Pontiac, soon to become one of the Lost Marques of America. Just this day I read that GM would shortly discontinue the Solstice and the Vibe. Mind you, the former was a niche car whose image was diminished by sharing it with Saturn and a British Vauxhall, while the latter was a Toyota Matrix with a few styling differences. Rather than bemoan the demise of yet another American car, however, the Fairfield County Concours has decided to celebrate the Pontiac brand at their 2009 event on September 12 and 13. In addition to a display of the most significant Pontiac models from its 83-year history, the event is also searching nationwide to find America's oldest Pontiac and America's (including Canada's) oldest Pontiac still with its original owner.
Aided by event partners Fed Ex Auto Transport, United Airlines and Mandarin Oriental Hotels, the Connecticut concours is offering each of the winners free transport of their car to and from the event, two free First Class tickets on United Airlines to New York, as well as a free three-night's stay at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Manhattan, and VIP tickets to the show. True, much attention will be drawn to the GTO and wide-track Pontiacs of the 1960s, but I hope that someone appears with a 1934 Pontiac 8-cylinder sedan similar to what my mother once owned. It was just another old car then but it contributed to my earliest driving experiences. And with it, my everlasting respect for the Indian head. If you're aware of a car that could meet the show requirements, please get in touch with the organisers now.