1967 Pontiac Grand Prix

As high-speed, limited-access highways were built across the nation in the 1960s, exploring America in a "king of the road" like this 1967 Pontiac Grand Prix convertible became the ultimate driving experience. In 1967 Guenther and Siewchin Yong Sommer set out to see America and visit as many natural and historic sites as possible. During the next 32 years they drove this car 150,000 miles, visiting 251 national parks, monuments, memorials, forests, historic sites, historic parks, seashores, recreation areas, historic trails, and scenic areas. They stayed on the road as long as a month at a time, sometimes sleeping in the car. The Sommers drove to all 49 continental states, including a trip to Alaska on the old Alaska Highway. Mrs. Sommer donated this all-original Pontiac to the Smithsonian in 1999.

More horsepower, style, comfort, and the pleasures of driving-these were the qualities that appealed to owners of "performance cars" like the Pontiac Grand Prix in the 1960s. Americans were devoting more time to leisure activities on and off the road, and fast, sporty luxury cars became popular among drivers of all ages. Pontiac's performance models helped define this market. The Grand Prix typified this era with its sleek shape, rakish fenders, and optional 428 cubic-inch V-8 engine, as well as the race car heritage of its name. Pontiac manufactured the Grand Prix convertible only in 1967.