The Amazing Hidden Pontiac Museum in Michigan
Last week a couple of our listeners (Patrick and Kevin) sent me a flyer for a formal grand opening celebration of the Pontiac Transportation Museum. Cool. Wait, what? Is there a hidden Pontiac museum here in Pontiac? Oh yeah. And it’s awesome.
Hidden Pontiac Museum – where is it?
Okay, let’s start calling it by its real name: The Pontiac Transportation Museum, and it’s at 250 W. Pike in Pontiac, Michigan (put it right into your GPS…not that far off Woodward). It’s located in a former elementary school, and since it’s soft open in May they’ve had over 3,000 people visit from 40 different states.
When you start to look at the history of the auto industry in Pontiac, it’s so much more than just the Pontiac brand (which in itself would be enough). There were 47 different brands of cars that rolled off the line in Pontiac. FORTY SEVEN.
And when you stroll through the museum (stage 1 of the project is done, stage 2 and 3 are the next goals) you quickly realize this truly an untapped story of the American automotive experience. The goal here is the not only become a destination for car fans around the world, but to remind people in Pontiac of the rich history (this is going to be an AMAZING place to take kids on field trips).
The People Make It Go
Couple of recommendations when you do visit. Take the tour. It’s a donation based system to go into the back where you’ll see some stunning cars (see photos). There’s a four door Pontiac Fiero concept that caught my eye – is it wrong that I just loved that car.
And when you start to get into the 1970’s vehicles (the Can Am was amazing), it’s funny to see how wide these cars are compared to what we drive now. Pontiac was true performance in the GM stable, a statement well beyond the GTO and Trans-Am (and yes, they’ve got those there).
I saw a 1982 Grand Prix (built in Pontiac) – the same make and model of the car my dad had when I was in High School.
That car was just cool to drive – even when I clipped the side of the garage (yellow paint on a silver car), then panicked and hit the gas…dragging the right front quarter and door along – eventually denting the door. Dad kept that dent in there for a couple of months to remind me about it (I didn’t line up the car before putting it in the garage, like he had told me a thousand times).
Sorry for that tangent.
Take the tour. Talk to people. Ask questions. Turn off your phone (unless you’re taking pictures of course). The men and women who volunteer are so passionate about this museum (I’ll quit calling it the hidden pontiac museum, I promise). I’m so grateful to Patrick and Kevin for the messages about this place. I’ll be back and proud to do anything to support what they’re doing. Just don’t let me drive the Grand Prix.
