Pontiac Astre SJ Safari

Wagon - 75

The Pontiac Astre is a subcompact automobile that was

marketed by the Pontiac division of General Motors as a

rebadged variant of the Chevrolet Vega. Initially

marketed in Canada for model years 1973-1974, the Astre

debuted in the U.S. for the 1975 model year, competing

with other domestic and foreign subcompacts that

included the Mercury Bobcat and Toyota Corolla.

Built on the H-body platform, the car was available in hatchback, notchback, wagon, and  panel delivery body styles. The Astre shared the aluminum-block 2.3 liter inline-four engine  with the Vega through 1976, while the final 1977 models used Pontiac's all-iron 2.5 liter  inline-four engine. The Astre was cancelled with the Vega at the end of the 1977 model year,  although the wagon continued for 1978 and 1979, rebadged as part of the Pontiac Sunbird  line. 

Design

In 1968 GM chairman James Roche announced that General Motors would produce a new mini- car in the U.S. in two years. Pontiac's own small car program had been rejected. Not only did  corporate management make the decision to enter the mini-car market, it also decided to  develop the car itself. It was a corporate car, not a divisional one. Ed Cole formed a GM  corporate design team exclusively for the Chevrolet Vega headed by William Munser, who had  worked on the Camaro. The Pontiac Division was given its own version of the Vega for the  Canadian market, named Astre for the 1973 model year. U.S. Pontiac dealers finally had a  subcompact to sell when the Astre made its U.S. debut for the 1975 model year. The Astre used the Vega 140 cu in (2.3-liter) inline-four engine through 1976. The engine  features an aluminum-alloy cylinder block and cast-iron cylinder head with a single overhead  camshaft (OHC). 1977 models featured Pontiac's 151 cu in (2.5-liter) inline-four engine with a  cast-iron block and head with overhead valves (OHV). Transmissions are the three- and four-  speed manual, five-speed manual with overdrive (1976–1977 option) and the three-speed  automatic.  The Astre has a 97.0-inch (2,460 mm) wheelbase and a 65.4-inch (1,660 mm) width. The front  suspension is short and long control arms with coil springs; the rear suspension is a four-link  design with coil springs. A torque-arm design rear suspension replaced the four-link design  starting with the 1976 models. The Astre is a rear wheel drive vehicle with a live rear axle.  Steering is of a recirculating ball type with a power assist option. The brake system features  front disc brakes with solid rotors, and rear drum brakes. Power assist was optional starting  in the 1975 model year. 

