Pontiac Sport Truck gets a name

60ElCam · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 10:31 pm Post subject:

HI all,

Have not been here at ECCOA for a while. After reading all the negativity regarding the new Pontiac G8 ST, I thought I would put my 2 cents in.

I don't care which branch of GM builds the car - I have read "will GM ever listen to us and build another El Camino again?" for years on this site. They're doing it!! I have seen the car at the NY car show - it's awesome. It's an El Camino - half car / half truck - who cares what it is named? It is RWD - it has a v8 - it's cool. I will trade in my Silverado PU as soon as they are available because I miss driving the old Elky's (mine are undergoing resto like everyone else). This one is new - with a warranty!

I am jealous of all you Aussies who have gotten to drive these things while the rest of us have been pining for good replacement parts for our rusted out 20 plus year old versions.

The G8 ST GXP will indeed be available with the 400+ HP engine and the manual trans - I was told this by one of the GM dudes at the NY car show, but things change, so let's keep our fingers crossed on that one.

Come on Elky owners - it's only a name badge that separates the new from the old - REJOICE!!! Can I hear an Amen??

On an aside, those who think Pontiac is the ho-hum division of GM should check on current events and news. I have read that within the next couple years, all Pontiacs will be built on RWD platforms. The G8 is a pretty amazing car - with a v8 and RWD for under 30K. My 07 Solstice GXP will kick the crap out of many v8 cars on the road while getting 32+ MPG. I have taken this car into 25 MPH turns at 60 MPH on the Blue Ridge Parkway and the tires didn't even sing. I beat a Mustang GT at a drag strip during the 07 Power Tour while running a 14.48 in the quarter mile in 100% stock trim (that would be with half the cylinders of the Mustang). Pontiac is doing something right . . . oh yes, and they are launching the G8 ST while Chevrolet is not.

I'll get off my soap box now . . .

TXPONTIAC66 · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 10:39 am Post subject:

I do agree that Pontiac has been doing some things correctly lately, but when I look at the this new G8 ST, I honestly can't come up with anything negative or positive to say about it. My first car was a 1966 Lemans, little brother to the GTO but nevertheless a fun, dependable and stylish car which I still have to this day. I purchased a 1966 El Camino not for the "Chevy" badge, but because I was captured by the concept and uniqueness of the vehicle. I dont think many other Chevrolet vehicles could draw me in quite like the El Camino, simply for the fact that it is completely unique and different from anything else out there, which I think may be the case for a lot of others out there, but I could be dead wrong. With that being said, it is still a Chevy and I will always think of it in that light. When I think of El Camino, I think of a classic american styling unique to the auto industry, when I think of GTO, I think of classic american styling, (sorry Australians) but the Holden's just havent quite grabbed my attention in New GM badging even though I still respect the performance numbers and RWD. All I'm asking for is a little american ingenuity when it comes to styling. The Corvette and Solstice are great examples IMO.

60ElCam · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 11:51 am Post subject:

I would have to agree and disagree withh you. One of the issues we face with GM shipping Holdens to the US and rebadging them is the potential to send us a tired design, like the last incarnation of the GTO. this was a 90's design, sent to us at the end of its' design life, making it outdated looking by the time it hit the dealerships. From everything I have read, they were great perrformers, LS engines, 6 speeds and independent rear axles but sales were mediocre looking and so it was cancelled. For the G8 ST, it has in fact been redesigned and updated - the last version looked like the GTO. Not sure if you have taken a good look at a G8, but it is a nicely designed car, inside and out. It does in fact look like a Pontiac, however - not a Chevrolet which would be true to the badge. it wears

In the end, all design pros and cons are completely subjective. I am sure GTO owners love the design of thier cars or they would not have bought them. The 5th gen Elky's were based upon the Malibu, which was a pretty generic design, but it worked in a utilitarian cool way when they turned it into the El Camino. I happen to like the design of the G8 ST - others may or may not. But the car is the closest thing we have seen to the Elky with RWD, and an available V8 as opposed to something like a Rampage which was a bad imitation of an Elky. This thing is the real deal.

hemi57 · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 10:22 pm Post subject:

MrCryptic · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 8:18 am Post subject:

the stats of the vehicle seem decent for what it is. i don't really care for the front end, but i've never fancied the newer Pontiac front ends, like the GTO. When they remade the GTO you'd think they would have put some time into a more 'retro' styled car, like the Camaro, Challenger, and Mustang. I'll probably go test drive one of the G8's just for giggles, but as far as buying a new car, that's out of the question! Wink

(college students are always broke!)

i do agree with the G8's or any sister vehicles sticking around for long, it's to much of a "gas gussiling" image. A V8 is nice, but, everyone is thinking about smaller things or "more efficent".

wish i would've submitted a name, it would have been "Tar". Cruck is used to often Poke Tounge

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Cypress Texas, a nice little place others just call North West Houston.

dougs85 · Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 9:05 pm Post subject:

That "more efficient" vehicle looks more like an airplane than something for the road. I think I like it. A motorcycle engine powered model would tweak my interest.

Doug
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85 El Camino 305, TH350, K&N, dual exhausts
87 El Camino 305, 2004R, K&N, dual exhausts
1964-1/2 Mustang conv, 260 V8, dual exhausts
2002 Jaguar XJ8, 2000 Harley Road King
Lakewood, CO