The 2009 Pontiac G8 GT has an unusual claim to fame, as it is a car that was developed by one General Motors brand to be sold wearing the badge of another. So far, there’s nothing out of the ordinary. However, it is slightly rarer that both GM brands that had been powerhouses in their prime would cease to exist within a few short years of one another. Making our feature Pontiac more interesting is its ownership history. The G8 spent its early life traveling in a straight line as the chase vehicle for the legendary Lockheed U-2 high altitude reconnaissance plane known as the Dragon Lady. With its chase days behind it, the G8 is set to find a new home. Located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the Pontiac is listed for sale here at GovDeals. Bidding has raced to $24,200 with barely more than a day remaining on the auction.

For Australian readers, this Pontiac will look very familiar. General Motors sought a new full-size rear-wheel-drive passenger car platform suitable for world sales. The task fell to its Australian subsidiary, Holden, to provide the engineering expertise due to their continued involvement in the development and sales of such vehicles. Dubbed “The Billion Dollar Baby,” the Zeta was the most expensive platform produced by an Australian manufacturer. After a domestic launch as the Holden Commodore VE in 2006, the Zeta was sold in South Africa, Brazil, the UK, and North America. Our feature car presents nicely in its original Code 40 White. The paint holds an impressive shine, with no significant flaws or defects. It cloaks panels in a similar state, and it’s no surprise that the G8 remains rust-free. The Australian climate is pretty diverse, so Holden had placed considerable focus on rust-prevention strategies. A remarkable number of older cars have been spared the rigors of tin worm thanks to those efforts. It features a deep front spoiler, lip trunk lid spoiler, and side skirts to enhance aerodynamic efficiency. These appear free from damage, as are the original alloy wheels. Rounding out the package is a glass sunroof.

Just because this G8 was destined for Government service, there was no reason why occupants couldn’t experience their share of luxury. Therefore, this G8 comes fully loaded. Occupants receive leather seat trim, power windows, power locks with keyless entry, power seats, power exterior mirrors, cruise control, climate-control air conditioning, a leather-wrapped tilt wheel, and a premium stereo with a CD player. The leather upholstery is free from significant wear or issues, although it may benefit from applying a conditioning product to improve its presentation. The carpet is in good order, and there is no crumbling plastic requiring attention. The interior is spacious, capable of swallowing four adults in complete comfort and five in a pinch.

While buyers could order their 2009 G8 with a 3.6-liter V6 under the hood, the GT version brought a significant power increase courtesy of the 6.0-liter Chevrolet Generation IV V8. This beast churns out 361hp that finds its way to the rear wheels via a six-speed 6L80 automatic transmission. That combination makes the Pontiac a potent performer. If the owner pointed it at a ¼ mile, it should despatch the journey in 13.6 seconds before winding its way beyond 150mph. Proving that it is more than a pretty face, the G8 features four-wheel independent suspension, power steering, and enormous four-wheel power disc brakes with ABS. This G8 has led a fascinating life that deserves a quick mention. When the US government commissioned the Lockheed U-2, they sought a surveillance plane with enormous cruising potential. The result was an aircraft that could climb to 70,000 feet, which counts as the edge of space. Once there, it could remain aloft for twelve hours. The U-2 seemed to tick all the right boxes, but it had one fundamental weakness. It was at home at altitude, but it proved ungainly once firmly planted on Planet Earth. Pilot visibility is extremely poor, making take-offs and landings particularly dangerous. Rather than redesigning the entire aircraft to accommodate this weakness, the Government elected to utilise a guide vehicle for chasing the plane and assisting the pilot during these maneuvers. They used many vehicles throughout the years, and our feature G8 was one of them. Therefore, it has spent part of its life traveling in a straight line at high speed. That should have prevented the cobwebs from accumulating in that fantastic V8! The G8 recently received new brakes, tires, and a new transmission from General Motors. It runs and drives well and is ready for some relaxed long-distance touring.

History shows that the General Motors Zeta Platform that spawned the Australian Holen Commodore and the Pontiac G8 GT was a tactical error. The automotive world had begun to turn its back on full-size sedans, with their place being taken by minivans and SUVs. During its two-year sales run in the North American and Canadian market, a mere 35,000 cars found willing buyers. Considering the capital outlay required to produce the platform, it rates us one of automotive history’s great unsung sales disasters. Pontiac ceased to exist in 2010, while Holden followed suit on January 1st, 2021. It is unlikely that GM will revive either brand in the foreseeable future. Therefore, this 2009 G8 GT marks the end of the line for two iconic badges, making it worthy of preservation.