PontiFireFalcon's 1964 Pontiac Firebird

1964 Pontiac Banshee (GM XP-833)

About this Dream Vehicle:

Championed by then Pontiac chief John DeLorean and engineer Bill Collins, the Banshee, using parts gleaned from the Tempest, was Pontiac's idea in the mid-1960s of what an affordable sports car should be. Designed in both fastback and convertible forms, the swoopy styling echoed what would be the next Corvette, something that resonated within GM's product planners. Citing it as possible competition to the hallowed 'Vette, the Banshee project was killed and Pontiac was instead given a platform twin of the Camaro, the Firebird.

During its development it was called the XP-833 project. This car was a small two-seater with a long, sweeping hood and a short rear deck. Several different versions were constructed, but only two drivable prototypes were ever built. One was a silver hard-top with a straight six engine and the other is a white convertible with a V8. The styling on the cars is highly reminiscent of what appeared on third-generation Corvettes in 1968. Another styling cue that made production was the design of the tail lights, which are nearly identical to that found on second-generation Pontiac Firebirds.

At one point, both prototype cars were scheduled for demolition, but a man named Collins managed to snatch them away from the company in the late 1970's, both prototypes have traded hands several times over the past few decades. They survive today and are in the possession of private collectors.