Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/Napoli Classics
Everybody likes rare cars, and one-of-a-kind models have long been extremely desirable in the collectors' world. Yet, this 1-of-1 Pontiac can't find a new home approximately two years after first landing online.
Few people remember the Banshee, and you can't blame them. It's an unreleased Pontiac model that got the axe before even getting the chance to reach mass production. Developed by John DeLorean, the Banshee was a prototype whose "production" came down to only a handful of models.
The first was the XP-833, which was created in 1964. A four-seater version landed later as XP-851, while the XP-858 left the drawing board days after GM's big honchos decided the project's demise. Eventually, the design team at Pontiac created the XP-798 in 1966.
The XP-833, which is now looking for a new home, is a one-of-a-kind project whose fate changed overnight because General Motors was afraid it could cannibalize the Corvette. Truth be told, the similarities are obvious, and GM didn't want Pontiac and Chevrolet to fight over the same audience. The Banshee was eventually used to design the late-'60s Corvette.
The prototype hit the market in 2020, when it could be had by anyone willing to pay $750,000. The health crisis that turned the world upside-down also turned car prices upside-down, so the Banshee price increased to $1.2 million in 2022.
Two years later, the Pontiac prototype is still looking for a wealthy collector, this time with a $1 million price tag. It retains its previous specifications, so it still has $1.498 miles on the clock. It's powered by a six-cylinder engine paired with a four-speed manual transmission.
The garage says the Banshee left Pontiac when an engineer involved in the project insisted on taking the car home. The prototype was stored in hiding until 2006 when the owner passed. It appeared at several car shows but has never hit the road, as its mileage has remained untouched since it left storage.
Nothing has been changed on this prototype, and it remains as original as on day one. It's basically how Pontiac developed the prototype, so whoever buys it will get a unique car that has never been altered in any way.
The museum-grade Pontiac is unlikely to sell soon, especially because it remains a super-expensive car. It's a Corvette killer that's so rare that not even wealthy collectors are willing to pay its price, so I'll see you in two years when the price will probably be updated again. Meanwhile, if you want to see this car in person, you can contact the garage and book a ticket to Milford, Connecticut. If you believe $1 million is too much, this car isn't for you, albeit the garage also offers financing options.
The first was the XP-833, which was created in 1964. A four-seater version landed later as XP-851, while the XP-858 left the drawing board days after GM's big honchos decided the project's demise. Eventually, the design team at Pontiac created the XP-798 in 1966.
The XP-833, which is now looking for a new home, is a one-of-a-kind project whose fate changed overnight because General Motors was afraid it could cannibalize the Corvette. Truth be told, the similarities are obvious, and GM didn't want Pontiac and Chevrolet to fight over the same audience. The Banshee was eventually used to design the late-'60s Corvette.
The prototype hit the market in 2020, when it could be had by anyone willing to pay $750,000. The health crisis that turned the world upside-down also turned car prices upside-down, so the Banshee price increased to $1.2 million in 2022.
Two years later, the Pontiac prototype is still looking for a wealthy collector, this time with a $1 million price tag. It retains its previous specifications, so it still has $1.498 miles on the clock. It's powered by a six-cylinder engine paired with a four-speed manual transmission.
The garage says the Banshee left Pontiac when an engineer involved in the project insisted on taking the car home. The prototype was stored in hiding until 2006 when the owner passed. It appeared at several car shows but has never hit the road, as its mileage has remained untouched since it left storage.
Nothing has been changed on this prototype, and it remains as original as on day one. It's basically how Pontiac developed the prototype, so whoever buys it will get a unique car that has never been altered in any way.
The museum-grade Pontiac is unlikely to sell soon, especially because it remains a super-expensive car. It's a Corvette killer that's so rare that not even wealthy collectors are willing to pay its price, so I'll see you in two years when the price will probably be updated again. Meanwhile, if you want to see this car in person, you can contact the garage and book a ticket to Milford, Connecticut. If you believe $1 million is too much, this car isn't for you, albeit the garage also offers financing options.
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