Autos of America History page 11 by P B Gill
“”Plymouth Automobiles””
Plymouth was introduced by Walter Chrysler in 1928 , as a low priced automobile for the Chrysler Corporation and came on the market as the Chrysler-Plymouth . In 1929 the model “U” was called simply “Plymouth” . through the 30s Plymouth was sold through all of Chrysler’s dealers , Chrysler Dodge and DeSoto dealers as the entry level model . The low price of Plymouth helped it to sell during the Great Depression to help Chrysler survive . In 1931 Plymouth was the number 3 selling automobile in USA with sales of over 417,000 vehicles . 1939 Plymouth Convertible was the first mass produced American automobile to have a power operated top . In 1957 Plymouth sold over 725,000 vehicles . From 1959 Plymouth sale steadily decreased until 1965 . Plymouths Duster and Valiant models helped returned them to third place over all in 1971 and 1974 . Plymouth models declined in sales in the late 70s while Dodge and Chrysler sales improved .
In the 80s Plymouth models were mostly re-trimmed Dodge Chrysler or Mitsubishi models . The Plymouth Prowler was introduced in 1997 which was an actual Plymouth model . The last Plymouth was the 2001 Neon .
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Plymouth Models of the late models were re located to the Dodge and Chrysler automobile lines .
“”Pontiac Automobiles””
The Oakland Motor Car Company was bought by General Motors in 1908 and that division of GM eventually became Pontiac . Pontiac Spring and Wagon Works and Oakland had merged and both were in Pontiac Michigan , previous to the GM purchase . Pontiac was a model designed buy General Motors that was built by the Oakland division of GM . Very soon after its introduction , Pontiac became more popular than the Oakland and out sold Oakland . In 1932 the Oakland division of GM became Pontiac and the Oakland models were discontinued .
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Pontiac Chief six cylinder was shown at the New York , Auto Show and became the top selling six cylinder vehicle , selling over 76,000 the first year .
In 1933 Pontiac introduced the lowest priced 8 cylinder vehicle in America . Through the late 30s the 40s and early 50s Pontiac was known as a moderately powered family type automobile , not a performance vehicle . In 1955 Pontiac had a completely new body and chassis , and had a 173 horsepower V8 overhead engine . In 1955 Pontiac sales were very good . In 1957 Pontiac introduced the Bonneville and built about 630 limited production Fuel Injected V8 Convertibles to draw publicity to the Pontiac brand .
1957 was the real beginning of the Pontiac performance automobiles and the 1958 Bonneville was even available with a tri power model .
1959 saw the introduction of Pontiac Wide Track (wheels side to side were 5 inches farther apart) . In 1961 the unibody , Pontiac Tempest compact was introduced . In 1964 Pontiacs first real , and their most famous muscle car the GTO was born and soon after was available with an optional 348 horsepower 389 engine package . In 1967 the Pontiac Firebird (pony car) came on the scene and in 1969 the Trans AM option package was added to the Firebird . In 1969 the GTO model called “The judge” was also added to the Pontiac Performance line up . From 1962 to 1970 Pontiac was the #3 selling automobile in North America . Due to a fuel shortage and new emission laws throughout North America performance and horsepower decreased in Pontiac and all North American automobiles and in the 80s all cars got smaller to reduce weight .
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In 1971 the low priced Ventura II and the very luxurious Grand Ville were entered into the Pontiac line-up . 1977 saw all Pontiac and all GM models get smaller . The Pontiac Phoenix replaced the Ventura and a 151 cubic inch 4 cylinder engine was introduced . In 1982 the redesigned Firebird was a big seller and the J2000 which became the Sunbird was introduced . In 1984 the rear engine 2 seat Fiero came out . In 1988 Pontiac were to Front Wheel Drive in almost all its models . The Tran-Sport mini van came out in 1990 and in 1999 in became the Montana . In 2004 the Holden Monaro came to America as the re-birth of the Pontiac GTO . (Holden is GM of Australia) Pontiac is still making sports minded automobiles and appears to be doing as well as any automaker today .
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Reo Automobiles
The REO Motor Car Company of Lansing Michigan was founded in 1904 by Ransom E Olds after he left the Olds Motor Car Company which he had also founded . Reo manufactured cars from 1905 until 1936 and built trucks from 1905 until 1957 when it was assumed by the White Motor Company and became part of Diamond-Reo . Reo was very successful in its first years and by 1907 ranked #4 in sales . Reo opened a truck plant in St Catherines Ontario in 1910 . Ransom Olds retired as Manager of the company in 1915 and stepped down as president in 1923 . The company was doing well until the early 30s when an attempt to make car models in all price ranges failed .
In 1933 Ransom Olds reassumed the management of the company to try to rectify its problems but resigned in 1934 . In 1936 Reo quit making cars and built trucks only . In 1948 the company filed for bankruptsy and was then restructured . In 1954 the company was sold to Bohn Aluminium and Brass of Detroit and in 1957 Reo was taken over by White Motor Company and became part of Diamond-Reo as mentioned earlier .
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Continued on Autos of America History page 12
