have very limited time here , better enjoy it boys
RIP Jim thanks for making Pontiac great! GRRR

Where can I read the 04-06 article?

I believe it was in a monthly column that Jim used to write for HPP. I tried to locate it online, but many of those articles have been scrubbed.

In essence, Jim has no bias against the 04-06 GTOs, and towards the end he admits the new cars have every right to be called GTO's, even though many of the "old guard" were against them from the beginning.

It was because he wrote that article that I went ahead and purchased a new GTO for myself, only new car I've ever owned in my lifetime. I could have easily had Jim sign my car, but I just never did it.

:focus:

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.

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.

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.

Is Dave Anderson still alive?

R.I.P.

Yes - I believe so.

K

Dave posted on FB about Jim passing.

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

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