 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
1964 Pontiac Banshee Concept news, pictures, and information | ||
| Tweet | ||
 |  |  | Coupe Chassis Num: 66L23060 |
| High bid of $325,000 at 2010 RM Auctions. (did not sell) | |||
With Bunkies success at Pontiac, he was given a promotion to head the Chevrolet Division in 1961. He was succeeded at Pontiac by Pete Estes. At the time, Pontiac's chief engineer was John Delorean, an individual who would oversee such innovations as the flexible driveshaft and the independent rear suspension, the Tempest compact, the Le Mans GTO, a single overhead camshaft inline six-cylinder engine, soft bumpers and the Grand Prix.
In the early 1960s, the Banshee concept was conceived and given the GM Project designation XP-833. The car had insight and backing from Delorean and Pete Estes. This new design was positioned as a response to Ford's new Mustang, and had it gone into production, would have been positioned between the Chevrolet Corvette and the coming Camaro.
The Banshee Concept was based on the mid-sized A-body coil spring, live rear axle suspension that could be found on the redesigned 1964 Chevelle and LeMans cars. It was given a 90-inch wheelbase steel platform chassis, instead of the heavier A-body perimeter frame, and clothed with a fiberglass body conceived by PMD designer Jack Humbert under the corporate design leadership of Chuck Jordan. A coupe and convertible example were created.
The design of the Banshee featured a long front nose with a power-bulged hood, a short deck layout, and a elegant 'coke-bottle' profile. There were dramatic chrome bumpers, a steeply raked windshield, fastback roof, bulging fenders, and a raked cut-off rear fascia. Its design foreshadowed the third generation Corvette and gave hints of future Pontiac designs.
The engine that lurked under the hood was based on the re-designed Chevrolet block. The single overhead camshaft cross-flow cylinder head aided in providing better performance to the six-cylinder unit. It was equipped with a fiberglass-reinforced toothed timing belt to drive the camshaft. While the engine could be equipped with a four-barrel carburetor and a high-performance camshaft bringing the horsepower to a mighty 215, the base unit was installed, delivering 155 HP. This was done to tame corporate fears that this concept may poach on Corvette's turf.
Additional innovations unique to the Banshee included cooling air intake under the nose and fixed seats with movable pedals.
The Banshee Concept Coupe was painted in silver and upholstered in bright red and fitted with Rally II styled wheels. Two complete, running prototypes were built. The convertible was painted in white. Though both the coupe and convertible have survived, the project did not. Part of the reason for the demise was Chevrolet's strong opposition, stating that they were GM's purveyor of high performance sports cars.
This example, the coupe version, is a well preserved example. It was shown at the 2001 Meadow Brook Concours d'elegance where it was joined by several other prestigious classic and important concept cars. The car's odometer shows barely 1,500 miles from new. It wears its original paint and many other original components throughout.
In 2010, the car was offered for sale at the 'Automobiles of Amelia Island' event presented by RM Auctions at Amelia Island, Florida. The car was estimated to sell for $400,000 - $600,000. The car would leave the auction unsold, as the $325,000 high bid was not enough to satisfy the reserve.
By Daniel Vaughan | May 2010
| Joe Bortz to Host Historic Dream Car Discussion Panel | |
 | Dream car collector and historian Joe Bortz has prepared a special treat for participants at the 40th Annual Pontiac-Oakland Club International Convention in St. Charles Illinois, this coming July 17-21. In addition to bringing his four historic Pontiac Dream Cars, he has also assembled a panel, conisisting of two noted designers, a retired engineer and two veteran authors to examine the topic of Pontiac's early concept vehicles. The panel discussion will be held on Friday, July 20th at 1...[Read more...] |
| Raw Power Has a Stamp of Its Own Muscle Cars Roar at Spring Classic Auction | |
 | What do you get when you bring the U.S. Postal Service and Dana Mecum's Original Spring Classic Auction together at the State Fairgrounds — a Muscle Car Extravaganza! Since it began 26 years ago, Mecum's Spring Classic auction in Indianapolis has featured the largest auction of muscle cars in the world. This year, the Postal Service will celebrate the raw power of the performance vehicle at the Spring Classic event by dedicating five, limited edition stamps featuring iconic muscle cars...[Read more...] |
| Corvette Shines in the Big Apple | |
 | All-new Corvette Stingray comes to New York City 60 years to the day after Motorama debut 2013-01-16 Sixty years ago tomorrow, spectators lined New York City's posh Park Avenue, waiting to get a glimpse of the ground-breaking Chevrolet Corvette on display at the General Motors' Motorama show. On Thursday, the Corvette will be back in The Big Apple, marking the historic milestone with the all-new 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. The all-new Corvette Stingray debuted earlier...[Read more...] |
| 1967 Can-Am Road America: The Beginning of the 'Bruce and Denny Show' | |
 | While Formula One will be forever considered the pinnacle of motorsport, from a period between 1966 and 1986 there existed a series that would likely be the closest to 'anything goes' as any motor racing series could truly get. Based upon the FIA Group 7 cars but allowed to showcase unlimited engine sizes and unfettered aerodynamics, the Can-Am cars would have to be considered the pinnacle of motorsport technology and power of their era. And for more than a couple of years there would be one tea...[Read more...] |
| Joe Bortz to Host Historic Dream Car Discussion Panel | |
| Dream car collector and historian Joe Bortz has prepared a special treat for participants at the 40th Annual Pontiac-Oakland Club International Convention in St. Charles Illinois, this coming July 17-21. In addition to bringing his four historic Pontiac Dream Cars, he has also assembled a panel, conisisting of two noted designers, a retired engineer and two veteran authors to examine the topic of Pontiac's early concept vehicles. The panel discussion will be held on Friday, July 20th at 1...[Read more...] |
| Carroll Shelby, Ford Family for More Than Half a Century | |
 | Carroll Shelby was a member of the Ford family for the better part of 60 years, producing stunning performance vehicles from concepts to production models. He once said his energy and passion for performance products were always strongest when he was working with Ford. Shelby most recently collaborated with the company on the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang, the most powerful production V8 in the world. Working with SVT engineers at Sebring and the Arizona Proving Grounds, at times he drov...[Read more...] |
 1964
Pontiac
models |
| Pontiac Catalina |
| Pontiac Grand Prix |
| Pontiac Tempest |
| Similar Automakers | |
| Cadillac | Chevrolet |
| Chrysler | Dodge |
| Ford | GMC |
| Hummer | Jeep |
| Lincoln | Mercury |
| Saturn | |
| Pontiac: 1961-1970 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Pontiac History |
| Other models by Pontiac |
| Related Articles and Event Coverage |
| RM Auctions - Automobiles of Amelia Island |
| Aztek Bonneville Catalina Chieftain | Executive Fiero Firebird G5 | G6 G8 Grand Am Grand Prix | Grand Ville GTO LeMans Parisienne | Phoenix Solstice Star Chief Sunfire | Tempest Torpedo Torrent Trans Am | Ventura Vibe |
© 1998-2012. All rights reserved. The material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
