Brochstein started by tossing out the old-school rear tailgate found on the back of most station wagons. Instead, he strolled yet another path never taken by doing away with the tailgate completely. In fact, nothing on the back of this car opened, including the rear window that stretched across its entire width. His solution to this odd design choice was to double down on another and install two massive gullwing windows on either side, giving plenty of access to the cargo area. In theory, people could reach in and grab groceries, stuff in a Christmas tree (albeit a tiny one), or let the kids climb through.
Oh, and there wasn’t a second set of passenger doors for folks to get into the back seats. You either had to climb through the previously mentioned gullwing windows or bend and twist your way behind the front seats. This two-door station wagon had to keep its sporty vibe and not stink like a conventional family truckster.
In 1997, Pontiac mocked up a concept and showed it to Bill Mitchell, VP of design at the time. He was so impressed that he ordered two full models with all-steel construction be built, not in the good ole US of A by his company, but by renowned Ferrari designer Sergio Pininfarina. Over in Italy, of all places. Why? Because Pininfarina and his team were experienced in making cars with short production runs. Plus, it had the “Ferrari” cachet.
One of the concepts had a gold exterior with a matching beige interior, while the second was painted a lustrous silver and came with a bright red interior (via Story Cars). Stop gagging… it was the ’70s.
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