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One of the most popular and best-looking show cars from the talented GM Design staff during the late 1980s was the 1989 Pontiac Stinger. It was a great design developed and created under the direction of Chuck Jordan.
The Stinger was designed for both business and leisure. Ed Benson, director of marketing and product planning for Pontiac in 1989, said the following: “We looked at the marketplace and the increased interaction between small sporty vehicles, fun-to-drive, outdoor vehicles. There is an emerging interest in the young group primarily 35 and under for special sport vehicles that fully express their unique lifestyles.”
Some automotive historians have called the 1989 Pontiac Stinger show car one of the long-lost concept cars. During the 1980s, demographic changes indicated the younger market wanted more driving excitement and used their vehicles to explore the country and experience fun outdoors. In response, GM designed the Stinger concept for the younger generation. Since younger buyers liked to spend time at the beach, the Stinger likely would have been very popular in Florida and California.
Chrysler’s Jeep models were immensely popular during the 1980s, as sport-utility vehicles began to take a great hold on the consumer market. Pontiac’s marketing theme was “We Build Excitement” during the late 1980s and early 90s, and much excitement was designed into the 1989 Pontiac Stinger concept.
The Stinger was so different from other vehicles of the era. It offered a great-looking open-top, along with a dune buggy-influenced design. The sleek nose front-end design is paired with a great-looking neon green color.
The Stinger concept came equipped with an Iron Duke-based 3.0-liter four-cylinder engine. It offered a great deal of storage space, a cellular phone and a CD player, a camping table, biking begs, and a garden hose for that outdoor adventure. The interior was excellent, with many new and exciting innovations like electric memory seats, a steering wheel, and a stylish control panel. The seats were made of a new wet suit-type material and a removable cushion that could turn into great-looking beach chairs. The roof panel was removable, and new great-looking raised rear seats for the passengers. The Stinger was a great all-purpose utility design different from most comparable vehicles.
While the 1989 Stinger was unique, it could still be recognized as a Pontiac model and part of the General Motors design family. The active-lifestyle concept model featured familiar Pontiac styling cues.
In conclusion, the Pontiac Stinger show car was never manufactured for the consumer market. It has been displayed more recently at car shows like the POCI convention and the popular “Eyes On Design” classic car show held annually on Father’s Day. The Pontiac Stinger and its unique design will always be remembered as a great-looking sport-utility concept.
Source: Keefe, Don. “The 89 Pontiac Stinger - Department X Pontiac Concept Car.” “Pontiac Designs the SUV We’re Still Waiting For.” Hot Rod Magazine. August 22, 2007.
Images: Concept Car Central; General Motors Corp.
