[aukc]

video tribute to the 1983 Pontiac Excitement calendar that was recalled



click to play



Article published in HPP February 1984. Who else has one of these calendars or other Firebird Girl collectibles like posters, etc.?

[PonchoV8]

I like it!
She's got an Adrienne Barbeau look. Was she on one of the cop programs in the 1980s?

[Alvin]

Here is Firebird Girl Natale Carroll signing autographs next David Hasselhoff @ a Pontiac display.

[Simple Man]

MMMMMMM....Adrian Barbeau!

[Alvin]

How many kids today do you think are lining up like that at car shows?

[richardk]

Originally Posted by Alvin

How many kids today do you think are lining up like that at car shows?

I guess that would depend on if there was a "teen heartthrob" there signing autographs.

I don't know, maybe it's a regional thing but there are usually plenty of kids at shows around here.

[Alvin]

Cool RK. No worries.

Aukc - Thanks for another cool Original Poncho Thread. Note the "Knight Rider" and "The Firebird Girl" banners and posters behind "The Hoff" and Natalie. Good stuff!

[BlueGTO]

Originally Posted by Alvin

Here is Firebird Girl Natale Carroll signing autographs next David Hasselhoff @ a Pontiac display.

Must have great food in that place with the "Emergency Exit Restrooms" in the back ground.

[PMD1969]

Originally Posted by Alvin

How many kids today do you think are lining up like that at car shows?

zero

[c5farmer]

I don't know how many kids would line up today, but I know a few old men who would!

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by c5farmer

I don't know how many kids would line up today, but I know a few old men who would!

Laugh Out Loud!

[aukc]

Originally Posted by c5farmer

I don't know how many kids would line up today, but I know a few old men who would!

I resemble that remark

[Old Goat Racer]

And the dealer brochure

[aukc]

Originally Posted by Old Goat Racer

And the dealer brochure

check out the very fine print on the back cover, lower right

[aukc]

Originally Posted by Old Goat Racer

And the dealer brochure

1983 Pontiac full line brochure -

The “we build excitement” era of Pontiac is the one I am a bit familiar with.

In October 1980 then Pontiac general manager Bob Stempel was sent to Germany to rescue Opel and William E. Hoglund was assigned the job of Pontiac general manager. The product line was deteriorating, the customer base eroding and dealers suffering. The division had lost focus.

Less than 2 months into the job, Hoglund and then planning manager John Middlebrook decided the division needed a new focus and in January 1981 the Pontiac Image Conference was held. Out of the conference came a formal Image Statement. Pontiac’s advertising agency participated in the conference and as a result of the conference the new slogan “We Build Excitement” was born.

Unfortunately the current product line did match the promise of such a bold slogan. So Pontiac marketing began featuring the word “Excitement” in promotional materials while the product line could be revamped to live up to the slogan. Finally for the 1983 model year, the product line was good enough, Pontiac had the STE version of the 6000, a 5-speed transmission option for the firebird/trans am, a Daytona Pace Car special edition, a new 2-liter OHC engine and 5-speed for the 2000. The Fiero had been approved and would become available in the next model year.

I believe the 1983 full line brochure and this 2-page magazine ad

1983 magazine ad

was the launch of the slogan “We Build Excitement” and all the variations achieved by substituting a different word for build like “Sell”, “Race” etc. Pontiac used this slogan for the next 10 years (in 1993 it was changed to “we are driving excitement”, and there were some very good years in there, like 3rd place in sales in 1988 and 1989.

I have not been able to confirm this, but I also believe that the Firebird Girl was “discovered” at the photo shoot for the 1983 full line brochure. Natalie was one of the models at the photo shoot of the 1983 line-up for the full line brochure. When it was time to take photos of a black Trans Am, Natalie was selected to model with the car. Jim Graham, Pontiac’s director of merchandising decided to do something a little different, and had Natalie wear a snug fitting leather outfit. The combination was electric. Jim Graham took in the scene and said “We are going to have a Firebird Girl”.

Natalie with black Trans Am

[GT182]

I'mmm in love.

[1969GTO]

now if WANIKA [I cant drive] Patrick looked like that

[1969GTO]

Originally Posted by Simple Man

MMMMMMM....Adrian Barbeau!

do you mean...Adrian Barboobs?

[2002Z4CSS]

Wow, she is hot!

[Old Goat Racer]

Keep in mind, she's 30 years older.