Pontiac Buggy Company | Pontiac Spring & Wagon Works | Oakland Motor Car


	In 1893 Edward M. Murphy establishes the Pontiac Buggy Company in Pontiac, Michigan producing horse-drawn carriages thru 1906.

	In 1899 the Pontiac Spring & Wagon Works is incorporated by Albert North and Harry Hamilton. They build the first Pontiac car in 1907.

	In 1907 as it becomes clear that motor car sales are surpassing carriages, Edward Murphy incorporates the Oakland Motor Car Company, an offshoot of his Pontiac Buggy Company.

	The first Oakland uses an unusual Alanson Brush designed, two-cylinder vertical engine which rotates counterclockwise. The engine works but the car does not sell well.

	In January of 1909 Murphy sells half the Oakland Motor Car Company to William Durant. The Oakland finds itself as the charter member in Durant's newly formed General Motors empire.

	The 1909 Oakland is upgraded to a more standard four-cylinder engine and sells reasonably well.

	Murphy dies unexpectedly that summer of 1909 and a few months later General Motors purchases full control of Oakland.

	In 1916 the Oakland is available with a four, six or an all new V8 engine and its sales increases to 24,000 units.

	Oakland is successful as it enters the 1920's, but production and quality control problems began to plague the division. Under the leadership of a new GM President, a committee of company executives is formed to create a new car line under Oakland to fill the price gap between Chevrolet and Oldsmobile.

	The 1924 Oakland gets a new L-head six-cylinder engine, four-wheel brakes and DuPont's new Duco lacquer bright blue finish. The car is promoted as the "True Blue Oakland Six."

	The first Pontiac branded car, the "Chief of the Sixes", debuts at the 1926 New York Auto Show as a companion marquee to Oakland. Priced under $900 it sells over 76,000 its first year setting an industry record.

	In mid 1926 Pontiac begins to build a $15 million assembly plant in Pontiac, Michigan. It's the largest construction project in the U.S. that year, and becomes known as the "daylight" plant for its architectural use of glass.

	In 1932 the Oakland Motor Company becomes the Pontiac Motor Company. Pontiac becomes the only companion marquee to survive the General Motors Companion Make Program.

	1933 Pontiac Motor Company changes its name to the Pontiac Motor Division

	In 1936 Pontiac builds its 1 millionth car and adopts its trademark Silver Streak chrome ribbons which sweep down the hood.

	In 1938 Pontiac pioneers the column mounted gearshift, and moves to an all steel body construction.

	In 1941 Pontiac debuts engine options, giving buyers a selection of engines. Production soars but on March 1, 1941, Pontiac begins building Oerlikon 20 mm anti-aircraft cannons for the Navy.

	Pontiac builds its last car in February of 1942 and starts building automatic field guns for the Army, front axles for the M-5 tank as well as aircraft-launched torpedoes for the Navy.

	In 1946 the first post war Pontiacs are released, essentially unchanged from the 1942 models, they are still highly regarded by a car hungry country.

	In 1952 the four millionth Pontiac is built and the Pontiac Motor Division celebrates its 25th anniversary.

	In 1955 Pontiac had more changes than any since 1926. There were 109 new features, including three new bodies. For the first time Pontiac sold more than a half million cars in a single model year. The new overhead valve, 287 cubic inch V8 engine was smaller, more rigid, and able to achieve top speeds of over 90 mph.

	The "I Love Lucy Show" debuts a series of episodes in 1955 with Lucy, Ricky, Fred and Ethel driving a '55 Pontiac Star Chief convertible cross country to California.