Jim Wangers may not have invented the Pontiac GTO, but there is no doubt that he understands the importance of creative marketing. As the legendary “ad man” for Pontiac, he is credited as being the marketer behind the GTO and several other Pontiac specialty cars. Wangers helped establish the “musclecar” of the sixties and to create a niche in the history of American car marketing.
Wangers was born in Chicago and we are proud to announce that Jim will be returning to his home town to be a part of the launch of the new Nickey Chicago Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals, Presented by Bill Stasek Chevrolet, November 21-22, 2009.
Throughout the sixties, Wangers worked in various capacities in the auto industry, where he started in the advertising field in New York City after a stint in the Navy. His passion for horsepower eventually led to his involvement with Pontiac, and he landed in Detroit working for Pontiacs ad agency, McManus, John and Adams. A “hands-on” car guy, he even drove a Catalina Coupe to the divisions first-ever NHRA drag racing title in 1960 at the Nationals in Detroit.
Royal Pontiac in Royal Oak, Michigan became the “unofficial” testing garage for Pontiac's high performance cars and equipment, and Wangers is credited with organizing the Royal Pontiac program. It is considered to this day as one of the most respected and important Pontiac performance sources of the sixties and seventies. The “Royal Bobcat” package cars were revered and are now some of the most sought-after collectible muscle cars ever built.
One of Wangers most remembered feats involved a pair of 1964 GTO's and a certain Ferrari bearing a similar name, and Car and Driver magazine. Although Ferrari chose not to participate, Wangers and his crew pressed on and earned a cover story that will never be forgotten by the Pontiac faithful. This was indeed muscle car history in the making!
Perhaps the single car that Wangers was closest to, (which remains his personal favorite), is the 1969 GTO Judge. With its 60” spoiler, wild graphics and outrageous Carousel Red signature paint, it remains as one of the most recognized and popular muscle machines ever built. After the introduction of the Judge, Esquire magazine credited Wangers as “the man who invented Woodward Avenue.” Perhaps this is due to the late night “testing” sessions that he was known for!
Today, at age 83, Jim is as active as ever. His greatest joys are gained by spending time with enthusiasts of all ages. We are honored to have Jim Wangers, “The Godfather of the GTO,” as a special guest at the Nickey Chicago Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals. Wangers will be appearing Saturday along with one of the original 1964 Royal Bobcat GTO's from the famous Car and Driver article, and on Sunday as part of the Supercar Automotive display.
The Nickey Chicago Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals will take place November 21-22, 2009 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, (greater Chicago), Illinois. The show features nearly 500 of the country's finest and rarest collectible cars along with a variety of all automotive vendors offering goods and services. A Collector Car Corral will also offer select cars for sale.
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