Here at the Petoskey display we would like to start off with a few noteworthy historical models.
This particular number is a special treat, one of the fastest cars in the world at the time, and also among the rarest and expensive with only ten ever made, presenting the Ventnor Speedster:
When the second world war started to turn in favor of the Allies, the executives at Petoskey Motors’ Ventnor Luxury Division set out working on a high performance sports car.
The Ventnor Premium was discontinued due to the shift to war production, but blueprints were still handy for the gargantuan 571 V12 that drove the car. A special high performance version was designed for the smaller two-seater.
Prototype testing was underway by 1944, and by mid-1945, after the war in Europe ended, the Ventnor Speedster was ready for sale. However the immense R&D that went into the project left only ten models ever built. Unfortunately for Ventnor, there was minimal resources to allocate to the luxury brand as Petoskey Motors was focused on shifting back to peacetime production. As a result the Ventnor brand would remain defunct until a vehicle hit the showroom floor ten years later.
Unfortunately for Petoskey Motors, there were a number of labor disputes which broke down into a brutal mob war. The labor unions that many of the Petoskey factory workers belonged to were deeply involved and as a result, the majority of Petoskey factories were wiped out from fire bombing and industrial sabotage. Petoskey Motors had been working on a vehicle to replace the Model B which was cut short from production as a result of the mob war. This left the company putting all of its eggs in one basket as they only had the means to release one model. In 1951, the Indian made it’s debut.
The base model was designed around Petoskey’s 261 inline six, however the majority were equipped with war-surplus 360 V8s. An inexpensive engine that offered good service during the war.
The car was a major success with many buyers even preferring the thirstier but powerful V8. The 360 was a product for military vehicles contracted during the war. The post-war economy found the engines being placed in civilian utility vehicles.
The engine remained unchanged from it’s 1942 spec until the supplies ran out in 1956. With the exception of a performance model that was used for a sport version and a Police Special. The Indian is credited as being the “Car that saved Petoskey Motors”
The success of the Petoskey Indian opened up revenue for further expansion. As a result the Ventnor Luxury Division was able to make a comeback in 1955 with the Sovereign.
The Ventnor Sovereign was envisioned as a top of the line luxury sedan that was within reach of the common man. It was also the first vehicle by Petoskey Motors to be equipped with an automatic transmission.
Also making a first time appearance is the legendary 432 Big Block, an engine that would be used in various forms for 46 years.
The Sovereign marked Ventnors highly-anticipated return to the market. For decades to follow, Ventnors were built to the same uncompromising standards of luxury.
Moving on to present day, we have the new 2017 Montauk RTX.
It has been over a decade since the Montauk revived the aggressive styling of the past with great success. In production in one form or another for over fifty years, the Montauk remains Petoskey Motors’ most popular sports car.
While the first Montauk was an experiment involving cramming a big engine into a smaller car, the car evolved into a technological powerhouse combining sophisticated technology with raw American horsepower. The 301 ScramJet was introduced in 2013 as a replacement for the legendary but aging 301 TriForce. The end result is amazing performance with minimal fuel consumption and a solid design. For 2017, the ScramJet High Output offers 522 horsepower on tap, making it the most powerful Montauk ever built.
These refinements make the Montauk a solid muscle car for the 21st century.
Winter got you down? Rough roads and icy conditions make driving a chore? Look no further than the 2017 Stag Pickup.
For 2017, the Stag gets a face lift but externally does not appear all that different. Internally however, the Stag boasts a new 8RE7 transmission for increased towing capability and fuel efficiency.
The 402 V8 also sees a new upgrade with increased power output and fuel economy.
Whether you’re plowing snow, hauling a boat, or just plain muddin’ the Stag is the ultimate choice for pickups. Uncompromisingly rugged, and capable of transporting the entire work crew to the job site*
*Crew Cab model not shown.
Our final vehicle of interest on display is a trip back in time. In 1965 Petoskey Motors entered the super car arena with the Ventnor Bambino. The 1970-71 Bambinos featured a complex fuel injection system and even greater power output and luxurious interiors. The second gen Bambinos were the most sought after by collectors. Today, Ventnor has returned to the super car fray with a modern day descendant of the classic namesake.
The somewhat simplistic design underlies a remarkable machine. Easily underestimated by using a 3.5L V6 many would look at the Bambino and wonder why they would choose it over any other.
For starters, the 3.5L V6 just happens to use the patented EcoForce technology to deliver 439 horsepower on tap. Despite being a relatively low power output, the Bambino makes the most of it. In a way it is a David to the Goliaths that dominate the super car world.
The 213 EcoForce was originally developed for the 2010 Petoskey Owosso Police Interceptor. There has been an inter-company rivalry between the development teams over the 213 EcoForce and the 301 ScramJet. The ScramJet has in the past proven to be superior in both output and fuel efficiency, however, the deployment in the Bambino has shown that the 213 EcoForce is not to be counted out yet.
While Petoskey Motors has a number of models, these particular are the highlights we wish to display at this time.
