Yahoo Autos 2001 Pontiac REV Concept Gets Saved from the Crusher
General Motors will not crush the 2001 Pontiac REV concept, after all.
The automaker donated the REV to the Pontiac Transportation Museum, a new institution that will have its grand opening celebration on July 27.
The museum plans to restore the one-of-a-kind REV concept.
Earlier this year, our spy photographer captured the 2001 Pontiac REV concept sitting in a scrapyard used by General Motors. The high-riding four-door sports car looked destined for the automotive afterlife. Now we know the REV was saved and will undergo a full restoration.
The Pontiac Transportation Museum explores the history of the Pontiac brand and is situated outside Detroit in the city of Pontiac, Michigan. While exploring some of the facility's back rooms, an eagle-eyed Car and Driver reader stumbled upon the REV and snapped some photos of the vehicle.
We spoke with Tim Dye, the museum's executive director of the museum, to learn a bit more about the museum's plans for the REV. Dye told us that GM donated the REV to the institution, along with the Pontiac Sunfire Speedster concept from 1994.
The museum intends to restore the REV completely, which will certainly be a challenge given its one-of-a-kind hand-made nature and the current state of the car. Based on the photos sent to us, the REV appears to be in a dilapidated state. Its bodywork is damaged, its wheels and tires are unaccounted for, and the windshield and hood seem to be missing.
Interestingly, the photos reveal the concept's 245-hp supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine came from a Saturn, likely the L81 engine used in the L-Series sedan and first-generation Vue crossover.
No doubt, it will take a herculean effort to return the REV to its former glory. Fortunately one of the museum's volunteers used to build concept cars at GM. Dye shared with us that this person will lead the team tasked with restoring the nearly 25-year-old concept car.
The Pontiac Transportation Museum has been five years in the making, largely supported by donations and volunteers, and its grand opening is set for July 27. We don't know how long it will take to complete the REV's restoration, but we're glad to know this Pontiac concept car will once again look as good as the day it debuted at the 2001 Chicago auto show.
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