In 1965 Petoskey Motors released an update to the 432 cubic inch V8 used in the Meteor, the 1960s were an age that saw performance at a low price come into the fold and it was known that a top range sports car would not meet the same competition. Therefore it was decided to put this big engine into a lower cost vehicle thus heralding Petoskey Motors’ foray into the Muscle car era with the…
MONTAUK
The initial feedback on the car was stunning and the Montauk was a hit. Over the years the car received several updates to stay modernized. In 1969 improvements were made in both output and handling. The '69 Montauk was also much better suited to put the power from the 432 to the ground, something that was a tad shaky in the first design.
1972 saw an end to the 432 as a sports car engine due to the switch to unleaded fuel and the addition of catalytic converters. The Montauk now featuring a 301 cubic inch V8 as the top range engine proved lackluster in performance.
The Montauk received another update in 1976 with the addition of a unique 377 cubic inch flatplane V8. A stronger emphasis was placed on suspension and handling as well. In 1979, a special 301 Turbo was released.
The years from 1982 to 1993 saw the J body Montauk take to the streets. As the '80s went through no car saw a more transformative decade than the Montauk. The J body was the first Montauk to use a four cylinder engine as the base model. (Not the most popular model, can you imagine?) 1985 saw the introduction of Electronic Fuel Injection in the car. The Rally and Fastback models signified the top end for performance. In addition, 1985 was the twentieth anniversary for the Montauk, and a special twin turbo V6 model was released.
The car proved so popular that a more powerful intercooled version hit the streets in the '86-'87 model years.
In 1994 Petoskey Motors began production of the 301 TriForce V8. This was a giant leap into modern times as the engine proved far superior to the outgoing pushrod TBI motor. A limited edition Trance Am model was available for the '94-'96 model years using the 377 now used in the Meteor.
One of the shining moments came when the Montauk got a redesign in 2003 returning to a more retro style. The style was an instant hit as the car now boasted a bad boy attitude similar to the original. The new model also boasted the return of the RTX trim. For most of its run the car used a 301 TriForce V8. However, in 2013 it was time for something new and improved. Starting in 2008 Petoskey Motors began a modernization project called ADI (Advanced Design Initiative) The plan called for a gradual overhaul of Petoskeys lineup to bring the company more in tune with the 21st century. 2013 was the first year for the new 301 ScramJet V8. A high-revving DOHC bulletproof monster under the hood. With 100 more horsepower than the outgoing TriForce the Montauk saw a tremendous boost in performance.
In 2015 a special 50th anniversary edition was released. The new facelift provided mixed reactions as the more modern styling was offset by the fact that the new model was heavier and slightly slower. A special 522 horsepower version released last year helped a little, but it was clear reception was not as warm.
Why this breakdown of our history? Simple, to build up the suspense. You see, when we started talking about what we want out of the new generation, Dave Wilson said it couldn’t be done. Max Draper also said it couldn’t be done. Frank Stenning said it could be done, but as it turned out he was only kissing our asses. These men are now collecting unemployment. When we approached Paul Mowers with the proposal, he said “I’ll get to work on it right away.” This is the result…
Getting 555 horsepower out of a sports car is not difficult.
Getting 26 mpg from a car is not difficult.
Getting 26 mpg out of a 555 horsepower car on the other hand…
That is difficult…
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Until now!
**INTRODUCING THE NEW 2018 PETOSKEY MONTAUK RTX!
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That’s right, your eyes do not deceive you, 555 horsepower on tap, and a pleasant 25.9 MPG to boot. What is the secret? That would be telling. But fear not, part of the formula rests under the hood.
The 301 ScramJet was famous for high output with reasonable fuel consumption. Combining the raw power of the ScramJet with the sophistication of Petoskey’s EcoForce technology has developed the Triple Nickel. 555 horsepower for a fuel economy similar to a midsize sedan. The ultimate for the Fast and Frugal.