Jim Wangers death

[rocketraider]

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/jim-wangers-godfather-of-the-gto-passed/

 

Another legend gone. We won't see a rebel and boundary-pusher like Wangers within gm ever again.

[Gary56]

Rip

[Pfeil]

Pontiac and (Oldsmobile fans indirectly) Have a lot to be thankful for to Jim Wangers. Although Jim only worked for Pontiac's add agency, for an outsider Jim had quite a lot to do with the direction Pontiac would take from 1959-1970, and some work into the mid 70's (like CanAm Pontiac's.

One of his first task asked by Pontiac General Manager Bunkie Knudsen was to be the link between the factory and dealerships in regard to racing sponsorship and funneling racing parts to these willing dealers. The first Pontiac dealership to do this was Royal Pontiac. Wangers had a close relationship with this dealer and also raced for them after a Royal driver crashed the 1959 Catalina race car. From 1960 to 1963 he drove in S/SS and in 1963 BF/X 

Note, Frank Rediker a local Olds Mech. Came up the Royal Bobcat treatment (tune up and engine blueprinting). After working at the Olds dealer all day, Rediker would come over to Royal and work at night on the race car.

 

 

It is interesting to note that Wangers had complete control of Pontiac's Press fleet and had his cars prepped (Royal Bobcatted) to his liking. This by the way produced some famous "Ringer" cars like The Car and Driver 1964 GTO.

 

Pete Estes, John Delorean and Wangers, and Wangers through his friend George Hurst were able to convince top G.M. brass that by using another brand such as "Hurst" shifters on a Pontiac that it would help create sales. Before that it was against G.M. company policy. This act of boldness allowed Pontiac Factory installed Hurst shifters in 1964, Hurst Oldsmobile's etc. This became standard practice in the whole industry later.

 

Years later after all this went away Jim, who now lived in San Diego County always supported the Pontiac clubs all over the country and was always at events. There was never a problem talking to Jim as he was always available to all. A real nice guy, a car guy.

 

Edited May 3, 2023 by Pfeil (see edit history)