Car Lust Classic--Pontiac T1000



Originally posted by Chuck Lynch on Feb. 3, 2009.



As you all very well know, General Motors and other car companies use an alphabet letter to denote a body style, usually used by two or more divisions. When the unreliability of the “H”-body Vega became obvious, GM went looking globally to replace the Vega by rebadging a “T”-body from elsewhere in the world. First built in Brazil in 1974, the “T” car was eventually made as the Vauxhall Chevette, Opel Kadett, Isuzu Gemini, and Holden Gemini. It was also called the Pontiac Acadian in Canada. Briefy, it was even made as a pickup truck, the Chevy 500.



Launched by the Chevrolet Division in 1976 as the Chevette and in 1981 as Pontiac’s T1000, this is a truly “love-it-or-hate-it” car. I bought this then-new 1978 model for reliable transportation and easy campus parking, as well as something to remember my 21st birthday by. Originally available in America only as a 2-door, “Rally” and “Woody” packages were also offered. A 4-door came along in 1978, and those two trim packages were dropped. All were hatchbacks. There was a station wagon that was never available here, but I think it would have been a hit at that time. In 1978, the Pinto and Monza wagons were still available and selling strong–though their days were ultimately numbered.



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