Just yesterday, GM Authority brought you images of the 1990 Cadillac Aurora concept in a state of decay in a GM lot, presumably set for a date with the scrap yard. Now, new spy photos reveal that GM is scrapping the 2001 Pontiac REV concept car, marking the end of another intriguing vehicle from the automaker’s design history. Like the 1990 Cadillac Aurora concept, the 2001 Pontiac REV concept was initially unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show.
The bright neon green 2001 Pontiac REV concept was spotted in a GM lot sandwiched between a Cadillac Lyriq and a Chinese-spec Cadillac XT4. The concept design originally drew inspiration from the world of rally racing and showcased a high-riding, adaptable suspension system that allowed it to increase ground clearance by two inches.
Designed by Adam Berry under the direction of Phil Zak, the Pontiac REV cradles a supercharged 3.0L V6 OHC engine. The engine was originally rated at 245 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque, and was mated to a five-speed sequential-shift manual transmission controlled through a video-game-like joystick. This drivetrain provided power to all four wheels, enhancing its off-road traction and performance.
The 2001 Pontiac REV concept also featured innovations like headlights that moved with the steering wheel to illuminate the road around corners, as well as a unique taillight array made up of 560 LEDs and sliding rear doors. Inside, it boasted three round LCD screens to provide the driver with essential information.
Despite its innovative features and rally-inspired design, the REV failed to make it to production, and is now headed to the scrapyard. Its rough condition, including missing taillight lenses and visible signs of battering, signals the unfortunate end for the unique one-off. Paired with the destruction of the 1990 Cadillac Aurora concept, it looks as though The General is cleaning house as it moves forward with its all-electric ambitions.
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Pontiac news, GM Design news, GM business news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
I will always have a Pontiac fetish. I see where G6 came from with a near identical belt line and profile
I love it!!
There was a G6 concept car too that was pretty much a G6 with better proportions.
I remember that G6 concept, maybe with todays tech it could have been built as is.
You’ve got to be kidding! Yuck, ugly and ugh!
It’s always kind of a shame when these concepts get scrapped. It’s one thing when test mule gets put to pasture, but at least the artistic exercise isn’t there.
Why not auction house it? There are one of a kind concepts that belong in collectors and museums hands.
1) They can’t be titled.
2) for liability reasons they can’t be sold.
That doesn’t stop concept cars from getting into private hands. Barrett-Jackson has offered concepts, race cars and test mules on a “bill of sale”.
GM lawyers being paid 10’s of millions of dollar per year, can’t come up with a simple liability waiver.
Okay, Izzy.
The car has no VIN, so it can’t be titled. You also can’t just make a car and sell it. It has to pass all of the government certifications, which this would not.
I wish we could all live in a world as simple as yours.
“I wish we could all live in a world as simple as yours”
Then you’ll be happy to know that the world is much closer to my perception of it than it is yours.
– Not having a title means nothing. Vehicles are sold every single day without titles.
– Concept cars do not require government certifications to be auctioned off as a collectible.
If anything you were saying were true, then Ford would not have been able to auction off their untitled 2004 Lincoln Mark X concept car, along with other prototypes at that time, yet they did. In lieu of a title, they simply provided a bill of sale.
Educate yourself.
First off, woah, second, the Ford recognized the liability for something like the Mark X, which has a high chance of fetching a fair value.
Why is that important compared to these lesser loved and known concepts? Well there is a significant legal liability associated with these cars. The cars themselves look nice, but aren’t exactly built to a visually similar standard, often being built in 3 months. To do all that, and even both with the hassle of selling it, you’d have to get a price thats several hundred thousand to even a million dollars. It’s just not worth it, especially if it doesnt sell for those prices. So they crush them.
Much like the Cadillac Aurora posted a few days ago, this is at the GM Milford Proving Grounds junk yard.
42.579332, -83.660651
Sadly, another concept car bites the dust, but one that honestly few remember until now. Rest assured that GM takes time to fully document any vehicle like this before it hits the highway in the sky.
A few things to note, whoever is doing this, is risking a great deal to get these pictures to you. No pictures are allowed to be shared externally from the Proving Grounds.
Another observation is that as you may recall, GM is in the process of moving its Heritage Center from Sterling Heights, MI to Grand Blanc, MI. This means that all of the back catalogue of vehicles that have just been stored away are now coming into the light of day, and for better or worse, having to prove they belong. Honestly, without these photos it would be hard to tell just how many concept cars from years past have gone away.
Just be thankful you had the chance to see it in the sunlight, one more time!
It looks like they are being taken from outside the property from the street.
Looks like this shot was taken from N Hickory Ridge Trail through the fence beside the gate. No risk, other than maybe getting rear-ended.
@Ken, @MrR: Upon further investigation, I think you’re right!
I don’t remember this vehicle….So basically, a somewhat uglier version of the 4th Gen Mitsu Eclipse.
Perhaps the outdated Pontiac stuff could be donated to the Pontiac Transportation Museum in Pontiac, MI- they would love to have it.
http://www.pontiactransportationmuseum.com
GM does not want to be reminded they once made interesting cars which people wanted to buy.
Who would want that ugly thing?? that is why no one wanted it from day one.
Remember the Aztec???? At least this is bearable.
I wonder how anyone gets in or out of any of those vehicles parked that close to each other?
The majority of the vehicle in this area are moved via forklift. No one cars if they get damaged since they are getting scrapped anyway.
Why would they be scraping the two Caddies which look like current vehicles and the pick up truck? test vehicles that have been beat to crap?
Yes, most of these are validation cars, sometimes the first 10 or 20 or more cars off the line, they have no full VIN, they are used to asses the assembly quality, sometimes they are torn down to see welds, disassembled and reassembled to test body repair procedures and service procedures, road tested, etc. etc.
Most test vehicles go through ringer, but not all. Regardless they can’t be sold. Once they are taken out of service they go to a lot. Most of the time they sit there indefinitely. Many get used as parts vehicles. eventually they all get scrapped.
Trash just like everything else gm builds.
This concept was Green-lighted for production but Canceled about 2003 or 04. I recall the Banshee name was considered. Remember Honda Crosstour SUV/Sedan/Wagon? Pontiac considered going down the same path, but budget cuts killed it.
Any insiders recall this?
So just curious…why are these pictures behind a gate like all secret?
I do see the first generation early year Pontiac Vibe Grill and fog lights😏
This concept was definitely a teaser for the Vibe. Even the interior with the round gauges and vents.