Models and changes

The Astre features Pontiac's trademark split grill, emblems and steering wheel with an  upgraded interior trim to help differentiate itself from the Chevrolet Vega. Other styling  differences compared to the Vega include — 1973 model Astres have a black-finish grill and  clear parking lamp lenses on all models, and chrome headlight bezels on non-GTs. Taillight  lenses (same as the Vega) had a chrome trim piece surround. 1974-1977 models have first  generation Firebird-styled taillights (also shared with the 1973/74 Ventura) on the Notchback  and Hatchback. The Hatchback Coupe featured a lower roofline and a fold-down rear seat. The Notchback  Sedan had the lowest price and is the only Vega model with an enclosed trunk. The Safari  Wagon has fixed rear-side glass and a swing-up liftgate. A Panel delivery based on the wagon  was sold through the 1975 model year. It has steel panels in place of the rear-side glass, and  an additional enclosed storage area. An auxiliary front passenger seat was optional.  The SJ Hatchback and SJ Safari Wagon models feature soft nylon upholstery, cut pile  carpeting, padded and cloth covered door panels, and a fabric headliner, plus rally  instruments, the higher-output two barrel engine, four-speed or automatic (over a three-  speed manual) gearbox and radial tires. A GT package option for the hatchback and Safari  wagon combined the lower-line interior with the SJ's performance and handling features. The 1974 model year brought the only major body design changes, due to revised front and  rear 5 mph (8.0 km/h) bumper standards-A slanted header panel with a new split grill and  recessed headlamp bezels complement the larger, front 5 mph aluminum bumper. Front and  rear license plate brackets were relocated and a larger rear 5 mph aluminum bumper was  used increasing the overall length three inches compared to the 1973 models. A revised rear  panel on notchback and hatchback models had new Firebird-styled taillights and ventilation  extractor grills were eliminated on trunk and hatch lids.  The 1975 Astre, introduced in the United States September 1974, gave U.S. Pontiac dealers a  needed fuel efficient subcompact. A budget "S" series was added during 1975. More than 267  changes were made including new High-energy electronic ignition system and a catalytic  converter. Power brakes and a tilt steering wheel were new options. The Astre Panel delivery was discontinued the end of the model year. A unique Astre package was offered in 1975. Dubbed the 'Lil Wide Track, it was the creation  of Jerry Juska of Dymar to help with lackluster Astre sales. Juska took his ideas to Dave  Landrith of Motortown Corporation specializing in custom auto work. The package includes a  front air dam, rear spoiler, appliance wire mag rims, window louvers, a chrome exhaust tip,  and bright stripe decals for the hood, body sides, rear spoiler, door handles, and wheel  centers. They assembled a couple of cars in Jan. and Feb. 1975 and took pictures to local  Detroit dealers where the package gained acceptance. It added a little over $400 to the price of the Astre but dealers felt the difference in looks was worth the price. Production was later switched from an old warehouse in suburban Detroit to a factory beside the Lordstown  Assembly Vega/Astre plant. An estimated 3,000 Lil Wide Track Astres were ordered by  dealerships. The package components were later offered as a dealer installed kit.  Astres were confined to a single series for 1976, but they were refined with extensive  engine, chassis, and body integrity improvements. A modest facelift included a revised grill.  The 2.3 L engine, named Dura-built 140, received improved cooling and durability  refinements, and a five years/60,000 mile warranty. The chassis received the new Pontiac  Sunbird's upgraded components including the box-section front cross-member, larger rear  brakes and torque-arm rear suspension, replacing the four-link design, and effectively  eliminating wheel-hop on rough roads. The body received extensive anti-rust improvements.  The last-of-the-line 1977s were treated to Pontiac's new 151 cu in "Iron Duke" inline-four  engine. Both the cylinder block and cylinder head are cast-iron. Standard in the Astre and  Sunbird, they were the first GM vehicles to utilize the engine which was widely used into the  1990s. 1977 Astre models also featured a new vertical design grill and aluminum wheels (13-  inch) were a new option. The "Formula" option was also introduced for the Astre's final year,  which included the handling package, chrome valve cover, three-piece spoiler, Formula T/A  steering wheel and special decals. The 1978 and '79 Pontiac Sunbird wagon was a rebranded continuation of the Astre wagon,  continuing with a modified 1977 Astre grille rather than taking on the Sunbird coupes' square  headlights and flat hood. 

Reviews

Car and Driver in a 1975 Astre road test, said, "For $180 over the price of a Vega, the Astre  features upgraded interior trim-primarily the items for which Chevrolet charges $134 in their  custom interior. You also have the opportunity to go one big step up in luxury if you choose  the SJ line which is available in hatchback and wagon body styles."  Car and Driver in a 1977 Astre road test, said, "The Astre is the Vega-polished and refined and  significantly improved, but still a Vega in perhaps its ultimate state of development..It  remained for Pontiac to do what Chevrolet probably should have done in the first place: the  substitution of the marvelous old Chevy II cast-iron four-cylinder econo-motor for the much-  troubled aluminum-block Vega engine. Sliding in and starting the engine was a revelation  because its so quiet and smooth compared to the Vega. Also the Astre's interior trim was  judged more plush than Vega's. Car and Driver in its 35th anniversary issue in 1990, amusingly recalled the Astre U.S. debut:  "Detroit Fights Back - The Pontiac Astre is introduced. It's a Vega with better decals."

1975

Engine 2,3 litres 4 cylinders Lenght 4,48 m Widht 1,66 m The collections Astre was bought new with all available options.