 |
|
| THE LOBBY A gathering place. Introductions, sports, showin' off your ride, birthday-anniversary-milestone, achievements, family oriented humor. |
| Reply |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
#1
10-31-2022, 03:55 PM
|
||||
|
||||
GM firsts
GM gets and deserves a lot of barbs, but I read an interesting piece done 20 years ago about GM and some of the first in the world things it gave us. In chronological order (including companies that became part of GM later:
1901 mass produced car, Olds 1912 starter motor, Cad 1915 V8, Cad 1917 low-high beam system, Cad 1924 proving grounds 1927 electric wipers, Cad 1928 syncro transmission, Cad 1929 radio, Cad (Lasalle) 1932 metallic paint, Chev 1934 crash testing 1938 column shifter, Pon 1939 auto trans, Olds 1939 turn signal, Buick 1952 automatic lamp dimmer, Olds 1957 air ride, Cad 1962 turbocharger, Olds 1964 automatic temp AC, Cad 1965 tilt wheel 1966 heated seats, Cad 1971 high mount brake light, Olds 1971 traction control, Buick 1973 airbag 1975 catalytic converter 1976 trip computer, Cad 1981 cylinder deactivation, Cad 1988 heads up display, Olds 1996 auto wipers, Cad 2000 night vision, Cad 2001 satellite radio, Cad Pretty impressive list, I guess despite all the idiocy that went on there were some sharpies too!
__________________
My Break Away Squad 1969 Fbird (Base, 350 & Sprint Cvt’s - 400HO & TA Hardtops) 1969 LeMans (2dr & 4dr Hardtop and a Cvt) 1969 LeMans Safari 2 seat Wagon 1969 GTO (2 Cvt, 2 Hardtops & Judge Hardtop) 1969 Catalina (3 Cvt’s & a 2dr hardtop) 1969 Ventura 2 Seat Wagon 1969 Executive 4dr Sedan 1969 Bonnie Cvt 1969 Bonnie 3 Seat Wagon (2 of them) 1969 Bonnie Brougham (4dr Hardtop & Cvt) 1969 Grand Prix SJ (2 of them) 1969 2+2 2dr Hardtop (Canadian model) |
| The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to north For This Useful Post: | ||
|
#2
10-31-2022, 05:02 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Missed several dramatic Automotive firsts:
Air-to-Sea Torpedos 1940 Overhead Valves 1954 Rocker Arms on Ball/Stud 1954 Overhead Cam 1966? Reverb; 1967 Hoodtach 1967? Body-Color Rubber/Steel Bumper 1968 |
| The Following User Says Thank You to Half-Inch Stud For This Useful Post: | ||
|
#3
10-31-2022, 05:35 PM
|
||||
|
||||
As far as 1966 OHC 6;
First US Production 6 with OHC design.
First Belt Driven Camshaft on an American engine.
__________________
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my grandfather did, in his sleep. Not screaming like the passengers in his car. 
|
| The Following User Says Thank You to Jeff Hamlin For This Useful Post: | ||
|
#4
10-31-2022, 06:02 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
The Jeep Tornado overhead cam six was introduced in 1962, although it wasn't belt driven. Of course, OHC engines have been around in various configurations since 1910 or earlier.
I think several of the OEMs had reverbs as well as the aftermarket. I don't know who was first, but reverb was an available accessory for the 1965 Imperial. I'm not sure air to sea torpedos qualify as an automotive first. 
Last edited by Stuart; 10-31-2022 at 06:09 PM. |
| The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Stuart For This Useful Post: | ||
|
#5
10-31-2022, 06:09 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Saginaw tilt was available in '63. Fascinating stuff.
__________________
"At no time did we exceed 175 mph.” Dan Gurney's truthful response to his and Brock Yate's winning of the first ever Cannonball Baker Sea-to-Shining Sea... Still have my 1st Firebird 7th Firebird 57 Starchief |
|
#6
10-31-2022, 06:28 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
1st concept car: Buick Y job
1st industrial design/styling center: The GM Art and Color Studio 1st hidden windshield wiper system - '69 GP? 1st windshield hidden radio antenna K
__________________
'63 LeMans Convertible '63 Grand Prix '65 GTO - original, unrestored, Dad was original owner, 5000 original mile Royal Pontiac factory racer '74 Chevelle - original owner, 9.85 @ 136 mph besthttp://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ My Pontiac Story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 "Intro from an old Assembly Plant Guy":http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 |
|
#7
10-31-2022, 06:29 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
K
__________________
'63 LeMans Convertible '63 Grand Prix '65 GTO - original, unrestored, Dad was original owner, 5000 original mile Royal Pontiac factory racer '74 Chevelle - original owner, 9.85 @ 136 mph besthttp://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ My Pontiac Story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 "Intro from an old Assembly Plant Guy":http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 |
| The Following User Says Thank You to Keith Seymore For This Useful Post: | ||
|
#8
10-31-2022, 06:38 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Yea, i threw those out on a wag. Cast iron V8 crankshaft circa 1960 was another gem.
