I just picked up the Feb 09 Issue of Collectible Automobile-mainly because I am a fan of peformance Studebakers (sounds like an oxy-moron but it isn't) and there is a great article on these cars (can you tell I like the un-sung heroes of the classic auto world?). However, I noticed a letter to the editor I wrote regarding the Canadian Pontiac article was published as well. My concern was the fact I felt the reader was led to believe it was the end of distinctive Canadian Pontiacs after the 1965 model year. Here is what I wrote:
It was with great excitement that I read your article titled "First at Last: The story of Pontiac in Canada, 1926-65" in the October 2008 issue. I was, however a bit disappointed that R. Perry Zavitz led the reader to believe that after 1965 with the signing of the Auto Pact "Pontiac would scale back the number of distinctive models it offered in the Dominion" This was not the case. The "bread and butter" cars for Pontiac in Canada continued to be the Strato Chief, Laurentian, Parisienne, Grand Parisienne, and the muscular 2+2 (all available with 427 powerplants) up until 1970 (Where 454 engines were offered). Only in the 1970 model year were the American models priced to compete with our Canadian counterparts.
Their reply was:
Our article didn't say that specific Canadian-market Ponticas were reduced as soon as the Auto Pact was signed. The sentence right before the one you quoted said, "There would eventually less incentive to manufacture distinctly Canadian vehicles in this automotive melting pot", eventually being the operative word here. Having the story end where it did conveniently tied together several trends. Nineteen sixty-five completed a 40-year cycle of Pontiac history in Canada, it marked the final year of the marque's four year period of sales leadership, and it was the year of the trade agreement that would come to have an undeniable impact on the kinds of automobiles sold in Canada.
I still feel they could have written the article to include Canadian Pontiac models up to at least 1970. I feel there were some fantastic Canadian Pontiacs produced after 1965 as well. I'm also bummed that they didn't include my plug for the website!
At least we got something printed about Canadian Pontiacs in a mainstream magazine!
I butted heads with the editor of a Pontiac magazine years ago when he used his space to bash POCI. What kind of way is that for a Pontiac magazine to support the biggest Pontiac club?
I can say I know how you feel Todd. He did his best to make me feel very small in his response, and I was very diplomatic, civil etc in my letter to him. I merely stated we need to work together to further this common Pontiac interest we have.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
I think we should ( in time ) use the power of Todd's site to enlighten these fellows.. I think some pictures of 427 and 454 cars, and the wonderfull range of cars, sold by Pontiac dealers after 65, would get their attention.. BTW. Old Autos e-mailed me, and said they would be open, to receiving info, from our site.. Carl
I asked, if they would be interested in having, our monthly Feature cars, and they have a e-mail to send material to... I was looking for a way to advertise the site, without spending ANY money....
