My new 1988 T/A

[DynoDave]

Yes, not a line of 100 GTOs or Firebirds. Nice variety, and our Pontiac/Oakland/GMC club allows Buick/Oldsmobile/Cadillac vehicles at our show, so you get a nice mix.

Next up was the Father's Day show in a small town north of us called Lexington. We have used the town and it's lake front city park as a destination for several of our club's Fall Color Tours. There's an A&W there, and they have a nice deep grass lot, and host cruise nights during the summer, and this Father's Day show. Far enough from home that you get to see some different cars than usual.











1965....my favorite year of this generation.

[DynoDave]

This is all one Pontiac family, and members of our club. Fun running into them at a show 1.5 hrs. from home.

[DynoDave]

[DynoDave]

[DynoDave]

Smallish show, and all 4 generations of Firebird are present!

[DynoDave]

[MP81]

Ah yes, I'm familiar with Lexington - a friend of the family had two "cottages" (they were very large houses)...next to each other, right on Huron. Used to go there often as a kid.

[DynoDave]

Then we were into the week long 54th Annual Pontiac Oakland Club International Conventional. This year celebrated the 100th anniversary of Pontiac Motor Division, and was held in it's home town of Pontiac, Michigan.

As a week long event, there's a lot to cover, so it will take me a few days.

Host hotel check-in lobby contained a first year of production 1926 Pontiac, and a last year of production Pontiac G6, which is actually THE last Pontiac made.



The city of Pontiac, which like a lot of industrial cities tied to a particular plant or brand, has suffered greatly since the demise of PMD. It has seen some resurgence since being put under state management / state declared financial emergency (unpleasant but probably necessary). You can read more about that HERE

The past year has been particularly promising, with the demolition of an abandoned complex at the heart of it's down town area, and new construction, which is spurring other investment and renewal. Under their newly elected mayor, there is renewed support for activities like the Pontiac Transportation Museum (main organizer of this years convention in association with the 3 Michigan state POCI chapters), and this convention. They spent some funds decorating the down town area, providing police, closing streets, allowing a parade, etc. Good to see the support and appreciation for the cities history.




Convention goers started rolling into town on day one, and it wasn't hard to find the main hotel entrance.



Chapters were encouraged to set up displays, and there were two conference rooms full of them. This is ours, followed by a few others. There were awards for best display, but we did not win one.







The GM Men's Club (showing me age and years at GM...they don't call it that anymore, but I can't remember what they DO call it these days) had a display as well, with lots of items for sale. Business was brisk.



Event check-in was also in one of these rooms. Orderly and efficient, got all of your registration info., maps, schedules, good bag and pre-purchased merch in one stop. Nicely done.



Volunteers could be easily spotted in their orange shirts, and they were everywhere. It's impossible to run an event this size without them.


x

[DynoDave]

Most days had several presentations by guest speakers.



Here, long time Detroit photographer Jim Secreto tells the audience about photography and advertising (especially Pontiac) in Detroit and the auto industry.






He even brought a few original Fitz & Van ads with him from his collection. Fun stuff if you enjoy automotive history in general, and Pontiac history in particular.




Other presentations included panel of 7 (?) GM designers had spent time in Pontiac design studios, the last Fiero Plant manager (which, when it closed was the end of production of car on the 1 sq. mile + Pontiac compound), and past Pontiac General Manager John Middlebrook. Pontiac Transportation Museum B.O.D. Chairman Terry Connolly also had a presentation at the Museum. All very entertaining, and seminars you would be hard pressed to find anywhere else.

Indoor swap meet...



...and a little outdoors too...




Every day had a full schedule, including some great bus tours to some fantastic locations.

[DynoDave]

Gary Cummings arrives at the host hotel in his 1937 Pontiac. Seattle, WA to Pontiac, MI, drove all the way. The story was very popular on social media. Maybe you saw it?

83-year-old drives 1937 Pontiac from Seattle to Pontiac for centennial celebration








And of course, the hotel parking lot becomes a mini-show all in itself. I know other national car clubs that have had their conventions at this same hotel, and the parking lot IS the show. But POCI had something much grander in store for the 100th anniversary.






Hard to capture in a photo, but the blue stripe just jumped off the car in direct sunlight.

[DynoDave]

More later....