[Tripower455]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Because of this, pontiac lost its identity and many new car customers (myself included). Do you know how much the cheby boys chuckle about this? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


I always laugh at the "if Pontiac (Olds, BUick) was so good, then why is Chevy the only one left" argument.

It's because it's the CHEAPEST of all the GM V-8s to manufacture that still has an acceptable level of performance/durability. Also, getting EPA certification on a bunch of different similar sized/performance engines didn't make sense.

Most people do not know the difference between a 350P and a sbc 350. Price is THE reason that Chevy outsold all the other GM marques over the years.

To most, a Chevelle was the same as the GTO (or LeMans etc) but cheaper. Most folks don't realize that the reason the other GM marques were more expensive were that they had higher quality engines, drivelines, interiors etc. as STANDARD equipment. How many GTO's had Saginaw 4 speeds or C-clip rears (except the later 12 bolt)? For every BBC Chevelle made, there had to be 2000 small block Chevelles...

JUst pull apart a standard GTO/Firebird engine and compare it to the standard Chevelle/Camaro small block in internal dimensions and features. Half of the stuff that you need to do to a SBC to survive moderate H levels is already built in to the Ponchos. How many 2 bolt main SBC can hold up to 500 hp?

The BBC engine is a different beast though, but afaik, was not standard on any Chevy A body

Today it is a similar situation with Chevy vs the rest of GM stuff, only the drivelines are the same. You just get more stuff standard with the BOP cars than with the Chevys, where everything is an option. When I bought my '01 Formula, I priced out Z-28's with the same options, and with identical standard Pontiac stuff, the "cheaper" Z-28 actually cost about $1K more!



"I open up three deuces, I'm Never Coming Back!" http://www.tripower455.com