1990 Pontiac Trans Sport SE Quick Look

[69Firebird400]

My mom had a white 1990 TransSport SE back in 1991. I was really into Pontiacs at the time, and I thought it was so cool that my mom's van was so similar styling-wise to my white 1987 Grand Am, down to the white painted alloy wheels.

The driving position was definitely very odd. The sensation was that you were sitting in the back seat while driving. The seats were very light and easy to remove/reconfigure. However, the interior was not very spacious compared to the Chrysler vans of the day.

The dashboard was probably between 2 1/2 feet and 3 feet long; it was very odd. Later years added some carpeting and a little shelf to the dash to give the illusion that it was shorter.

An interesting concept by GM, but their execution and styling were just off the mark.

My dad, a used car dealer, used to buy and sell a ton of these vans (also Silhouettes and Lumina APVs) in the early 1990s.

[GMC-70]

These were made in Tarrytown NY. I visited the factory way back in 91 while I was working for a local Pontiac dealer on LI. I got to drive one all the way back. I liked the van simply becuase it was so differnent at the time. The counter-top dashboard didn't bother me one bit as it was actually very convenient and could double as a snack tray at any time.

If I am not mistaken these were the last GM autos to be produced in NY as the factory closed with the introduction of next generation vans.

[377Z]

Originally Posted by Uzzy

...I used to do the parking lot slalom in between the islands at speeds that looked like I could tip it at any moment. I used to squeeze it in and out of the tightest spots too. I drove the thing like it was compact car, but clearly it was not. I had some fun in that stupid thing. I guess it wasn't that werid to me, since I haden't really driven anything else before. My very first times behind the wheel were behind that thing.
...

Sounds exactly like my experiences with the family's '84 Toyota Van. I remember my folks bought the Toyota because all the dealers were sold out of Caravans/Voyagers (which turned out to be a good thing, judging by how some friends' families ChryCo vans held up). I actually miss that tough little thing.

[69Firebird400]

Originally Posted by 377Z

Sounds exactly like my experiences with the family's '84 Toyota Van. I remember my folks bought the Toyota because all the dealers were sold out of Caravans/Voyagers (which turned out to be a good thing, judging by how some friends' families ChryCo vans held up). I actually miss that tough little thing.

I know this isn't the van that you're talking about, but the early 1990s Toyota Previa was actually closer to what the TransSport should have looked like. Too bad it was underpowered with a mid-engine four banger!


Edit: One cool thing I forgot about the original TransSport is that later models in that first generation had an optional power sliding door. How innovative!

[91 s-10baja]

Originally Posted by 69Firebird400

I know this isn't the van that you're talking about, but the early 1990s Toyota Previa was actually closer to what the TransSport should have looked like. Too bad it was underpowered with a mid-engine four banger!


Edit: One cool thing I forgot about the original TransSport is that later models in that first generation had an optional power sliding door. How innovative!

I agree the concept trans sport looked more like the previa
Here is the preview of the previa, it is wierd that the engines were actually laid down on thier sides!

+ YouTube Video

[GMC-70]

Originally Posted by 69Firebird400

I know this isn't the van that you're talking about, but the early 1990s Toyota Previa was actually closer to what the TransSport should have looked like. Too bad it was underpowered with a mid-engine four banger!


Edit: One cool thing I forgot about the original TransSport is that later models in that first generation had an optional power sliding door. How innovative!

Ah---the old eggmobile.....!

[ksr]

GM got off to a decent start in the minivan market. Then they didn't progress.

Those removable individual seats were a first. It made the van very flexible.

When I moved from DC to Pittsburgh, I rented a Trans Sport. Took out all the seats and packed it to the roof with a good portion of my stuff. Could have used another 30 horsepower, but it did the job.

My sister's family had a Lumina APV that lasted forever. They topped 200,000 miles on it.

[ksr]

Originally Posted by GMC-70

Ah---the old eggmobile.....!

The Previa shape always had a cartoonish quality to my eyes. It looks similar to something I think I saw the Flinstones towing around.