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U-2 Chaser: 2009 Pontiac G8 GT

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.

Comments

  1. Avatar Tom71Mustangs Member

    Cool find with a neat history! The USAF also used 5.0 Fox-bodied Mustangs with the SSP package as U2 chase vehicles. Pretty cool!

    Like 8
    • Avatar 67Firebird_Cvt Member

      If I understand its use correctly, isn’t it more accurate to call it a lead vehicle?

      Like 0
    • Avatar Jwzg

      And a few B4C Camaros

      Like 3
  2. Avatar Terrry

    Not a bad car, but it’s roots also lay in the far-better 2003-2006 GTO.

    Like 7
    • Avatar CCFisher

      What made it far better? Having two doors or having the gas tank in the trunk?

      Like 3
      • Avatar Mikefromthehammer

        I hate to put words in someone’s mouth but I think Terrry was trying to say that it wasn’t a brand new vehicle but an evolution (re-design) of an existing model. I think the term “far better” was his subjective opinion and could relate to many different things including styling. We’ll see what he says if, and when, he responds to your query.

        Like 3
    • Avatar Karl

      I would take a G8 over one of those GTO’s any day.

      Like 5
  3. Avatar Mikefromthehammer

    Oh the horrors. Someone removed Canada from North America. What evil mastermind performed this dastardly deed?

    Like 3
    • Avatar scottymac

      Someone named Trudeau?

      Like 6
  4. Avatar W72WW3

    Lots and lots of Holden specific parts have been canceled by GM CCA (Confused Conceited & Arrogant) in the past few years. Diligence is advised for spare parts requests on ALL major wear items from interior, sensors, and trim.

    Like 3
    • Avatar Lynn Dockey Member

      That s what scared me about my 14 SS. Parts manager told me straight away. GTO parts were hard to get and he thought the SS wouldn’t be any better

      Like 2
  5. Avatar 4 bbl

    These cars were run very hard and the mileage reflects lots of 100 + mph thus the replacement of the transmission. I would be very hesitant on purchasing this unit.

    Like 3
  6. Avatar JC

    12.50% buyers premium…on the current bid thats an additional $3025… umm, no way.

    Like 2
  7. Avatar jwzg

    I rented one of these in Wichita Kansas in 2008. I had originally rented a sub compact, but when I got there the only thing they had was a minivan. I asked for something else and they gave me the choice of a BMW 1-series or the G8 GT. Gas was over $4 a gallon, but I beat that thing like a borrowed mule. It remains to this day one of the top three driving and riding cars I’ve ever experienced.

    Like 4
  8. Avatar Keith D.

    Man I miss the Pontiac division! WHY! I’ve only owned 2 Pontiacs in my lifetime. An 81 Parisienne coupe Black w/Grey Velour “Brougham” I bought it in 1994 and a 90 Bonneville SSE White w/Tan leather I bought in 2000. Both were great vehicles. When I was a kid my father owned a 67 Executive and years later he owned an 81 Bonneville Brougham 4-door which I wanted to buy it from him because he never drove it, kept it parked and chose to drive his plain 76 Buick Century 4-door that had no style at all, but my father was never a car guy he bought anything to get back and forth to work. Nevertheless, it was a very sad moment for me when GM took Pontiac out of production in 2009. That along with Oldsmobile in 2004. :-(

    Like 1
    • Avatar nycbjr Member

      Agreed 100 percent, keeping Buick was a mistake, also why the need for GMC and Chevy trucks? still hoping they resurrect Pontiac as a electric division!!

      Like 0
      • Avatar greg

        Pontiac….Electric????? NO NO NO!

        Like 1
  9. Avatar Claudio

    Its true that i drive a four door fully loaded awd suv as i live in snow country but only because they don’t make a two door so, this is a car i would never own but it has an impressive set up
    The gto would have gotten me if they had made it topless

    Awd for winter and topless for summer
    Yolo

    Like 0
  10. Avatar joenywf64

    Wasn’t the later RWD australian Impala (imported for the states) essentially the same car underneath as this G8?
    Surprised it & this did not sell well.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Lynn Dockey Member

      They were commodores in the land down under. Chevy SS in the states. Google vauxhaul cars. That one was supercharged from factory.

      Like 0
  11. Avatar trav66

    Responding to nycbjr, an old friend of mine is a GM dealer technician so when they axed Pontiac I asked him why. He said that China consumers preferred Buicks and that is why Pontiac went the way of the dodo bird. What a shame, this 40k mile, 6.0 G-8 sold for less than a new imported rattle-trap and gets about the same mpg. The electric car pipe dream is not sustainable, what happens when a hurricane takes out the power grid for a month?

    Like 2
  12. Avatar W72WW3

    The main reason Pontiac Division was whacked was due to the Obama administration bail out of GM. GM federal money specified no “sporty” car divisions ( despite badge engineered wonders as the G3 and G5).

    Like 1
    • Avatar Mikefromthehammer

      So why didn’t GM axe Chevrolet then as well? Are Corvettes and Camaros not sporty?

      Like 0
      • Avatar Keith D.

        Exactly Thank you

        Like 1
    • Avatar Keith D.

      Ha Ha! Really?

      Like 0
  13. Avatar PRA4SNW

    SOLD for an out the door price of $27,225.

    Like 0

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