Pontiac Banshee 1964
In the early ’60s, many considered Pontiac a performance brand. The muscle car and performance market was booming thanks in part to the newly introduced GTO. However, company management had bigger ambitions. So they introduced a fully operational concept called the Banshee. The Banshee I was the first in a long line of Pontiac concept cars that influenced production models. The first one to emerge in 1964 was highly advanced, with compact dimensions, a lightweight body, and a powerful engine. Pontiac conceived it as a “Mustang killer,” but GM feared that a sports coupe from Pontiac could affect Corvette sales so they canceled the project (via Motor Trend).
Most car fans think that’s too bad since the Banshee I had the potential to be a fantastic car. GM even incorporated several design clues into the next-generation Corvette. Today, both prototypes – one silver coupe and one white convertible – survived. We can’t help but ask what would happen if GM allowed Pontiac to build the Banshee and change sports car history.