[Wareagle]

Originally Posted by Dr. Eric M. Schiffer

Here is what was being developed. If only things had been different in PMD managment and Government. Remember 1969 is when John Delorean went to Chevrolet and Jim MacDonald, GM's eventual president, took over PMD. They should have figured out what he had done to PMD he would eventually do to GM.

Jim MacDonald shut down the Ace Wilson's Royal Pontiac and PMD engineering connection while telling Jim Wangers in a private conversation he would no longer have access to the general manager's office.

Fortunately for Jim he had friends still at PMD to get him stuff otherwise there may never have been the Blackbird.

In 1972 prior to the release of 455 SD everyone involved with the development was called into a meeting and rheemed. From the development engineers to the foundry manager who had already run the blocks, heads, intakes and exhaust manifolds. The engine was to be in the new Grand Am, GTO, Trans Am and Formula Firebird. Even though "Cars Magazine" naming the 1973 GTO 455 SD Car of the Year. PMD Managment cancelled it. Only to be put in the Trans Am and Formula.

Herb Adams resigned soon after this meeting.

Only breif glimmers of hope came and went. Bob Stemple saved the Trans Am once and Tom Goad brought you the '89 Turbo T/A, the fastest GM product.

Pontiac's greatest era came to an end.

Eric - who was really making PMD's decisions - not letting Pontiac do their own thing etc. for me Pontiac ended in 81 but more like 79 with the W72 400 4 spd - Heres a cool pic from 1978 - Nunzi putting the coals to a 455SD powered Firebird .