|
|
#9
10-31-2022, 06:57 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
No one mentioned the 66 Toranado FWD, then the Eldorado soon after. Not the first cars with FWD, but it was a big deal at the time since Cord I believe last tried it in 1929ish, through 1937?
__________________
Brad Yost 1973 T/A (SOLD) 2005 GTO 1984 Grand Prix 100% Pontiacs in my driveway!!! What's in your driveway? If you don't take some of the RACETRACK home with you, Ya got cheated    
Last edited by Sirrotica; 10-31-2022 at 07:10 PM. |
|
#10
10-31-2022, 07:08 PM
|
||||
|
||||
To be clear PMD didn't state First OHC, they stated it was the First US production "CAR" to use it.
They were splitting hairs for sure
__________________
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my grandfather did, in his sleep. Not screaming like the passengers in his car.
|
| The Following User Says Thank You to Jeff Hamlin For This Useful Post: | ||
|
#11
10-31-2022, 07:14 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
1st Production Turbochaged V-8 in the USA 1980 PONTIAC
1st 4 speed automatic overdrive ( GM/Cad) 1943 ( IIRC these were put into Tanks) 1st and Only US Company to use "Rocket fuel" ,1962 OLDSMOBILE ( refill tank under hood)
__________________
"The Future Belongs to those who are STILL Willing to get their Hands Dirty" .. my Grandfather Last edited by Formulabruce; 10-31-2022 at 07:35 PM. |
| The Following User Says Thank You to Formulabruce For This Useful Post: | ||
|
#12
10-31-2022, 07:40 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
|
| The Following User Says Thank You to Stuart For This Useful Post: | ||
|
#13
10-31-2022, 08:10 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
Also, the '64 GTO was the first car to have red line tires available and a Hurst shifter... |
|
#14
11-01-2022, 12:16 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
__________________
Anybody else on this planet campaign a M/T hemi Pontiac for eleven seasons? ... or has built a record breaking DOHC hemi four cylinder Pontiac? ... or has driven a couple laps of Nuerburgring with Tri-Power Pontiac power?(back in 1967) |
|
#15
11-01-2022, 08:27 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
|
|
#16
11-01-2022, 08:51 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
The OP initial list has a number of mistakes, but not going to nit pick. GM had an impressive list of real great innovations. Surprisingly, Chrysler had a similar list of first's as well and Ford. They weren't called the big 3 for nothing!
|
|
#17
11-01-2022, 09:08 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
The list of shame could be good too:
Cardboard door panels (Chevette) Plastic cam gears Plastic intake manifolds Soy based wiring insulation (if we make it taste like food, mice wouldnt eat it, would they?) 2.14 rear gears etc This could get interesting....
__________________
Clutch Guys Matter _______________________________________ 53 Studebaker, 400P/th400/9" 64 F-85 72 4-4-2 Mondello's VO Twister II 84 Hurst/Olds #2449 87 Cutlass Salon 54 Olds 88 sedan |
|
#18
11-01-2022, 09:59 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
__________________
Brad Yost 1973 T/A (SOLD) 2005 GTO 1984 Grand Prix 100% Pontiacs in my driveway!!! What's in your driveway? If you don't take some of the RACETRACK home with you, Ya got cheated
|
|
#19
11-01-2022, 11:14 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
__________________
1964 Tempest Coupe LS3/4L70E/3.42 1964 Le Mans Convertible 421 HO/TH350/2.56 2002 WS6 Convertible LS1/4L60E/3.23 |
|
#20
11-01-2022, 11:26 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
1st built-in tent?
Maybe not...lol |
| Reply |
|
|
The PY Online Forums is the largest online gathering of Pontiac enthusiasts anywhere in the world. Founded in 1991, it was also the first online forum for people to gather and talk about their Pontiacs. Since then, it has become the mecca of Pontiac technical data and knowledge that no other place can surpass.
Linear Mode
