Pontiac 1955–1958: Performance Solidified

New for 1955 was the 180 Horsepower Pontiac OHV V-8. It dramatically changed the brand — forever.

The 1955 Pontiac V8 was not that division’s first venture into a V-style eight-cylinder engine configuration. In 1932 a one-year-only version of the Oakland L-head V8 was produced for the newly minted Pontiac Motor Division. Bad timing in the depths of the Great Depression forced the option into retirement after only one year and 6,281 cars were produced.