Proof of Concept Car #1

[Bogie]

A "Proof of Concept" (POC) car is one of the first developments where the manufacture goes beyond "show" (as in a show car) and begins to work out the specifics of what will eventually become a production car. The first Solstice POC was ready in May of 2003. I found the following blurb, on pg 53 of the Pontiac Solstice Book, of particular interest (emphasis added):

"POC#1 was fairly rough, with a bolt-on hadtop and Velcro-mounted GPS to indicate vehicle speed. On a Friday, POC #1 went to our Milford proving grounds for testing, and the next morning, Bob Lutz joined us to evaluate the vehicle. But that drive ended in a hurry when the differential failed due to lack of oil".

Edit: Dammit, did it again. This should be in the General section, not "Getting your Saturn SKY" section.

[Barry]

Interesting.

[dengel]

Interesting, I wonder if they were already using the Gertrag diff that is on the cars now, or if they had a different one on the POC.

[Bogie]

Originally Posted by dengel

Interesting, I wonder if they were already using the Gertrag diff that is on the cars now, or if they had a different one on the POC.

My guess would be yes. Probably not in the show car, but I'll bet even money they had it in POC #1. The were pulling all these parts from major programs. The differential came from the Cadillac CTS line, and I believe it was available at the time POCs were assembled.